The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-26

vlIIE, PA BEFoRK THE IsTFBsATOSAL CONvss
tbs ~ rHE MAcHIsisrs tASD BLAcEsNIrHs' USIc
or NoKrH AMERICA, AT CLEvELAED. o., FnoA
EVENING, sEPr. q, 1870.
ADDRESS;
CONCLUDED.
Unionism is victorious-many if no
+ most of the objects it organized to gain hay
: been won.
Why has success favored us Th,
business Of the cause, our energy and tac
tics, have done much but has not our vie
tory been FASTENED owing to our opponents
weakness, quite as much as to our strength
think this will be conceded when we con
slider that not more than ten per cent Of thC
tradesmen Of America are represented il
trades unions, but these are by far the mos
skilled eud intelligent. and this and TIC
unity that exists "mong them is what makes
strength. AlthousN capital was first to
combine, it has not been 50 well organized
into a system, as there are many condi-
tons incident to capital, which makes a
strict system Of combination unfayorable to
their interests. But should it organize as
systematically, using the same tactics Of
unions, we could never withstand them.
That such is likely to be the result is a
most prominent fact. Capital in Amer lea
since the the late war has been concentrat-
ing beyond all exaggeration, individual
wealth being estimated by its rl.ions,
while the fortunes of others are measured
by the crust on their table and rags on
their aching limbs And this brings me
to consider the present necessity of trades
unions and their work.
We must remember that circumstances
mould Tan, as much as man moulds cir
cumstances that our institutions make us
what we are, as much as we make them
what they are In order that we may be
more perfect, we should endeavor to per
feet as far as possible all those institutions
we are identified with and this applies
to trades uniOrs, as they lave exercised in
the past a great influence. They will
continue to exercise an influence, and that
influence will be for good OF bad inst as
unionists make it,
To do this, | think, one Of the L st
needed reforms is that Of organizing a
system by which the value Of each member
as skilled workman may be known and
recognized by trades unions and its members,
for three reasons:
First, That if be is deficient the members
Of the craft may the better instruct him.
Second, That be may End out how title
be does know and how much be does not
generally the greatest discovery Of
ones life.
Third, That bis employer may know bis
worth and standing as a workman On bis
application for work.
To this end would recommend a system
Of degrees, to be conferred according to
measure Of ability or skill-similar to those
conferred by educational institutions. Each
member to bold a certificate or diploma of
bis degree, stating bis efficiency as a work
man-allowing this to decide the rate OF
wages he should receive-instead Of en-
forcing a uniformity where there is not a
uniformity in skill.
l think the result Of such a system would
be to make the individual more responsible
for his wages, more independent, more
free. It would create an aspiration to cd
ucation and skill in bis trade. This would
be followed by demand for the higher edu-
cation Of the mechanic. Unions would
grow into educational institutions of most
practical nature. | hope this convention
will take action on this matter--as cduca-
ton should be the central idea Of unionism
On this depends the progress Of reform
This will develop and support a demand
which should not be left without agitation
that of system Of schools for educating
the American mechanic ir bis art. We
should first make the eight hour system a
national custom, as time is needed for edo
cation. 1t will be readily conceded, in point
of special education, the mechanic has been
less favored than any other class.
The government bas established and sup
port7 agricultural schools to educate the
farL N bis calling. Schools Of law and
medicine receive its encouragement. Mill
tary colleges for cultivating the desire for
war and educating man in the science Of
slaughtoring bis brother man according
to law are supported and encouraged in the
highest degree. But has it establ shed
schools for the mechanic The city Of Bos-
ton may boast Of one. This believe to be
the only one in America-although the ad
vantages are great. It does not receive the
recognition it should. 1t is not supported
by the national government. This must be
looked to by trades unions. The governu ent
| l. wo&fksora1 - A. l..
education Of its mechanics and less to that
Of soldiers. Our people in official position
have yet to learn the value of such invest
ments They would yield more than steam
ships, railroads, telegraphs, or major gene
rails. Inventions are the greatest source Of
wealth and military power that any natior
can boast Of. Did not Napoleon say at St
Helena: England conquered me not by
! her armies, but by her spindles Z"
It is said that England was more alarmed
at the premiums awarded to France, Bel
gium, and Prussia, at the Paris Exposition
Of 1868, than at the attempted invasion o
Napoleon. Educated Prussians are now cor
quering Europe With theif genius in thei
hands; to educate the mechanic would b
to make strong the nation-by intelligence
and inventions. What great field Of in
te, lectual treasure would thus be opened
show many a rose that's born to blush un
seen-would not waste its fragance on th
vacant air''-but would bloom to bless man
kind.
The silent yet deep pangs Of compassion
which creep upon flesh, mind and soul, a
we tread softly-silently and sorrowfully Oh
, calm summers evening among the livin!
dead, and the dead, dead Of the old ehurcI
yard, even when we knelt down by som
: wayward mound with board for its monu
rent to record that be lies beneath it, wa
born, be lived, be died, was all it told, a
we felt the pangs of poverty thrill our ma
q ture, and with deep heaping compassion
! we breathed a silent prayer.
, perhaps in this neglected spot is laid,
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