The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-11-11
WHO rs TO BLAHl

In our last issue, we referred TO the
Ohio Election, and laid the defeat OF the
MI. U. platform, where it righfully be-
lonrel-on the shoulders of the so-called
leading Democratic politicians. What we
then said we repeat, we have not WORD
10 retract; and vet we believe the working
classes. themselves are not altogether free
from blame. We are aware that some Of
our friends took exception to the support
we rave the Democratic ticket. This 1t had
the perfect right to do, though we would
do The same thing tomorrow, under the
some circumstances, on such platform
Whatever a venal press may say to the
contrary, the delegates who voted for the
principle referred, were honest and enthu
siastic in their support, and as intelligent
a body of mea cs ever assembled in con
yention. They understood perfectly the
valus of their endorsement, and their votes
were given in manner which, for the time
being, silenced the opposition of the Bel
mont ring, and proved that the yeomanry
Of Ohio, meant exactly what they said
while association with them developed the
tact, that they understood the financial
problem" great deal better than the party
seriblers and leaders, who arrogate to them
selves the right to think and act for the
masses.
What then was the path Of duty under
The circumstances Here was party which
could cast vote bordering on 100000 in
The State, deliberately endorsing the very
principles which the Labor Uuion had
been struggling for years, to have recognized
There principles had been given to the
world, and on them the campaign was TO be
fought limo other point was TO be gained,
the press would be compelled to accept or
reject them, to refute or endorse them, and
publicity was hall the battle. If successful,
the Labor Union could honestly claim the
credit; if defeated, why defeat had been
simply the normal condition of the Demo
cratic party.
There was another incentive TO labor
Success in the Legislature met the election
of U. S, Senator, in sympathy with these
principles This was foregone conclusion,
and certainly such a result would have re-
bounded more to the credit of the National
Labor Union, than the election ola dozen
governors. Not only that, but in all prob
ability would have secured in the National
Democratic Convention, the incorporation
of the same principles.
We are aware it was claimed that Gen.
McCook either did not understand or had
no sympathy with the tangled system
that Mr. Hunt, candidate for Lieutenant
Governor, had gone back on his promise
10 the miners, and that his name
would he scratched by them almost
10 a man. Well. suppose both these
charges had been true. What then?
What was their duty under the circum-
stances Why, 10 give them both cold
shoulder; to vote as unit, for members
Of the Legislature, with all the more zeal
after the treachery to their only standard
bearer - Ewing had been developed.
These were the views we entertained then,
these are the views we now entertain, and
upon which our entire action was based.
:, cheerfully concede to others, what we
claim for ourselves, the right of private
Judgment, though we respectfully decline
TO allow any dictation in the editorial con-
troll OF the ADVOCATE.