The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-08-14

til lied 70 other duties, and with which ne
was identified in sous way ~ 70 Tho very
horr ofhi death. He learned verv soon
to overcome be early disadvsntsgss By hard
study. A close ohssrver q tie Sntision OF
bis feIlow-crnfssnBsn, he waz not longi0 the
,ourneym man ranks befoJe hs orgnnsxs d n
protective unfon, she drss In . tr&de that
nov his sos6e twsnty-ay thousand UNION
lists. 1t was az secretary Of this original
unson that he 6rst learned 70 write At
P6iladelphia he became president Of the
IRON mOulders Of that city, and when the
Infsrnationalt U0ien vac orgsnizsd, became
il presldent, which offce be continued ~
hold until death.
Bot NJ. 8. was much more thaa ana emf
nent trade unionist. His mind was an &C
tive, searching. Osgseising one, and-bebiad
il were traits Of physiqus, temperament and
character which would not allow him to rest
content with anything merely sissopary 10
It's nature. AaYthing that he believed would
exall and honor the labor cause enlisted 1t
once his Eost absorbing energies. He vas
one Of the first ia seizs upon the idea OF a
common Eorkipgmea's national organize
tiOB, a. measure for the removal of trade
iealousies, aud the coacentration Of power for
purposes Of political reform 10 the interests
Of the people Of the country, who produced
its wealth, and were entitled to share equlta-
bly, in ,ts material glories. Hence, be at
once became identified With and power 10
the National Labor Union. The prominence
given to the financial plank in its platform
vas largely due to his efforts. 10 the inter-
ests of the union, he travelled, organic d,
made public addresses. conferred with infu-
entail men, wrote and stndled. In every
respect hs made . most tfEcient president
His pen and bis efforts we're always Ut COM
maDd where there was conflict or peril. He
bad both persistency and geaius. HIS
studies ranged through the whole field OF
PoiiIicn economy, ami has plans were upon
an almost gigantic scale No disappsint-
ment vverpo wered, no difficulty staggered
him. Monetary sciences aud cooperation
we're his spscialities at the time Of his death
His articles upon the former were able and
radical wh:le IA the latter q I'd, he was ea-
gagged upon the details OF = scaems for d
chain Of cooperative foundilss strstcAing
across the country. as a4
While many representatives of the oapi-
talist press have consigned the news Of his
demise to paragraph, Others give bis name
spprecistlys mention. Oae paper slludes
70 him as ono Of the most intelligent work
,ngmen this century has produced I; while
still another aft rms. from intimate acq aaint-
ance, that few IL any men 10 these later days
can pass from the stage of action with clean
or hands or purer heart.
His private liie il described as having
been noble, genial, and generous. His fami-
", though stricken with great sorrow, are
lett in comfortable circumstances through
his talents rs a writer, and business man
10 the field Of Journalism as well as from
the salaries attached 60 bis Official 90 sition..
We sntjpin the following letter, written
by warm personal friend-a gentleman
who has repeatedly written for our columns,
and who has given TO the labor cause ali
that, in his uff1iction Of blIndaess, he could
offer:
70 the Editors OF the Am-rlcin W,rkman.
Oar friend, WIN. ii. Sylsls, President OF
the N ,tiOnal L .bor OuiD1, is no more. Fl 4,
died this morning at six o'clock, of conges-
ZION on the stom lch, as learned from his
clerk, while he was writing the sal news to
mis- partner, Mr.. Cameron. He had been
sick but few days, and was attended by
his friend aud co-lab prer, Richard Trevel-
hcka through us Course anu 10 lts core u
sion, who did what friendship coull. But
weak are the Efforts Of poor man Toe
tear of aft chi IN may soothe the spirit in the
ebb-tIde Of life but neither tears nor signs
may turn It back IRON the deep ocean to
which We are all reced,ng. A bravs son II
America has fallen 10 the prize f his man
hood and noble one is cut of with hi.
foot resting on the threshold Of honor's
temple A G)dcreated soul, with muniti-
cent endowne MS, mas taken its departure
from this world of CD q cts and &C tivities %
one Of wider AMI clearer views, and broader
fields of duty-but duties ever returning
nome with their own celestial rewards.
May his memory AMI example stimulate
others 20 aais OF bravery, jlssics, aad
nobeness Of aims And may g ID, In His
Infinite wisdom and mercy, sustain bis dis
consulate relict in her sal bereavement, aad
keep her little oTes in the arms Of His tea
Ter love; and NAV We all bow in meek sub
MISSION to HIS hdy will.
Respectfully yours,
W III