The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-05
THE AIMS OF THE NATIONAL
LABOR UNION.

Contrary to our long announced, and in
variably observed rule, we insert in the
present issue an anonymous {? communi-
cation from Baltimore correspondent Ia
20 doing 50, it may not be amiss to state
the reasons why. In the 6rst place, we
happen to know the writer thereof sec.
ondly. we consider it q poor cause which
won't stand investigation thirdly, We have
lately received several communications of q
similar import; fOurthly, RERoRMRR is
evidently in blissful ignorance of the objects
Of the organization whose action he under
takes to Criticise and filthy, we are at al
times prepared to explain and defend the
action Of, and the principles enumerated by
the National Labor Union Of the United
States
1t is an old but a true saying that {
bad excuse is better than none," the truth
of which our correspondent seems to have
realized when penning his lame apology fol-
the criminal indifference of workingmen.
And while we admit the speciOus arguments
put forth are those used Dy every delin-
quent in the ranks, we cannot for a moment
admit that REPoRMER" in any manner
expresses the views Of the intelligent, earn
est members of the organization. Did we
do 90, we should certainly despair Of sue
cess, and be the first to admit that the enc
mics Of labor can safely bide their time A
few years ago it was a common practict
among some of the most expert LOndOr
pickpOckets, when too holly pressed, to raise
the cry of stop thief" and join in the
pursuit with gusto which soon disarmed
all suspicion. We are afraid many Of the
chronic GROWERS, who strain at gnat and
swallow a camel, are adopting somewhat
similar tactics.
To thoroughly appreciate the value Of
REFORMER's criticism, it is only necessary
to briefly refer to the objects sought to be
accomplished BY the organization Of the
National Labor Union and the declaration
Of principles adopted thereby, which may
safely be presumed to be an exposition Of
20 siuna 49, f.-~;',-s -o.Eaa- Elto saw how
A4A.ls' anu dIsiS--- oLTaHge 80 : -
ever, every fault6nder, either through ig-
norance or intention, continually ignores
this important point, and proceeds upon q
hypothesis which bis own fancy or prejudice
is pleased to create.
Political action-obnoxiou as the term
may be to party tOadies and is, the
cardinal idea embodied in the action of the
Labor Congress- removal Of the evils
which CLASS LEGISLATION has inflicted on
the working classes-by legislative enact
me1at. The magic creation Of an element,
heretofore comparatively unknown in Ameri-
can society-a soulless, ignorant, mOnied
AristOcraey; the subscrvieney of our legis-
lators to this gOurd Of night" their
shameless submission to its most exacting
demands, the prostitution of the ermine"
to its behests, the more than degrading Po-
sition assigned to honest labor, with the
certainty that the legitimate fruits Of this
crime in high places could have but one
result, viz Z: the destruction of our republi-
can institutions and the hopeless degrade
ton of the masses-apused the friends Of
labor. Conviction led to counsel; counsel
to action. But one means Of escape pre-
seuted itself-the use of the ballot-box, the
discarding Of the tools Of the monied
power, the Republican and Democratic
parties, and the formation of National
Party, whose cornerstone should be the
recognition of the rights of labor Realiz-
ing that many Of our Trades Unions pro-
hibited the discussion of POLITICAL TOPICS,
it was determined to secure the cooperation
Of their members as citizens, outside Of
their organizations, and ask the cooperation
Of the entire industrial community The fol-
lowing, adopted at the Baltimore Congress
in 1866-in the home Of REFoRMER-will
perhaps throw little light on this subject /:
TIE history and legislation Of the
past has demonstrated the fact that no depen-
dence whatever can be placed on the pledges OF
professions of the representatives of either ex-
is,ing political party, 80 far as the industrial
classes concerned therefore be it
Resolved, That the time has come vixen the
workiugmen Of the United States should cut
themselves aloof from party ties and predelic-
lions, AID organize themselves into q national
labor party. the object of which shall be to se
cure The enactment Of Law making eight hours
legal days work by the National Congress and
the several State Legislatures, and the election
Of men EhO will sustain and represent the In
terests OF the industrial classes. In view Of this
fact, We, the representatives of the wOrkingmen
Of America, in Congress assembled, recommend
that steps be taken to form the same, which
shall be put 10 operation as soon as practicable.
Resolved, That where g work tngmen is found
capable and available tor any Office, the prefer
enCe should invariably be given 70 such person
The Chicago, New York and Philadel-'
Phia Congresses, which contained the presii
dents and representative men Of the
mouldsrs', typographical, bricklayers' !,
cigarmakers', machinist and blacksmiths'
carriase-makers', plasterers', tailOrs', and
carpenters and jOiners' national and inter-
national organizations, not only endorsed
the foregoing general propositions, butt
adopted and ratified platform, which pre-.
sents a definite line of policy directly al.
variance with that of the dominant parties
Again, realizing that the contest is cor
test between capital and labor, musclT
against money, might against right, thss
honey bee against the 1rone that to ensurs
1