The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
fHE Boss-The other day, while passing .

|
corner on the West Side, where row Of CIT
tages we're being erected, We found everybody
Dusty employed. except ONE MAN, and that usan,
it Is needless to add, was the boss vet
strange to add, this professional whittier.
whose only occupation seemed to be to watch
the men," will make ten dollars OF the erection
OF these buildings, for one that will fed liz
way TO the pocket of the journeyman carpen-
Ter. Now, suppose these men had become
their own employers-had contracted to do the
work on their own account-th ten dollars
which now goes into the pocket Of the drone,
would 60 in another direction, while his SER
vices could be pro6tably dispensed with.
ADDRESS to THE CoLoaKD VorKRs OF CooK
COUNTY AT q meeting Of the LGbor League
Of Ihis city, held at Trades Assembly Hall, on
Thursday evening. April 2sth, the following ad-
dress to the eolored voters of Chicago, was
unanimously adopted:
FELLow CITIZENS: At q recent meeting Of
the National Labor Union of Chicago, held at
Trades Assembly Hall, the undersigned were
appointed q committee to prepare and present
an address TO the colored voters Of Cook Coun-
~ /; 70 assure you Of the kindly sympathy Of our
members: to present to your consideration the
principles Of the National Union, and to Sc
cure aid and cooperation in carrying
them into practical effec..
The objects, and the only objects Of
our organization is to secure q more equitable
distribution Of the products Of labor among
those who create them-to secure to the laborer
the fruits of his industry. We recognize the
existence of but two classes-the robbers and
the robbed, the men who labor and the men
who live of the products Ut others labor and
10 this classification, we make no distinction in
color, nativity, or sex. With one Of these
classes your interests are identified. The
issues and the isms Of the past have been swept
away, and decided by that tribunal from which
there can be no appeal-the arbitrameat of the
sword the national authority has been re-
established over every rood Of American soil,
and the Star Spangled Banner floats once more
in undisputed triumph from the Kennsbec to
the Rio Grande. With these changes have
come new duties and new responsibilities, and
at this period of transformation, upon the
ability Of the working classes to discern and their
courage to enforce a recognition of their rights,
depends the perpetuity Of our republican insti-
tutions In . contest Of such magnitude and
involving such interests, we cannot for . mo.
ment believe that you will pursue the suicidal
policy Of casting your lot with your enemies,
men who have denied to their own kindred and
race, their God-given rights who, by sys-
TEN of unjust class legislation, have deprived
the toier OF the fruits of his labor ; aud whose
lease of power depends on its continu lnce,
will deal more justly with the colored race
The monied aristocracv, which now shapes and
controls the legislation of the country, the most
heartless and exactIng OF despots, is a power
that must be crushed at all hazards. So long
as this element ontinues to exercise its over
shsdowing influence in our State and National
Councils, the interests of the producing classes
will be ignored, the rich will grow richer, and
the poor will grow poorer. The interests of
labor must be represented by those taken from
its own ranks. The leaders of both parties
the Democratic and Republican-are simply
the mouthpieces and representatives of capital.
On all questions affecting the distinctive in
terests of labor, the past has found them con-
sistent and persistent foes. As they have been
in the past, they will doubtless continue to be
in future, % there Is nothing to hope from this
quarter. To secure success, however, the
and act with harmony. Our interests are your
interests-your interests are ours !; neii aer can
afford to take an antagonistic position to the
other.A
The action Of the National Labor Congress
at Philadelphia, in admitting colored delegates
from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, on
terms Of perfect equality with the white repre-
sentatives, must convince the most skeptical
that we are sincere in our declarations, while
from present indications, nearly every Southern
State will be represented at the Annual Con-
vention to be held in Cincinnati in August
next, and in that body you are cordially in
vited to be represented.
Friends, it ia now for you to act The issue
has been made up. Our programme-lands for
tie lsndess; the substitution Of q national
currency, receivable for all debts, public and
private bearing 9 just rate of interest, in
place of the present swindling National Bank
ing system, by which labor is robbed, the
shortening Of the hours Of labor, the establish
ment Of cooperative enterprises, BY which the
services of the mi idleman can be dispensed
Wish the enforcement Of the Law prohibiting
the importation of Coole labor, and the
abolition of class legislation, is one which we
b-Iieve, must and will command your judg-
ment. Is is more than probable at the next
election, ticket representing the interest Of
the working classes, will be placed in the fs'd,
when we trust, it will receive from our colored
cit ixens hearty and undivided support.
A. c. CAMERON,
FRED RETZ