The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-10
PHILADELPHIA, MAY 80, 1871.

EkUM RENN6ILtANlA.
PHILADELPHIA, May 80, 1871.
To the Editor the w.RKrHsxAH's Advocate.
The birds ure singing merrlly in the
trees this bright May morning, for there
are trees lining some of the sidewalks,
and many Of them give shelter to merry
little festhered songsters. The sky
above wears q face of unrnffled red
placidity. Altogether, it is charming
day. But, in this great city, there are
hundreds of sewing girls and house
wives who have not the same reason
to manifest feeling of gaiety, for the
wages Of the former are very, very
triding just now, and many Of The latter
have but meagre meals to prepare
against the coming of their husbands,
and are on the streets seeking that en-
ploy ment which has been denied them
all through the cruel winter Just past.
Thousands Of these are on the streets,
more, | believe, than at any time since
the close of the war Many are the
theories advanced explanatory Of the
causes which have led to this general,
this awful depression, while but few of
them are correct. 1t is the greed Of
the money lords, | tell them, but they
will not be convinced. 1t is the toady-
ism Of parties to the broadcloth coat
and slick visage, contend, but they
still s0iU be Republicans; they will per-
sist in being Democrats. One of these
days they will learn, they or their
progeny. But, to-day. there is no city
within the limits Of these United States
so apathetIc as this But I've sung to
that tune so often before that l feel con-
strained to change the refrain. The
wORKlNGMEN's ANTI-CooLIE LEAGUE,
which, few months since, seemed SO
lively and gave such promise OF be-
coming permanent organization at an
early day has been allowed to die
totally out. | might give you the
reasons, but perhaps they bad better
remain a secret with me. Suffice it to
say, it was not for the want of en-
couragemenL The newspaper reporters
gave It's proceedings a wide publicity,
greater publicity indeed than they
deserved aud the workingman, ire
spective Of party, we're beginning to
inquire, what is this association that
is making such noise 2" "Can there
indeed be an organized movement to
deprive US Of our bread and meat, by
importing coolies TO take our stead 2"
These and kindred questions were
being frequently asked, and by those,
too, who had prior to that time been
totally oblivious to every phase Of tie
labor movement. Their executive con-
mitee had received and published en-
couraging letters from Congressman
and others Of prominence, containing a
spirit well calculated to incite the
masses to display an increased interest
in their own welLbeing. These and
other things we're occurring and beng
done, but the Anti Coolie League i
numbered among the things of the past.
1t may revive, in its old Or in another
guise. | met an old gentleman on the
street th morning He is deeply in.
terested in the labor movement. He
wanted permission to attach my name
to a call to be published for a CONVEX
sational meeting Of the friends Of labor
reform. told him he had no need 10
ask permission to use my name for
anything OF that sort, he was privileged
to use it for such purposes whenever he
chose. He seems 10 think that several
such meetings will revivify the now
dormant interest Of our working people. !
| said nothing to discourage him, though /
| confess cannot see where be finds
the other thing. He either gets il from
or he is the most hopeful |
man ever met, The tOAe OF the city .
press seems lately to have modified very
materially. Most Of them are nova
days.
RATHER sUPPLICATING THAN DEFIANT; I
though, in dealing with the miners,
they are quite as bitter as ever. | was
amused at an article in the press one
day last week, in which the writer |
contrasts labor reform with the tenets
Of the Republican party, Wendell
Phillips was one of several great lights,
who had been as beacons to the people |
of the country, to keep them from stray !
ing out Of the path which strict sense
of justice indicated as the proper one
for them to pursue. Now, Mr.. Phillips
is engaged in a new reform, and, as
before, be believes its success attainable
oily through the Republican party. l
ask you, Dear ADVOCATE, what manner
of maker OF public opinion ia this,
who says that the great labor cham
pion of Massachusetts 10 hide-bound to
the Republican party, when he has been
the candidate Of an opposition party for
the Office of Governor of his State ? |
Can we rely on suchf / think not
Wendell Phillips undoubtedly regards