The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-29
TO BIZ OR NOT TO BE?

depends upon two circumstances--the sys
tematic cooperation Of the masses, and
their willingness to furnish the necessary
funds to carry on the work. As Faith
without Works is dead, so are all the resolu-
tons and platforms ever adopted unless an
effort is made to give them practical effect.
Unity Of action and the sinews Of war to
sustain it, then, are the desiderGtG Of the
hour. Without securing these it is useless
to expect success. HOa0 to secure them
should engross the attention of every one
whose loyalty is not mere lip service.
The National Labor Union. now in the
fourth year Of its existence, was the result
Of that conviction. For years the want Of
an authorized, national, directing centre had
been experienced. While annual confer
ences Of trades unions were recognized as
Indispensable, it was found they were made
quate to supply the want that so long as q
quasi independent action" was main
tanned, strikes and defeats would be the
inevitable consequence. By meeting on a
common platform, being guided by the
bonds Of common interest, with inspiration
drawn from every craft and calling, with
party and sectional issues ignored, it was
believed that an organization could be
effected which would command the respect
and support Of the American people, and
secure for the masses, while the public mind
was in a state of transformation, recogni-
ton of those inherent rights which the
creation and overshadowing influence Of a
mOnied aristOcracy had jeopardized. The
effort was successful. At each succeeding
Congress the influence and scope of the
" Union" was enlarg |. The platform
was endorsed by many Of the ablest states
men in the country, while the leading jour
mails acknowledged that the working classes
had at length been aroused to a sense Of
their duty, and that victory was almost
within their grasp. So far so good. What
then
In the face Of these facts we see a dis
position manifested, in some quarters, if not
to override the authority Of the National
Labor Union, to work independently Of it.
Now we should like to know what especial
interests these disorganizers have separate
and apart from their friends in other local..
ties, which have not been recognized and
provided for by the national body? 1t re
quires no prophet to foresee that the effect
and the only effect, such action can have i;
to undo the good which has been done to
create the impression that a schism pre-
walls, and to weaken all future efforts made
in their behalf Such policy, to say the
least, is a suicidal one-and yet, strange to
add, it is being vigorously followed in many
sections Of the country.
But the evils sure to follow the adoption
of such a course are not confined to the
effect they have had, or will have, on the
public mind outside Of our organizations
The pernicious influence arising from these
NAL movements is felt in the treasury Of
the National Labor Union. While the
independent Labor League Of --
amounts to nothing, and accomplishes no
appreciable results, It however is a source
Of expense to its members, and prevents, SO
far as It's influence is concerned, the accu-
mutation Of a general fund for the general
good. This IS all acrong, and must be
stopped, unless we intend to make an
ignominous failure. If this course of action
is right trades unions must Of necessity 60
by the board The only salvation Of the
working classes lies in combination. If
the personal ambition of Mr.. SoAand So
a virtual nonentity-is to obstruct the path
Of progress, the sooner be is removed the
better This is the doctrine of democracy,
and cannot be gainsayed.
To make a long story short, the sinews
Of war must be forthcoming to carry on the
work, if it il to be carried on at all, and it
il a disgrace to the workingmcn Of America
that the blotter of the Treasurer Of the Ma
tional Union has yet to have its is dotted
and its It's crossed by an entry ofOreceipts
from our trades organizations. We tell
our friends in all seriousness that if their
past conduct IN this respect is to be &C
cepted as a guarantee for the future, it is
time for the curtain to fall. This is plain
language, because we feel that misrepresen-
tation and buncomb should cease, and the
plain, simple truth be told. eyes" but says
some friend, 4" this talk is not judicious; |
deeply sympathlze, with the
labor movement, my whole hearts in it, and
believe in its ultimate success, but we want
instead of censure." Very
well, let us sec. A tree is known by its
fruits. To 'Ohat ertent hare you sympdtt-
ized7 To the amount Of one, FIVE or ten
dollars What is the amount for which
you held Treasurer Phelps receipt? No
'kulkiDg. This is business. Can you live
N good wishes ? If you can, and prove
yourself competent, we will vote to make
you chief executive for life.
A few weeks since we published letter /
rom Mr.. James Sylvis, of Sunbury, Pa, 1
q reference to this subject, in which he
avs: \
wish to propose plan by which plenty Of