The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-29
DEMOCRACY VS. REPUBLICANIsM

DEMOCRACY VS. REPUBLICANISM
a recent issue # the San Francisco
Examiner contains an interesting cor
respondeuce between COL ID. 5. Curt,
NJ Washington, and Gen. A. NJ. VIM
of California, relative 10 the action and
deliberations Of the late National La
Dor Congress. The rebuke Of friend
j. better than the kiss Of an enemy, and
knowing as we do the devotion of both
these gentlemen 10 the interests of the
producing classes, We are prepared to
accent in a fitting spirit their criticism
~ it, action, while We beg TO differ IN
fofo from their conclusions.
~Itis probably true, A. Col. Curtis
alleges. that a. 4 body the delegates
composing he Congre. were not il
point Of ability thepoers Of those who
have attended the partisan conventions,
which have heretofore been held under
theauspices of either the Republican or
Democratic parties. Nor should this
I'VE p matter Of surprise The men
composing il were Of different stamp
aul reared under different circum-
stances, ~ that class which has here
tofore claimed "by divine right" the
authority TO leCislate for the welfare Of
the masses. Aud vet though compar-
atIyJy ignorant, or lacking in ability,
Tie zone # carneStness which pervad-
No their libertons was happy aug
rry for tile future Their very suspicion,
causless perhaps ! in many instances,
their opposition y compromise Or atiili-
alton though sometimes carried 10
excess, proved beyond dispute the hon
Csty Of their intentions, and determine
ton to avoid an opportunity for re-be-
trayal; certainly commendable features.
But We are DEPRESSING. Col. {. be-
.eves, and honestly 50 we have no
doubt, that the Democratic party de-
aires tie elevation Of the laboring class
W., ana can effect III; ana consequently
" anxious 70 help restore il 70 its NOR
mali condition. In other words, to see
IL "loyal to its glorious traditions and
foundation principles as given to our
llustrious fathers" After severe re-
view Of the conduct of the Republican
party. he concludes with the belief that
The Democracy will fully and unequivo-
cally adopt in their platform the prin-
cipIes If The National Labor Union
and thereby remove the necessity for a
third party movement.
In reply Gen. VIM reviews at some
length the action of the Democratic
party, claims that for forty years he
has steadily looked upon it as the ''poor
mans safety and comes to the con-
clusion that more can be accomplished
Ply operating through existing factions,
than by the formation of distinct DO
itical organization refers at length
60 the passage Of an eight hour law,
to the violation Of which no penalty
is attached I claims that eff we are to
have a paper system Of currency, GER
tainly the Democratic party will favor
the less Of the evils" asserts tba he
opposition TO tie granting Of lands lor
the building Of railroads, canals, etc,
has long been one gifts cardinal princi-
pies, " protests against the Chinese treaty,
which he claims to have been entirely
the work of a Republican Congress, and
then winds up with the inquiry, "What
have we to gain by Labor Party ?'
all Of which convinces us that the Gen
eral has yet thoroughly to comprehend
the Labor movement in all its phases.
Ills concluding paragraph,whi is but
= re-echo Of his entire argument, i as
follows:
A party looking to the exclusive interest of
one class OF our citizens, cannot be popularapd
hence Whl be unsue oesstuL We must not seek
the injury OF Others, in taking care of our
selves. We only contend for equal riebts-~er.
act justice-nothing more.
Now, while We cheerfully concede 70
the gentlemen r. Erred TO, honesty Of
purpose and a sincere desire TO anchor
ate the condition Of those who labor
for living, we fail 70 see any founda-
ton whatever for the basis Of their ar
gument. It's idle now to discuss what
the Democratic party has or should
have been. We must deal with living