The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-01-28
our NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Last week we presented the able and
eloquent address of President Chas.
Mclean, TO the Plasterers of tae United
States, and in the present lsstse publish
a synopsis Of the proceedings of the
BrickIayers' National Convention,
which met at Pittsburgh on the 9th of
the present month, which will doubt
less prove of interest not Only to the
members Of that organizations, but also
TO every wide-awake trade tsnionist in
the country.
We have no sympathy with that
bOdy-whOse sole and only aim is to
legislate exclusively for itSparticuIar
interest, who believes in tbs big and
little U who seems to igno1e the bond
of brotherhood which should exist be-
tween the various national and inter
national organizations. such short
sighted policy can never BE- productive
Of any permanently beneficial results,
consequently we favor thtf dissemina-
ton Of the deliberations cf one craft
among the ranks of anothtF, believing
that were this habit pra@ticed more
than it is-the end so devoutedly
wished for BY every reforrter-tls con-
csTtsd action Of the producing classes would
be wonderfully accelerated.
If any evidence were required to
prove that the influence IF our labor
organizations are beneicisl or that I'M
der proper management, they become
the grand educators Of the working
PeOple-eleVating them in the social
and moral scale it would be found in
the growing aversion to tse system of
strikes, which have proved so uisas-
trous in the past, and the desire to sub
stitute reason for passions arbitration
for violence, and cooperation for the
wages system. The following recon-
mediation Of President Mclean is SO
APProPos and truthful, anil takes such
.ssn "- 5gh! sne$ ~vlsw Of She situation
that We commend it to tie careful at
tention of those who believe trades
unions to be the nurseries Of crimes.
lie says:
| would strongly urge upon the
several members TO take : broader and
more catholic view of our duties and
responsibilities. Let utS not cOnfne
ourselves alone to the question gilmore
leisure, and more money consequently,
whilst contending with cur local oppO-
nents, but carry our intentions to the
ballot box, and there teseh practically
our lawgivers that if we are not loved
we are feared. Until th4t hour arrives
we will be pOwerless to sffect thorough
labor reform. The wages system is
but one step in advance of slavery.
Industrial co-partnershit, a still high
er and more perfect condition, and 60
operation, the Alpha and Omega, the
perfection Of industry, accomplished
however only by the working classes
acquiring a higher mora tone, BY be-
coming less selfish, and making full al
loWsnce tor the Interests Of all con-
cerned.
President Okeefe, Il kes an equally
comprehensive view, ard his reference
to the evils attendant or the strike sys-
tenn do honor alike to3his head and
heart, and show that tssev are the re-
suit OF experience and :.matured DELHI
Grafton.
We are pleased to learn that the diff.
ficulties which have existed for the last
year, IN No. 2 OF New York, are likely
to receive a peacefnls and honorable
solution at all events the experience
of the past is not likely to be thrown
away, and will doubtless teach other
organizations to exercise more care
and judgment in the fsture in the Sc
lection of members to lucrative or re-
sponsible positions. The action of Mr..
Browning, in assuming the onerous
position Of secretary, :etthout saLarv-
70 hqudate the claims :sof his organiza-
tiOn-is worthy of tie highest com
mendati On-and which should en-
dear him not only tc; the members If
DIS own craft but to avery member Of
labor union Throughout the length and
breadth Of the land.
We regret that tile F'negro" question
was not disposed offs a manner which
wonld forever remove it from future
deliberations as bose of contention. 5"
Sinking will do no good. The issue
can't b d0gdsd-it m Est be met sooner
or later-and the sPOncr the better.
The reactlonsry eleIh bent may delay,
but II cannot prevent the ultimate
recognition Of bis GAINS. It is just
auch action that give4 demagogues an
opportunity to poison the minds of the
colored race and pei, ny a line parts
lans their stock in trh de. As matters
stand at present, it il the privilege Of
the Baltimore unioI4 to refuse admis-
''On % colored bridklayer, who brings
u from Philadelphia or Milwau-
kee uni0n--a statd &c r. ~,
oe sc Piled by the action
y 'ne na''onAi Ooof. 1t may take a
year OF two to brind everv IocoI -
in the traces, though we have No CO.
of the result. Disc ussion, will follow.
however, and discussion is what Is
wanted, and all thai is wanted to bring
about the correct 'jl"'iop.