The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-04-03
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE LABOR UNION
TIT. ADVENT OF SPRING.

AA0N Us QAA InCNn1AASc WIZ udNp 0ICu -
long cut OF employment, will once more be
called upon 10 handle the trOwel and the
plane; the busy hum Of industry viii be
heard throughout the streets and thorough
fares Of our cities, and he professional loafeT
be left all alone in his glory. The effect Of
such long vacation being to demOralize. in
a great measure, our labor organizations, it
is absolutely necessary, for their future eff
cheney, that, with the opening Of the sea
son." the leihargy which has character
ICED them during the winter months should
, be Aba0d oned; that review Of the situA-
ton should be calmly taken; that, where ne
oesssry, a reorganizs ion should be effected,
and that bonds disunIted should once more be
linked together. In short, that the grand
principles embodied in the National Labor
Platform should be re-afhrmed, and renew
81 pledge of devotion to each others interests
obtained.
That such a course cannot fall to be pre-
ductiye Of beneficial results none acquainted
With the characteristics Of workingmen OF
the history Of the labor movement will a.
fec, to deny. It Is an old maxim equally
applicable to organizations as to nations that
the surest way to secure their rights IA to b
prepared 10 enforce them. Memo me impunl
laceSsit," is the motto that made Scotland
respected the world over. because 1t was the
declaration Of men who had demonstrated
that they knew their rights, and were pre-
pared 10 defend them at all hazards-through
veal or through voc. The mechanic who is
ling to entruSt bis interests to the keep.
inE Or magDanimiiy Of bis employer, is either
kuave Or a fool, who shields bis mora
oowardice, by the veil OF plAusbility. Such
creatures are beneath contempt, unworthy
az association with honorable men, with
whom we propose to hold 10 controversy.
The objection, however, urged by another
class-the weak kneeded fraternity that
public demonstration at this season may be
mIsconstrEed into an act. Of bravado, and Is
therefore calculated TO create a false and in
furious impression, Is one unwarranted by
facts or logic. A good beginning generally
nskes a good ending. IF the seasons work
il commenced with thorough understand.
ing between employer and employee, land we
know Of no more eifyctual way Of securing
such understanding, than by public, une-
quivocal declaration Of the strength and aims
Of our several labor organizations), ten
'hances to one but that the entente cordiaIe
VIII remain unbroken to the end Of the chap
ter while 90 The other hand, failure 10 this
direction would be eagerly seized as an evil
jence Of weakness, and the magaanimiiy (2)
referred to BE justly regarded as pusiianm.
10y which invited attack
Instead, therefore, Of being regarded a. an
iaeenttrs to disturbance either by employer
or tmploTe, We hold such display, conducted
with prudence, would be regarded as a grand
preventive, for two reasons: First-By re-
assuring employers that no aggTessions were
intended on their rights, because It Is fair
to presume that men Of prudence would guide
the helm, and consequently no false declars-
lions would be indulged inl, and, Secondly
because the grand lever Of public sympathy
would be enlisted in their support. We know
tits TOO common to indulge ia the bounce thai
such sympathy amounts to Dothiog-tbat
workingmen are entirely independent Of all
outside influence, but such is far from being
the case Many Of the non successful strug
giles il which they have been engaged owe
their failure to this very cause, 50 the sooc.
er the pernicious idea is eradicated the bet
ter.
Moreover, such demonstration furnishes
an opportunity, seldom obtained, Of placing
their designs, demands or grievances before
the community 10 an ineligible manner
as fortunate rivalry compels the press to
give truthful version Of the proceedings,
and this is all the working classes desire.
No matter what the nature Of their comments
may be, let the truth be told; let working
men have an opportunity Of telling their own
story in their own way, and we are perfectly
willing to leave the result in the hands Of 40
intelligent public.
Again, properly conducted, public dem
onstration would be highly beneficial for
another reason. Il is generally customary
before going into action, for q General 20
review bis troops, and make himself prscti-
cslly acquainted with their strength and dis
cipIne, and arrange his line of battle, as far
as practicable, consistent with that know
ledge and, much az the fact may be regret
ted, il is too well known to those whose
hairs have grown grey by honest toll, that
the old, old story is the old, old fight, and
that just in proportion as their forces have
been disciplined and controlled, has success
perched upon their banners. There is no
thing more inspiring TO workingmen in
times of doubt or trial than the sympathy
Of their fellow-toilers. Unaided, the result
of the contest is a foregOne conclusion :.
assisted by the moral and pecuDiary sup
port Of their brother workmen, it is more
than probable their highest ambition will be
realized.
IL Is for these and other reasons that we
rejoice to see desire manifested on the part
of our friends in many quarters to
"awake to newness of life" to rebuckle
on the armor Of faith, and 70 forth in the
battle for the right.
While we have no desire to dictate in any
manner the course to be pursued on such
occasions, it has occurred to 10 that pru-
iential reasons, il no other, suggest the
passage Of q resolution pledRing the honor
OF those assembled, 10 all cases, to Submit
any dispute or controversy which may arise
curing the season to an arbitration com