The workingman's advocate., 1871-01-21
ADD R Il % q
PRESIDENT MCLEAN
of the United States
CINCINNATI, Jan. 8, 1871.

Plasterers of the United State
CINCINNATI, Jan. 8, 1871.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENT 0N.-A
tor q lapse Of eighteen months we hav
again met pursuant to adjournment,
compare notes and to examine criticall
what progress we have made materially
what advancement educationally, an
whether, in moral point of view, our COT
dition is enhanced by habits Of sebriety
frugality and fraternal bonds, fostered an,
encouraged as it ought to be by each mem
Der Of local organizations yielding up ind
vidual rights for the benefit Of the masses
with whom he is directly associated. Sucl
hoEever | am sorry to Announce bas no
been the case in every instance since W,
last met. Sel6shness, that accursed bane
and which higher toned education cal
remove, secured by more isure, is abso
lutely necessary. I would warn local un-
ions against the policy of being led OF
guided implicitly by putting too much con
tdenoe and faith in any individual in theil
respective societies, since experience hs,
demonstrated the unhappy issues which
have resulted from the unprincipled actions
Of popular members (so called) on one
hand, and the conceited self-suficient AFRO
gance which have characterized some mem.
bers Of that class, who instead of melting
their fellow workingmen to carry ont the
several enactments Of this body in their re-
organizations, use arguments laden with
sophlstry to persuade them that such laws
would be detrimental to their interests, the
dsmoralizing Influences of the former clas.
have been felt in one society in the East
BY the perfidy Of one Of its members, and
one holding high responsible position in q
national capacity, and this is to be the
more regretted since we are legally power
less to compel such to yield up the proper
ties entrusted to their care, and can only
attach to their characters, that stigma oi
adherence which the violation Of a com
pact made in good faith justly entities them
TO.
Whilst the latter class, exercising thai
local influence which they (unhaPpily) pos
sess, exert themselves to persuade their 10
cal unions to make null and void the wis,
and healthy provisions enacted by thi
body, viz: the creation of a national fund
by which to resist the encroachment Of cap
ital, by the flimsy plea that the creation o
such fund would be an incentive Il
strikes, whereas the veriest tyro would read
lily see the opposite result
| would strongly urge upon the severa
members to take a broader and more cath
Ole view Of our duties and responsibilities
Let us not contine ourselves alone to the
question of more leisure, and more money
consequently, whilst coatending with our
local opponents, but carry our intentions to
the ballot box, and there teach practically ,
our lawgivers that if we are not loved we
are feared. Until that hour areises. We
will be powcrless to effect thorough. ,labsl
reform. The Eages system n but one stsE
hi Tfvsncs g sfs7efy " Indcs:ri2i- -co-E@sar u
nership, still higher and more perfect con
dition, and cooperation, the Alpha and
Omega, the perfection Of industry, accom-
plished however only by the working cIasse:
acquiring higher moral tone, BY becoming
less selfish, and making full allowance fol
the interests Of all concerned.
How can the industrial classes expect IN
equitable distribution Of the wealth created
by them, whilst scheming bankers, broker.
and Omne id genus are speculating higt
ever to absorb the surplus and deprive
them Of their legitimate share, rates Of iu-
terest imposed in excess of the increase ol
national wealth, taxes unfairly levied, the
necessaries Of life burd 1ned more heavily
than the luxurious, superhuous office hold
ing drones, retained in place to swell the
number at elections in favor Of what ever
party holds the reins of government. No
department of labor, distinct in its nature,
character and functions, at the seat OF
power. Capital protected and nurtured il
in gold and silver, whilst human souls and
human bodies are left unprotected and un-
cared for, to subsist upon the one-tenth Of
what they themselves have created whilst
the capitalist-the fewer number-absorb
nine tenths Il therefore becomes incum.
bent upon the working classes to declare
unmistakably, by determined action, thai
no party shall receive their support without
proving by deed as well as word that they
will legislate wisely BY removing the bur
dens which Oppress industry, opening III
channels ard afording the agriculturist. the
mechanic and all who contribute to tbs
wealth Of the state, whether by head Of
hand, or both, that livelihood to which they
are Justly entitled, for Notwithstanding tn,
vast internal wealth Of our country. timbel
in Maine, iron n Pennsylvania, hemp ir
Kentucky, and brains, our dock wards to-
day look as if the hand of the destroying
angel had passe1 over them, the house
building interest receiving its periodical
shocks, as the banking schtmers will It. and
this done with impunity, the money making
power, the government toleratlng the con-
traction of the currency without providing
an adequate check to this evil besides d.
rectly connected with the government "a little
over year age our Secretary Of the Treas
ury Department throws part of the surplus
gold on the market, sells it and purchase
bonds with the proceeds, deceiving the la
boring classes BY this note shaving opera
ton, and robs the country Of tens Of thous-
ands Of its wealth, causing an unsteadines
and want Of faith amonst builders. Henc
trade in that line became paralyzed an,
6uctuating, thus affording a prete1t b
money lenders to control that branch a
will
1t behooFes us therefore, gentlemen Q
the Convention, to impress upon the mind
Of Uur fellow workmen in our respective SO
cieties the importance Of taking otL er an
higher grounds to compel by united an
unsel6sh action, and by firm and deter
mined use Of that glorious power which II
constitution guarantees, to grant us,the SOY
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