The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-02-19
FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MEADvILLE. Feb. 9th, 1870.

mEADNILLEs co. OIL, 1OtOs
TO the Editor Of the wosknc4Ar's ADvocAr.
1t has been some time since we have
seen or heard anything about our doings
here, through the columns Of the AD-
'vocATE, but nevertheless we are not
idle. The reform in which the AQ-
vooATE is such bold defender is still
growing here; union feeling and
strength is on the rapid increase. We
are a known power, and individuality
makes the strength as recommended by
your resolution offered at the Working
mems Assembly Of New York. Touch.
ing the introduction of political action,
we have a strong force of workers here,
and when united can control our city
elections; on this matter you will hear
from us again. Our object here al this
time is TO give synopsis of the dedi-
cation Of our new hall, leased by Jeffer-
son Lodge No. I. "Ancient Order OF
United Workingmen." This took
place last Wednesday evening in pre-
sence of an imposing audience Of ladies
and gentlemen. Mr.. L. G. Hughes,
on motion was chosen to preside, and
o. M. Baeus. w. W. Green, VIM.
Sweeley and d. Keeling, Vice-Presi-
dents r. Greaves, and the reporters
of the Press, Secretaries.
Exercises opened with fervent and
eloquent prayer by Rev. ]. L. Jones,
in which he consecrated the hall to the
purpose Of Truth, Justice, Harmony and
Humanity.
The chairman then announced the
object Of the order to be the united
action Of all trades in the country, in
one common effort, to unfetter them
selves from the chains Of capital which
were drawing their lines closer and
closer and, furthermore, for the mutual
assistance, in time Of distress, and the
development Of their intellectual and
moral faculties, and elevating to such
positions Of trust and honor working
men, who, from sterling worth, merited
them much more than corrupt political
aspirants.
He claimed that they were opposed
to strikes, and this would be their last
resort, but such steps were necessary
oftentimes; and, should they be driven
to such resources, no pains would be
spared o carry the day; but moral
force was the lever, aud when trouble
arise the motto of the order was,
Z" Come let us Reason Together" Such
difficulties must be settled at the bar
of reason, and not as in the past.
Further, that all inventions would be
hailed by them as emancipators Of
labor, and opened greater resources Of
wealth, but with inventions and labor
saving machinery, must come reduction
Of hours Of labor. The State must L.
gislate on this matter. The same logic
which gives them the power Of reguiat-
ing interest on the dollar or establish
ing weights and measures, will empower
to fix the hours of toll between master
and servant. The safety OF American
Republicanism he said depended much
on this; as well, the checking Of mono
poles, by workingmen entering into
cooperation, which was another funda-
mental principle of the Order. Their
highest aim was education, and to this
end the government must be petitioned
to establish schools of education for
mechanics. That it supported agri-
cultural schools to educate the farmer
schools Of medicine and law, received
donations from them; schools for
educating military men in the science
If killing his brother man according to
aw, but we could not boast Of single
school donated especially to the educa-
ION of the mechanics. He claimed
his would be better investment than
steamships, telegraphs that
inventions were the greatest source Of
wealth and military power that any
nation could boast Of. He referred \
70 the invention Of the cotton gin by
Whitney, sewing-machines by Howe, \
md Arkright's new improvement Of
spinning cotton. Napoleon, at st. !