The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-10-28
FROM MASSACHUSETTS,.
The Labor Reformers of Massachusetts,
have issued the following address to the
voters of that State:

nave lSsneo the following address to the
voters of that State:
HDoRs LABOR REFORM STATE COMMITTEE.
s. State Street. Room p
BOsToS. October 10 1871. J
The Labor Reform party enters upon its
third canvass with the pending election,
and presents IFS issues to the people in
sharp, clear contrast with those of its op-
ponents.
Look as carefully as you please at the
Republican platform, and you fail to find
any sincere or frank recognition Of the
rights of the laboring classes. That party
still points to its record, and says: See
what we have done Can't you trust us ?"
1t promises nothing for the future
buta continuance of the present ruinous
burdens on the farmers mechanics and la
borers of the State Imposed under the
specious plea of necessity and then with
refreshing GOODNESS, asks US to continue il
in power, in the face of a. steady refusal to
grant 10 labor the justice it asks. 1t freed
the negro because il couldn't help it. God
be thanked for that But how does il treat
working men and women We asked
them here in Massachusetts for an eight
hour law for all labor done at the public
expense, because we believed that work
ing men needed more leisure to cultivate
the mind and serve the body. Did they
grant il? Mo- They hardly noticed our
request. We asked a ten hour law for
women and minors, standing defenceless
before the greed OF corporations. Did they
grant it, Let the record answer. We
protested in Congress against the present
financial system that robs labor and
gorges capital" Did they heed our pro
test No! They laughed at us. We pro
tested against those grants of the peoples
lands to corporations. How did they heed
the protest. BY giving to other corpora
tons grants enough to defray the whole
expense Of building and equipping theil
railroads Against such measures we pro
| test as American citizens should al the
ballot-box. We appeal also to every farm
er, mechanic and labOrer Of our state Il
join us in an effectual protest against the
corruptions of the Republican party, and
against its subserviency to the interests O
corporate and other capital. Too long have
we slumbered on in silence, while take,
have been increased, burdens multiplied
and industry become so paralyZed-anC
capital so insolent-that those who labo
| for living have become so dependent tina
we almost despair Of the Republic.
We can hope for nothing from the Demo
cratic party. Such has been its past Tecor,
that its promises for the future are of dOubt
full value, and therefore the only course TO
US is 10 strike for ourselves, independent o
old party associations. Neither Mr. Wash
burn nor Mr.. Adams have any claims 4
our support, except AS partisans. When
where or how have either Of these gentle
men shown their sympathy with the mass
es In Congress Mr. Washburn has show
himself supple tool Of capital in all il
schemes. In the Legislature Mr. Adam
has shown the Labor cause an ind tferenc
characteristic of his aristOcratiC family Sc
then, we cannot consistently support them
or trust their promises for the future. Fail
ing then, 10 see in the platforms or candi
dates Of the old parties anything worth,
! our support, we can confidently presen
those OF the Labor Reform party as worth,
the heartiest support Of every man ant
woman in the State. They represent il
the fullest sense the progressive spirit 0
the times Encountered by no traditional
past we look only toward the future, am
| trust ere long To see the masses, armed will
the ballOt-that great weapon Of peace
! taking possession Of the government, ant
working out the true Dc nOratic idea tina
| the Republic is not a mere mechanism 70
-, creating dividends and developing wealth
but rather an fundamentally for raising Il
the highes level those upon whose skilled
brains strong muscles, and stout hearts
society and government can alone safely
rest.
Our mission is one of peace. Our weapon.
are peaceful. We aim not TO tear down
but to build up the industrial and politica
institutions Of the country on a higher anC
juster basis Massachusetts has led the
van Of reform in the past She must keeI
the lead in future.
To you, fellow citizens, we present oui
platform. Read and digest it carefully anC
considerably. 1t boldly and clearly pre-
sents the issues to be met and settled in the
next generation.
Our candidates are earnest men; il
character above all reproach. They directly
represent the great industries Of the Com
monwealth, and are fully worthy Of you
confidence
Fellow citizens We call upon you t
forsake old party banners and rally with u,
at the ballot-box in November for Chamber
lin and Labor Reform.