The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-06-25
FROM ILLINOIS.
DECATUR, June Is, 1870


To the Editor Of the woRKNcxANs ADVOCATE.
The minds Of men, when they are
used as freely and unrestrainedly as
possible, tend to something new-bet-
ter; to improvement and progress
Everything that has elevated the con-
dition Of man above brutes, aided him
in using the productions of nature for
his pleasure and profit, enables him
partially to control the brutal selfish.
ness of his fellow man all the admit
ed facts in science, law, morals, all the
result of proposing and investigating
new uses and principles.
Most every age has had its free, bold,
and studious, investigating minds !;
into every possible page Of the great
book before US, and striving for grand
secrets for useful and practical ideas
They have been the hard workers, pio-
neers, martyrs in every cause on earth
Who can imagine or describe what
would be the condition of mankind to-
day, had there been no studious philos-
ophers, free, noble and brave souls,
who dared to think, speak and act
against the established usages and doc
trines of their times. For, after all
that has been done for the race on
earth, what horrible scenes are vet Wis
ible. What terrible corruption poisons
the minds Of @sR Eh2 sh0Vl4h he sS Rte
less millions are yet worse off than
brutes. ignorant, oppressed, miserable
tools, for that internal seltishness which
knows no satisfaction. Who dare
claim that any of the great and good
principles have that practical result
reasonable men ought to realize. Is not
the simple golden rule, and the plain
truths of the Bible, made the source Of
great ecclesiastical powers, that Cypress
the masses, hinder science and real pro-
gress? Are not the principles Of po-
litical liberty, and all scientific i'm
provements, mOnopolized for the bene
mt of few; even in bossting Amer
lea, after nearly one hundred years of
so-called democracy?
The picture presented to any think
ing person is really horrible, disgrace
full to mankind and civilization, saving
nothing of Christianity, which claims
so much more than all other powers on
earth. But there is yet an inclination,
tendency, to better, more reasonable,
practical things among the common
people. And all experience proves,
that IN order to forward the cause, some
ne" use of known principles or ner
doctrines must be taught, believed and
practiced.
The leaders of to-day, of all organi-
zatlons,are satisfied-except the Demo
Gratis not in office-because they have
realized, and wish to continue the ad-
vantages they enjoy. They stand in
the way of true, real advance in any
line, and must be passed by, run over
If necessary; not destroyed, but left as
land marks, Of past sad experiences.
The question l would propose at this
time is, what new ideas or principles
are necessary, and would be most prac-
teal, to enable the classes SO deeply
interested, to gain the very important
political measures proposed by the Ia
Dor reform party?-
1t seems to me, we need some prac-
teal philosopher to discover and ex-
plain the ideas or principles that will
make common people realize their con-
dit Dn,and improve their opportunities;
the glorious circumstances attending
US. We want some bold navigators to
set sail out Of the darkness and misery
hanging over this sea of life, away
from the meanness, humbug and cor
ruption, which endangers every mortal,
and wrecks and destroys so manv. We
want somebody or something to show
the way to that real Gland Of peace and
plenty" where health, virtue, intelli-
gence, progress, shall be the general
condition where the selfshness Of men
shall be controlled, and the troubles of
to day known only as terrible things of
the past
If all known facts and principles
claimed to be good, are not bumbugs
it is within the reach Of the mind Of
man to cure the present disorder. Let
US have some ideas on the question
for the good Of the cause
al J,ht n,ore lfght xhan that shaiI ne