The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-09-03

causes OF the wrongs and grievances
which the workingmen copplain, and ths
dangers 10 our Institutions from the manner
in which the Government has. spd is nov
being administered, your attention 10 speci
ally invited to The following declarations
which contain the substance Of the remedial
measures proposed: ,4 wy.
lst. To provide true national curren,
ey adapted to the genius Of our Govern
ment, ard the wants OF the people, the
National Bank currency and the present
Greenbacks-which are not full legal
tender-sbould be withdrawn from circula-
ton and tbeir places Supplied with paper
currency, made legal tender in the payment
Of all debts, public and private, duties cr
imports included. and declared the lawful
money of the United States, and convert
ible, at the pleasure Of the holder, into
Government Bonds, bearing three per cent.
interest. The Bonds likewise convertible
into this lawful money, at the option Of the
holder, thus furnishing currency, uniform
in value. sad ut oil times adequate to the
demands Of the trade and business Of the
country.
I'd. While we are in favor Of keeping
the utmost good faith with all parties, we
enter our earnest protest against any depart
ure from the original contract, BY funding
the public debt in long bonds, or in any way
increasing the gold paying, untaxed Obliga-
tons Of the Government We are in favor
of discharging that portion Of the debt
heretofore contracted, which is by the Law
creating it, made payable in gold, in that
commodity, and paying the same st the
earliest possible moment; but We insist
that all other forms Of Indebtedness, in
cln1ing the principal Of the 5-20 bonds,
shall be Paid at the earliest option Of the
Cover nent, 10 the legal tender currency
of the United States.
Sd. Another important question de-
mandlng the immediate and earnest atten-
tior Of the people, is the management Of
the public domain. II is impossible to rev
without alarm, the manner in which the
BIRTH ight of the penple is being squaBdered
upon corporate mOnOpoles If it shall pass
beyond their reach while the present unjust
laws Of distribution are in force, instead Of
our Government being an asylun fc- the
oppressed Of other nations, il will be an en-
gine in the hands of an uuscrupulous money
oligarcby, for toe oppression and degrade
dations of its own citizens. We therefore
bold, that the only safe course to pursue, is
to prohibit the sale or donation Of a single
acre, to any individual or corporation, ex-
cept for actual occupancy and use as home
steads.
Attn. In our judgment. one of the most
important questions which has ever been
presented to the American people, since the
organization Of the Government, ia the
Coolie trade, or Chinese labor. 1t is hard
ly possible. with the light We have, to prop
erly estimate the Importance for evil which
the introduction Of this new element will
exert on the social and moral condition Of
society. That it will be pernicious in the
extreme while they continue 10 come under
the contract system, ID morally certain, and
that common laborsrs will come in any
other capacity is extremely doabtfal Their
inttbduYticu on large scale will eseate
caste in society, degrade labor, and practi-
cally restore the feudsl system.
The claim that the object ID to christian
ize these pagans is the merest kypocritical
cant; avarice, and net benevolence, is the
motive influencing the parties engaged in
this base traffic. There is greater probabil-
ity Of paganizing our institutions than Of
ehristiaBiziDg the Celestisls.
Therefore, while We welcome to our shores
all who seek to work with us for our couu-
try's good, we will oppose the introduction
of servile labor, come from whatever quar-
ter it may, TO undermine the prosperity Of
American WOrkiDgmen.
9th. War expenses as they occur should
be assessed upon, and collected from the
wealth Of the country, which the war pro-
tects. that the citizen soldier who has fought,
shall not be burdened with the debt, on bis
return from bis cOuntry's battles. When
the emergency arises for calling or con-
scripting men to I'll the ranks Of the army.
alike exigency exists for taking property
on the same conditions IL the Govern
ment commands the service Of the soldier,
rescrving the right to fix bis compensation,
it has an equal right, and the duty 10 equal
ly imperative to tako property. reserying
the right to fix the value, and mode Of pay
ment
In conclusion, We ask that you will d.
rect your reply 70 NATIONAL LABoR Us-
ION, Detroit, Michigan, on or before the
18th day of August next
r. F. TREVELLlCK, President.
A. CAMPBELL, Chairman Executive
Committee ~ L. u
FROM GOV. cEARY. or pENNsvkV AHA.
HARRIsBUKG. Pa. Asgnst y, 1870
X +. TREvELLIcK, Esq, President National
Labor Union, and
ALExAEDFR CAMPBELL ESQ, Chairman Executive
C0umi.tee n. L. U.
GENTLEMEN | have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt Of your letter Of the
26th ultimO. presenting the views Of the
Associated WorkiRg-men Of the United
States. on the social, industrial, commercial
and 6nancial condition of the country. A
proper reply to which, would require the
wisdom Of the most profound statesman,
the skill Of the most consummate political
economist, and the labor Of the most dis
interested philantbupist The subjects
treated Of, and the questions propounded.
involve the whole science Of social and
political economy as well as Of Govern
ment.
After bestOwiDg upon this important
document as careful attention a my pub
duties would permit. feel that am un-
able 10 answer in a manner satisfactory to
myself. or worthy Of the subjects presented
for my consideration, and will therefore
cOniss myself 70 q brief and general re-
view Of the subjects contained in your com
munication.
You have discussed many Of the points
50 thoroughly and ably. that In d great
measure you have anticipated the ideas and
words OF reply, leaving but little to be said
appropriate to the occasion.