The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-01
THE CRISIS.


The letter of our esteemed correspondent
"PrnLIc EcoSoNisT," published in the pre-
sent number Of the ADVOCATE, deserves the
careful and prayerful attention Of every
true reformer. II Is the production Of one
who Is a thorough master Of the subject
OF which be treats, and whose experience
and practical ability entitle his opinion to
the highest consideration. Independent of
these merits, however, it deserves atten.
ton, because il gives expression to the 10
cressing popular feeling that the interests
Of the country have been too long cCntided
20 rs custody Of the money power, and
that II we would preserve the institutions
Of q republican government a radical change
IN our financial system must be secured.
The eriSis-for such it surely is that is
now upon us-must be met whether we
VIII or no. Upon the intelligence and
ability Of the American people to meet this
criSis-hangs the fate OF popular govern
nent both ID the Old and new worlds. Thus
it Is necessary, nay Indispensable, they
should thoroughly understand the import
anee Of the issue involved. II must have
been evident 10 the most superficial OBJ
server-that for years past our whole poll.
'ical machinery has been manipulated by
the Stewards, and BelmontS' and that our
legislators have but re-echoed their sent
ments and pandered TO their uuholy desires
IL is well known that Gen. Grant was no
minated BY the monied kings Of Wall street
months before the Chicago farce was enact
ed, while il is equally true that the Tam.
many ring was controlled by the same
peri icious influence. Under the excite
ment Of n political contest, the leaders
were able to duDe the masses, while they
carefully masked the villainy concealed IN
der the good-lord and good-des phrase
olOgy, yclept-R platform
But no sooner had success crowned the
efforts Of the dominant partY-tban its true
purposes were revealed, and Congress
the most venal which ever disgrsced our
legislative hAls-made indecent haste to
throw itself At the feet Of the spoier, and
under the specions pretence Of preserving
the national faith, sanctioned the most
damnable fraud ever perpetrated On a free
people.
Man proposes, but God disposes-And
mskes even the wrath Of man 10 praise
him. The very measure which they
fondly hoped would settle once and forever
the ''vexed question" has been the means OF
arousing popular sentiment Ii is the
feather which has broken the camers back
With the consummation Of their villainy,
has come a terrible revulsion IN popular
sentiment paruzanship has lost its charms;
dsuust and alarm bas taken possessio, Of
the public mind; q feeling Of insecurity
prevails, the future looks dark and dubious;
the sober, second thought has convinced
the masses that a terrible blunder has been
committed, while the cry is heard on sll
sides: "Vhat shall zee do % be sared 20
The cloud Of liquidation, which hss re-
Gently appeared in the horizon, porten1s
no good 70 those who have been in haste
70 be Gu, at the expense Of the people,
and lether that cloud shall eorer he
hsarc.S-depends entirely on their future
action. II they are wise in time. all may
be well. II the pound Of flesh is exacted
the cry which startled the French mon
arch-wll assuredly ring ii their ears-Too
LATE-Too LATE.
Strange as 1t may seem, enc Of the chief
dangers against which the National Labor
Union must guard lis the result which
viii necessarily flow out Of he prevalence
Of their feelings. SO long as the move
ment was IN its infancy, il was -despised
and rejected Of men; saeer or an insulting
paragraph being considered ample recognl-
ton BY cur party tosdies. Now that It be-
gins 70 assume the Importance its merits de-
msnd, converts thick and fast will pour to
its standard. Some, like Sprague or Cary,
viii no doubt be aciuated by sincere and
patriotic impulses, being able to rise above
the dictates Of party; but the greater num-
Der, there Is reason to believe, will be inau-
enced by soTdid motives; by a desire
&c ride into popular favor by espousng q
popular cause. This threatened epa must
Be guarded against; these wolves in sleeps
clothing must be watched, and their designs
exposed.
Under these circumstance, the duty Of
every member of the Labor Union is plain
and unmistakabe. 1t is 20 adhere to bis
sheet-anchor-the declaration Of principles
adopted at Chicago, ard raused at New
York. L is sound and unass4ilable; and
furnishes the remedy for the evils which
now threaten to engulph ne. Fellow citi-
zens, in spite Of the fraud Of the so-called
''pu5lIc credit bill, J" ard the per6dy Of our
legislators, these principles are destined 70
emsncipate the toiling millions from the
domination Of capital, and secure to them
their inalienable God. given rights. The
public press has wisely come 70 the couclu
sion to let hem severely alone, because
Investigation and Exposure (S'') lie all that
10 required 10 commend them 20 the endorse
ment of the American people. But if
cannot avert, though it may postpone
he exposure. This secuTed--and Our fond
est sntic ations will be realized, and the
disenthralment Of labor scc0mplis he'd.
-~~e----
r The DayY Lamp.
An interesting article from q Pennsylva-
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