The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-19
FROM ILLINOIS.

10 the kditor Of Tho woaKmcMA1s ADvecArs.
DEAR SIR: Permit me through the
columns of your paper to address few
lines to the miners of this state.
Fellow miners I feel proud that we
have the WoRKINGAAN's ADVOCATE,
an organ entirely devoted TO the inter.
est of the working class, through which
we can express our feelings, redress
our grievances, and denounce all ty-
ranical actions and petty schemes Of
our would be tyrants, and for that rea-
son let me urge on every workingman
to subscribe for this valuable paper.
We are now just emerging from the
mud and mire, and eDdeavoring to
shake of the shackles that have 80
long bore us down to the dust, and i
feel happy TO inform the miners Of this
state that this old district No. I, has
taken the lead by appointing our worthy
friend, John Hinchcliffe as our attorney
to bring before the constitutional con-
vention the necessity of having some
word inserted in the new constitution
that would benefit us az class. And it
was through his influence, and the ef-
forts Of Snyder and Cameron, We have
a section embodied in the new consti-
tuition, making it an imperative duty on
the legislature to pass such laws as may
be deemed necessary for our protection.
providing salso fort shafts to every
coal mine.
This is a movement il the right di-
rection, and ought to lie sufficient to
stimulate every miner ii the state Of
Illinois. Now fellow-n.iners, we have
started the wheel of progress, and
let me, as a humble individual, urge on
you to organize lodges, and districts in
every section, and discuss the matter
fairly, and combine together in one
body and one mind, for the purpose Of
crushing out of existence those pre-
tended friends Of the workingmen
previous to all elections, and who when
are sent to Springfield, and
elswhere. We find large number, in
place Of doing justice, and legislating
for the good of the country, taking |
brides in the way Of oyster suppers,
and with all their energy working for
capitalists and railroad spectators,
who devote their whole life and brains
to make the poor man poorer, and the
rich richer; therefore let MS rally round
the standard of liberty, and form or
ada an addition to the workingmsn's
party; and send men from our own
ranks who will legislate in our behalf,
who will work for the interest of the
country at large, and not for some few
SPECTATORS. Send men who think and
believe that the workingman is being
above the position which the
African slave occupied some years ago.
For the purpose of doing this, we need
divest ourselves of all preconceived
opinions in regard to public policy, and
ignore all party ties, VIII Oh have blind
folded us 30 long, and almost led us to
destruction. Let us act as free citizens
IF this great country; we know that
we are to 1 in round numbers, and as
his is q government Of the people, it is
BUR right to send men who will legis-
ate and do the most good for the lar
yest number and now let us arouse
rom our lethargy of sleep, and declare
ourselves free to think, free to act, and
entitled to be represented in our legls-
alive halls.
Hoping that all miners will act forth
With, remain, yours truly,
ALTER Eco.