The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-08-21

ton is compelled to relinquish its lust com
Pensation to the excessive deman 10 Of money
for its compensation. My reflections brought
me to the conclusion that there wac no lust
reason why We shoul | not be able 10 place
our productions on the markets Of the world
as cheaply as the people of any other coun-
try, and give labor its just comp .nsation
| too
Even then, ] would not have entered on
the course | have, il the condition Of our
labOring people were not likely to be vastly
superior TO that of the laboring people with
whom would compete with lnw production,
| for this competition might result in a reduc
ton Of the compensation OF labor. But
saw check upon such . result in the easy
resort OF labor to our cheap lands and il
just compensation could not be accorded to
it in mechanical, manufacturing, and com
mercsl pursuits, there was this vast field
left open TO il, which would be sure to afford
just rewards as well Is prevent any subor.
d;natioh Ut labor to the interests | have
named.
These, and many other considerations
which | will not now take your time to de-
scribe, exercised their great influence upon
me. | gave utterance TO my views 1t the
earliest IN oment thought they would avail
anything. There was no place for them in
the public mind during the war; no Place
lor them 10 the canvas resulting IN the cleo
ton OF Grant, or during the controversy
with President johnson. There would be no
place Tor them during the existence of any
exciting and heated political struggle. !
have, therefore, taken . time when the pub
nc mind was free from controversy and free
to reflect On the situation Of the country.
u ours 10 the peoples government there can
De no lear In giving to the people q true in
sight into their Affairs. [ did not think
vas doing anything particularly unusual or
particularly bold.
Nevertheless, they are before the people |
aad they must sand and must be subject /
20 attacks, but If those who attack me knew |
how little regard their attacks they would |
not waste pen and paper upon me moment
longer. understand perfectly the price Of
pens and ink, and Of the hands that WELD
them, and the character Of The men who
employ them. At the same time 4 am not
blind to the iact that, however ] NAV esteem
them. the great majority OF the American
people get their ideas from this corrupt and
inefficient source.
Since writing the above I have glanced
hastily over the newspaper article YOU sent
me. | can say that there is no foundation
10 any OF its charges. All the means that
have ever had at my disposal have been used
in the creation Of industries for the employ
Dent Of the people, and challenge compar-
ison 10 respect Of better wages or better liv-
ing, on the part OF employees in the various
interests Of which have charge, with those \
Of any other employer in this or any other
country.
prefer, however, that all 10 ,tters affect
ng me personally shall be left to their own
course, and that the ideas and views have !,
expressed shall have weight and be can
'assed, accepted or rejected, just as the best
interests of the people shall seem to de-
nand.
Thanking you for your letter and its en- u
losure, and hoping to receive from you such
urther communications rs the interests of I
hese views call for, !.
am, very respt ctfuily, :.
Your obcdient servant, al
W. SPRAGUs. W
?. H. SYLvIs, Pres't Nat. Labor Union.