The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-09-04
WAsnNoroN, Aug. "a, 1869.


WAsnNGroN, Aug. "a, 1869.
AZ. gIitor Of the WoRKNGNAS's ADVOCATE:
DOES IT LOOK LIKE EMPIRE,
Here is something important to working
MON and demands their thoughtful stten-
linn. If there be danger to the Republic,
,one 50 able to avert il as the WorkingmeD,
and none will suffer so severely in case Of
evolutionary disaster, as the working class
e.
First lo,k 1T this extract from Annual
Report Of our lamented President, Sylvis
M. Maguire's letter TO President Grant,
.ritten at nv request, has proved 4 very
salnable document This letter as written
a,s11,ous 10 t6e fourth Of March, beheving
INV tbe President was in sympathy with
,bs people, and would be induced to say
.omstbing in bis inaugural address that
would give hope and encouragement. Mr..
Mcguire presented the letter 10 person, and
asked a careful reading. 10 a few DAYS be
called upon the President, and was surprised
10 learn that be bad not only not read the
letter at all, but that be repudiGted the
Whole Lb01 mocement, and was in full sym
latby with The money power"
To what unmistakable end does this treat
mept Of MaguUes letter, by General Grant,
look 2 Does there not begin to be seen,
that there YVES more Significance, than ap-
feared at first thought, in the sh1ewd and
taliag remark, Of Grant" Let US have
peace? The great Napoleon, said, after
gaining military power and renOwn-'f The
Empire is peace r.
Thinking people, who we're not personally
interested, we're surprised and staggered at
seeing the new President make up bis Cab
met from the rich aristUcracy they could
not reconcile it With the consistency Of a
Republican Government. But then they ex-
cused it, on the ground Of gratitude to those
nOnied nahobs for the rich gifts they had
given him. But it begins to leak out, from
iBcautiOus remarks Of some OF those in the
secret, that those very gifts we're made rs
stepping stones TO dazzle and RatteF bin q
that direction. But a little clause in the
Constitution wisely stood as barrier ia
be way, Of some, for the time being, 10
imperial projects. And it is observed, too,
hat the open advocates Of supplanting our
Democratic Government by empire, are out
spoken eulogists of Grant-and express
confidence in him. Yet the project has been
kept 50 well 10 the shade, that even the
acute n. I. Herald does net seem to have
smelled it Out-at least, not to have pro-
lhesyed it though it is thought BY some
hat IapeI will soon publish a strong leader,
Developing the tendencies of scheme to
declare for Empire unless, as others sus-
pecti such lnducement is offered the publish
II, as will secure the silence-or open sup
POil-of that plastic and convertible sheet.
coup De etat, Of this sort, is not regar-
Jed, as impossible, by many close intelli-
gent observers, about the Capital; and 1t
lebooyes the working men and all lovers Of
Republican Government, to look we'll to
'hs matter, and be prepared 20 act bravely
and promptly. Only few days since, in
c'hversatlUn with one Of the open advocates
for empire, be said-'' we have no fear Of
Grant lie is all right; and the right man
10 the right place" OF course, was some
what staggered-and be proceeded to sug-
gCst the following as some of the signs
which foreshadow such result, and which
certainly should arrest the attention Of la
boring men.
|. Placing so many of the rich and veal
tly men in and at the heads Of department.
" Bureaus, and the constant counting Of tie
ati.t0craGg.
;. lsnCring 60 many of the really loyal
'Oi brave officers who fought to save the ma
ulD by not appointing them to important
POSITIONS in Government, except such a.
have all along been the secret councillors
and advocates Of the President.
). Continuing the office or rank Of general
Of the army in time Of peace, at great ex-
Tense to the people, when we had and need ed
none, even in time Of war-thus increasing
Tie numbers Of high rank, who would be in
'erested IN such an enterprise
a. Appointing as commanders of military
n. nets, only such generals as are known TO
oe favorable to lbe Presidents policy, add
his peculiar views
D. the tenacity with which be insists upon
ne supremacy Of military over the civil
authority, IL several sections of the union,
ana Insisting On the trial BY military courts
and commissions those not belonging to, OF
serving in the army.
y Inc refusal 10 encourage or sympathise
with other peoples, as tb Irish, the Italians,
.ue Cooans, and others, who are struggling
~ iioerty and Republication, against the
slfaldom and oppression of monarchies, and
otuly arstocrats and monopolists.
DO not these thin0S Sho7y tho.. -. -
enlncance IN the Let Us have peace" and
LIZ appointment Of rich, aristocratic cabi.
ue"' man appeared at first blush Be.
ues was their ever an administration in ouI
1ountry which showed 50 little regard for
III humble and the laboring classes, OF
"uiTu spent SO much time 10 running around
" al fashionable places, cour;ing and being
Ioul'eu by the aristocracy, the bankers
,ISuu-noiuers, and other monOpoliSts Was
eVer time when there was - much
ptOulsai expenditure for display and luxury
@OOu' Inc Capital, as now, and when The
pSSOpie are grooming under debt Of taxes
''isF destructive and mourAful war?
IA enough certainly, is specified to admon
IN people, and particularly the toilin!
Unions, 10 look well to their liberties, anC
u, 4gason see to 1t, that their own voter I'D
tba;. ue,eaIter place the imperial yoke upon
no o"h necks. And these who deem
VIII TocIanc Government worth preserving
~ ~ ny o4ndly slumber, while the insideou
lbs y forging the monarchial chains 70,
inc r limbs limbs, and with SO much light break
TIM Spon them, with SO many signs Of tbl
sSs'ing their shadows before
On j soie'nnly, who can be depended u \
the S'ag This fearful tendency? Who, ID
stn "SSl1ing classes They who have an
On u y leed the eOple can be depended ul'
st,sU sSVe the nation. The toilers who,
e,s'n mas made the wealth of the Coz
"'' 10 also able to resist usurpatiOn.