The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-05

The wholesome system Of the separate
rearing of families being snnihilated
by swarming in hotels and fostering in
tenement houses, there to breed, Of ne
cessity, moral and physical pessilence
to decimate the youth Of our cities.
Women driven into crime by starva-
ton in 90 great numbers that, in more
than one State, lawmakers, calling
themselves Christians, have debated
the policy of legalizing prostitution.
Under all this mass of misery may oc-
casionally be heard the groanings of
the masses Of the people, smartiDg
under the invidious distinctions made
between the rich and the poor by odious
and partial money laws, and perisblng
under the burden of taxation hurled
upon them by the Government they
lately so freely offered their lives to
save.
But, thanks be to Providence, there
is silver lining to these clouds, an
other view to be taken of the age in
which we live. AZ in Israel of yore,
there are thousands, yea, hundreds of
thousands, who will not bow the knee
to Baal. The temperance reformers,
with banners flying, are entering the
political field the claim of woman to
be recognized as a political and legal
entity, endorsed by the action of the
Labor Congress, is advancing to q sure
triumph. The New England Labor
League is attacking the claim of money
to usury or interest by which workers
are now robbed Of the larger part Of
the proceeds Of their tolls, and on
which the infamous national debt sys-
tenn is based. In Russia, England,
Ireland and the Southern States the
land question il sssuming gigantic pro-
portions and demanding . just solu-
ton. TO these may be added the
peace philosophers, who question the
policy Of converting workers into SOL
diers, producers into vicious and
wastefnl consumers, and who deplore
the worse than wasted human genius
which 10 employed in devis;ng and per-
fecting Implements Of destruction.
Last, but not least, the old army of the
Abolitionists have, in their oracle, the
Standard, declared their intention Of
enlisting for the war, and they may
now be seen under their leader, Wen
dell Phillips, their Transforms at their
lips. ready to blow them before the
walls Of the Jericho that covers and
shields all the evils Of The age, having
faith, hope and determination to wait
until, like those Of old slavery, they
crumble before them into shapeless
ruins.
1t il evident that all those who are
training to carry the above reforms are
soldiers Of one army. Let us hope they
will be content to take their proper po-
sitions under the broad banner of the
Labor Union In the coming Presiden-
tial campaign Of 1872. The principles
they advocate have already been en-
dorsed by the actions and resolutions
of the Labor Union reformers in Con-
gress assembled. Workingmen rejoice
TO honor temperance, charity, right
eousness, peace and justice, and such
these movements seek to establish
8luOuEBG U.s. IL OuE l060oLb ui@W WIG
lines Us they ought, there will be in the
field only two parties in our next cleo
ton to decide the destinies Of the ma
ton. Let them collect and arrange
their forces so that it shall be what it
is, q battle between the laborers and
the oilers ON our side, all those who
give the world their works in return
for the cost Of their existence; on the
side Of the foe, those who render the
world no tangible returns for the shell
ter they require, the clothes they wear,
and the food they consume; idlers and
schemers who live by sponging an ex-
istence out Of the earnings Of their
neighbors. Such being the case, if we
are only true to the cause, and true to
ourselves, our wives, and our children,
it were sin to doubt but that our side
will be victorious in the encounter.
r. W. HUME.