The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-19
THE ELECTIoNs--.THE LESSON

dition is best fit for them and its ameli-
Grafton undeserved BY them.
THE ELECTI0NS--THE LESSON.
The elections this fall disclose the fact
that a nucleus OF labor reform has been
formed in a very large number Of the
States; but they also disclose the fact
that there is no hope Of any recognition
of the workingmen's rights by either of
the old political parties. Another fact,
too, of which workingmen need to make
a note is, that the cause of Labor Re
form can never advance until working
men can have confidence enough in
their own principles to vote for them
whether anybody else does or not. Let
it be borne in mind, too, not only that
the old political parties are corrupt, but
that they are, in principle as well as
practice, dramatically opposed to the
rights and interests of the masses. So
far as legislation upon the labor-rob-
bing plan is concerned, the democrats
are entitled to the credit of being much
more conservative in stealing than the
republicans. On the other hand, the
republicans, with their wholesale steal
ing legislation, are more liberal than
the democrats in granting some of the
trifing demands which the so-called
progressive element of the country
asks. Thus, from these two stand
points, each Of these old parties alb
serbs about equally between them the
large majority Of the labor classes.
Now, the labor classes must be
taught to see and understand that
coinage currency, stocks and bonds,
are the legal and authorized modes
whereby q hundred dollars worth of
property may be demanded from the
labor class, when in the hands of the
originators and owners Of these paper
representatives not FIVE cents, and sell
dom fifty cents on the dollar Of useful
service has been rendered to the labor
and other useful classes-that neither
of the old parties intends 70 change
these outrageous financial laws. There
fore, because it is well understood that
these laws will not be changed, it fol
lows that the old organizations cannot
be used for the purpose of instituting
those important reforms which the
people, SO far as they understand the
laws of distribution, most imperatively
demand. Hence the truth Of the scrip
ture declaration is fully verified, that
men cannot or do not put new wine in
to old bottles, lest they burst, but they
put new wine into new bottles. So our
fworkingmen may understand that if
they desire TO have their principles
carried out and their rights protected,
they must seek the workingman's party
organization as the only means to reach
that desirable end. And the time to
prepare for that result isnow. Do not
wait until two or three weeks before
the election, and then either fall into
line with the old parties or else pick up
some Of their worn-out hacks for the
pleasure of being villifed, abused and
beaten, and thus to have their princi-
pies and their party brought into gen
eral disrepute and contempt.
Now, workingmen, ask yourselves if
these are not facts; and, if facts, DO
not get discouraged in anything, unless
it is in slumbering over your principles
until another election comes; but 20 in
now. During the long winter evenings
organize thoroughly, and discuss your
principles, and select your best men /;
and in the spring you will be ready to
60 In and elect them. Another thing
be friendly one with another. Do
not be afraid of real, genuine, new
truths. Give everybody who desires a
chance to learn what your distinctive
principles are. Show the politicians
you are wide awake and neither mean
to cheat or be cheated, and you will
soon be respected and esteemed by
every honest, well disposed man, and
your principles and party will triumph
and vindicate the right.