The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-12-18
LONDON. Nov. 10, 1869

TO the Editor Of the WosEIsesAS's ADvacArs.
We are quite alive here in relation to a
number Of questions. each Of which is Of
great importance. As the session approach
es and as the agitation in ireland proceeds,
the feelings Of landlords and tenants become
more angry in their antagonism. Several
landlords have taken their stand on the ten
ants side, whilst on the other side there IL
nothing but landlord alarm and the ignor.
ance Of several Of the London papers.
which are fighting hard fight for what they
call the rights of property. 1t is but
justice, however, to say on behalf of the
Times that it is avoiding an extreme
course and limiting, rather than openly de-
claring in favor Of improved tenures and the
establishment of some tribunal, the special
business of which shall be to adjudcare on
such disputes as may arise between land
lords and tenants. This is the good Eng
lish PIan-preserve the wrong and set up a
lot Of lawyers to put it right, instead Of lay
ing the axe vigorously to the root and BY
leve'ing the abuse to the earth render law
yers, with their quibbles, chicanery and
fraudulent costs, unnecessary. 1t is to be
hoped that Mr.. Gladstone is not going to be
led into such a mistake. but rather that,
with courage and the wise insight Of q
statesman, be will deal with the matter 10
such way as to give Irish tenants security
without the Intervention of lawyers. ANY
half-measure in ireland, at this moment,
would be grievous biunder. To genera
tons yet unborn, It would be crime.
The Fenian difficulty is not yet done
with though no doubt it Is pass .ng out Of
its dangerous phase. The London Amnesty
Committee has dissolved, and in Ireland
such action as is taken is degenerating into
violence, and this violence, curiously
enough, is directed against the tenant-right
party. There is stupidity in this that de-
ties any kind Of reasonable explanation. II
'liscredits the expression Of public opinion
in Ireland, and weakens il ON all public
matters and it Onl y fastens up more ef
fectually the prison doors of the F,nian
captives. A rage so blind cannot he reas-
oned with, and there is nothing for it but
TO give it time, and, like the passion Of
children, it will die out. In the present
temper Of the English Government and
people, any concession might be had, if
looked for in a reasonable spirit, but the
most generous givers hesitate and hold their
hands when free-wil offerings arc attempted
to he turned into compulsory concessions.
The Education question in England il
just now exciting most lively discussion.
Its enemies allege that national education
in America has been a signal failure and
that just now strong public demand is be-
ing made to have it shifted on to the de-
nominational ground. Bishop Ullathorne.
Roman Catholic prelate in the midland
counties. has been addressing large meet
ing Of his own people in Birmingham and
denouncing the Education League as pro-
noting goddess. unchristian scheme, and
in doing this be is but following the exam
pie set him by the leaders in some of the
dissenting bodies, who do not believe 10 an.
system of education in which their influence
is not predominant They are very tolerant
Of ignorance if it believes-very intolerant
Of education if it should not believe. The
nation teels. however, that it has neglected
the work Of instruction too long. and it is to
be hoped that it will disregard the absurd
allegations and denunciatons of men who
put the interest of their sect above that of
their country.
Amidst all this discussion and turmoil,
the Trades Unionists are coming in for
their share Of condemnation. Day by day
the general public see more clearly the
reasonableness and propriety of such associa-
tons. But as public enlightenment in
creases the anger Of the employing cla>s
grows with It, especially with those 10 whose
minds the old prejudices linger. The accu-
sations made against trades associations are
Of the most serious kind. 1t is hnted on
every possible opportunity that they covert
ly bel eve in and, when occasion serves, re !
snrt TO the methods of coercion adopted in
Sh' field; that, by 'Overchargng for their
labor, they are driving the trade out Of the
country; that in fact, they are running every
branch e manufacture. destroying the ma
tons industrial superiority. and at the same
time stupidity beggaring themselves by
driving away employment.
In reply to this, there is much to be said ,
It is, in fact, easy enough of refutation; but,
un Unfortunately. 10 get this together and put \
It into argumentatve form requires time. \
trouble and skill, and the trades unionists \
as bodies, have given very little attention to
it. Hence. as a rule. however stupid and
unreasonable, it goes for the most part IN
contradicted, and, if it does no worse, it |
confu.es the public mind and permits errors
to exist that little trouble, methodicalIy
and wisely taken, would destroy.
A good deal ght be said as to the
kind Of information trades unionists should /
give to the public, but the subject is so
large and has so many points of eOnside-
ration belonging to it, that it would be a
waste Of time to attempt to touch il at
the tail end Of letter | shall. however,
return to the subject again and jot down
a few heads Of subjects which, If attend
ed to and properly elaborated. would be
of considerable use to members of trades
societies in fighting the great battle in
which they are engag d.
There is vacancy now in the repre-
sentation Of The metropolitan borough Of
Southwark, and a public meeting Is 10 be
held tomorrow to decide whether or not a
candidate should tie brought
out. There seems to be a strong de>i1e in
"a vor of such a step. WILL l.