The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-26

n
orable senator insist that because these fou,
million blacks have heretofore served mas.
ters twelve and perhaps fifteen hours out oI
the twenty-four, and have lived or existed
under that exaction, that they should be
compelled to still follow the same beaten
track. and be denied, as heretofore, the ben
ents OF time for moral culture and education;
mat the eight hour system adopted by the
Government will demoralize them in their
pursuits after their experiences before and
since the war? These theories may benex-
eeilent In support Of the proposition that no
man should be permitted to earn enough to
live upon unless be works ten or twelve
nour per day, thus making it question Of
bread anc meat; for, rather than see their
children crying for bread or have them
turned into the streer, consigned to the
.l@shouse. and made public pauPers, there
. no upright, God-fearing man but what
would work, if be could get employment,
twenty four hours day, aye, and even steal
% feed his little ones, should that be the
oa!a ysor.
The great problem Of labor at the South
has been solved, and contrary to the predict
ions and desires Of those who would grind
the working man to the earth and make bis
life burden, it has been solved satisfac-
torily. To make labor successful you must
make it willing; and when it is willing it is
happy and contented, and hence prosperous.
That il the great aim to be accomplished. /
ann willing and even anxious that tho Gov
ernment should set the example of liberal
ity to those il employs; and if this example
be taken as precedent by the business
world, it will be, in my opinion. happy
censumatfon. | look upon my fellow men
with feelings Of interest, charity, and kind
ness and therefore | dc not suspect that
the two hours abatement Of toll will be mis-
applied and consecrated to vice. IL Is not,
in my opinion, an increase Of time afforded
under the specious plea of the necessity Of
mental, moral, and social recreation, only 60
be dissipated and wasted in the manner pre-
supposed BY the honorable senator. fully /
agree, however, with him, that "human
nature rebels against even the shadow of un-
requitted toll" notwithstanding the fact
that we arrive at totally different conclusions
in this particular, by the same course OF
reasoning Therefore / insist that if we fail /
to pass the joint resolution, which provides
there shall be no abatement of compensation
BY the reason of the eight hour law, and
accord with the honorable senator's propo-
sition Of total repeal, our action win truly
be-
Like Dead Sea fruits that tempt the eye,
Bot turn to ashes on the Iips"
Lee us recognize that we bold in trust
the true interests of the people, that the
majority Of our citizens are Of the laboring
class. and that the happiness Of our country
pen Is the prosperity of the Government.
Let us remember also that when our Repub-
lie was threatened, and the temple Of liberty
rocked, quivered, and nearly fell from the j
earthquake Of secession, the husbandman
threw aside the plow, the mechanic bis tools,
and the student bis books, the laborer his
pick and spade, all rallying to the call Of
their country. When it was question af- |
feetiag the life Of liberty and free institutions
there was no appeal for an abatement Of
time or a reduction OF the hours Of labor
They marched forward to death and the sol
dier's grave in serried phalanx, day and
night, early and late, whenever the bugle
sounded the call of duty. Their sepul-
chers strew our land, and we canno. bring
back the "reminiscences Of their deeds too
often.
Now peace smiles upon us the piping
times Of peace" and we hasten to cement
the bands OF union. The husbandman has
resumed bis plow, the mechanic his tools, the
scholar bis books, and the l&borer his pick
and spade. They demand to earn their
bread by reasonable toll, with an equally
reasonable amount Of leisure, in the land
which they have preserved. Shall they echo
the " Song of the Shirt p
"work, work, work my labor never flags;
And what are rs wages? A bed Of straw,
crust of bread and rags
That shattered roof and this naked door, table,
And wall 50 blask. ny shadow thank, for sometimes
falling there "
The joint resolution is before us for action !
It has passed the lower House, the popular
branch Of Congress. We are now simply
to carry into effect work previously per-
formed, as it appears, somewhat carelessly.
We are either to repair our own fault or
modify the unnecessary and adverse ruling
of the Departments. Our action in promptly
passing tho joint resolution without amend
ment will make many hearts glad, even if
they be-
" StilI one OF Adams hers.
Though doomed by chance birth
TO dress 81 mem and 10 eat the lean
Inste ad of the fst OF the earth
To mske srch humble m ais
Az honest labor can,
a bone and a crust. With a to God