The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-16
THE DUTIES OF AMERICAN ME-
CHANICS--I.

cuples a hlgher place IN American
society than anywhere else. Ourgreat
war, ostensibly waged for the restora-
ton Of the Union, was in fact a strug-
gle between free labor and capital in
the shape Of men-owners and southern
land monOpolists, commonly called
planters. Free labor has been victori-
GUS, and if it only knows to follow up
its victory to its Legitimate consequen-
ces, to change society in the South
from its worse than degraded condi-
ton, into body Of independent work
men and free holders, it then might
concentrate to deal with capital in its
northern shape-manufacturiDg lords,
land spectators, railroad and transpor-
tation companies 1t would succeed
in rendering capital the servant Of
labor, intead of its master; it would
get at the head of affairs, instead of
staying always at the foot of the
ladder, in the very mudsills, on
which a do-nothing stratum spreads
itself in most astonishing dimensions.
What splendid opportunities, what
grand destiny awaits the American
workman if he only is true to his best
interests, or does hundredth part SC
much as one of our common politicians
does TO improve his chances for presi-
dent, or United States senator, or
even constable. What the working
men in Europe consider as il were the
end Of their efforts-universal suffrage
the right of forming associations of all
kinds, a free homestead, cheap land
and high wages, all these are now al.
ready at the command Of the American
workman. There is therefore no ex-
cuse for him, if he nevertheless does
not raise himself to higher position,
yes, to the highest position in American
society. But in spite of all these ad,
-vantages American labor is tagging
behind that Of other countries, much
less favorably conditioned. In Eng.
land, till lately it is true, Z ere
has been no elective franchise
for the workman, st'n they have
been known to compel parliament tc
give more attention to the interests o.
cooperative societies than our law
makers here ever dreamt Of. Specia
acts have been passed to enable such
societies TO do business in the most ad.
ysntageOus manner, to secure their
claims, to render them landholders, etc.
Then there are millions Of pounds in
vested in cooperation, while we cannot
show our hundred thousands Of dollars.
Cooperative shops of many kinds have
been established years ago, and are
progressing, and capital in some in
stances has seen fl to recognize labor
as entitled 10 the net profits of the
common product OF both fActors-cap-
ital and labor
In Germany, credit has been or
ganized in the interest of labor, so as
to enable it to keep up its head against
capital, trying to break down all small
establishments and 10 swallow up
everything into factories Of colossal
diminsions. Associations for purchas-
ing all kinds ofraw material for trades.
men at Wholesale prices are in success
full operation, while in the United States
there can scarcely be found ten CO.
operative boot maker shops or tailoring
establishments. Why is this? Why
don't American mechanics perform by
a few strides the work to do which
years were consumed by the European
workmen? Let US consider some Of
the principal obstacles to the progress
Of American labor. There is among
many an ignorance of the destiny of
labor. Not few consider labor a ne
cessary evil, from which to escape into
the ranks of oilers is thought the great
est good fortune that can befall them.
It is for this reason that people crowd
into every other other business rather
than work at trade. When a me-
chanic has earned . few hundred dol
lars, he sets up store, he buys bar
rel of lager and opens a saloon; he
when Of political turn, applies for
the Office of janitor, lamplighter
or constable under some corpora
ton. These mechanics, who by stay
ing in the ranks of labor, could do them
such signal service, on account of their
savings and general excellency, prefer
to desert their brethren, even live at
their expense, join the class Of mere
consumers, non-producers, exploiters
of labor. Money and idIeness is esti-
mated higher than labor. This great
disease of our age is the greatest lion
in the pathway of labor, and to cure it
requires the combined efforts of wisdom
and workmen.
Another obstacle is the corruption,
worked by politics and politicians
among the masses People have been
accustomed to look on every new move
ment, as plan or scheme of somebody
to sail into power and money; people