The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-05-11
Horace Il. Day.

Weadmire independence of character. If
a man has opinions, on political subjects es-
pecially, we like TO see him bold enough to
avow them. We have far greater respect, as
a rule, for an individual who openly declares
his views, though tEey may differ from
our own, than we have for fence -strad-
ding hypocrite who is all things to all men.
But there is a proper time for the express
sion Of individual opinions and for the ar
gument of cause, and it comes in a most
appropriately before the decision. After
the judgment is rendered and the decree
irrevocably fixed, period arrives when &C
quiescence becomes virtue, and continued
aggression is only evidence Of perverseness
or mulish obstinacy.
The occasion for these reflections arises
from the fact that II II. Day has issued
long manifesto, III which he denounces the
Columbus Platform, the nominees, and in
cidently every one connected with their
making Mr. Day is First Vice President
of the National Labor Union, was dele
gate to the Columbus Convention and took
an active part in its proceedings. He had
a voice in its deliberations in the adoption
Of the Platform III the selection Of the
nominees, and was member Of the Com
mittee appointed by the Convention to
wait on Judge Davis and Governor Parker,
and notify them Of their nomination We
have not heard that any attempt was made
in the Convention to prevent him from CIV
ing free expression Of his views, and we
presume that he exercised the privilege in
common with all other delegates The
great majority of that body did not agree
with Mr.. Day-in fact he found him
self with very significant minority.
The majority was composed Of men
men possessing sound, practical, common
sense opinions, and were not disposed to
have the Labor Reform movement weighed
down with Woman-Suffrage, Free Love and
other isms, which comprise the stock in
trade of Mr.. Day and his handful Of adhe-
rents nor did the Convention think proper
to make nominations solely with a view Of
pleasing these few extremists. Hence he
bolts, and attempts to set up business for
himself and the result will prove whether
he is numerous enough for party We
are glad he has come before the people on
his own merits, and hope all other malcon-
tents and cavilers will follow his example.
The statement made by the friends Of
Judge Davis that She declines to enter into
political correspondence or arrangements
concerning nomination, as being incon-
sistent with the proprieties Of his present
judicial trust, Is made the basis of bit
ter personal attack upon the Labor Reform
nominee. Doubtless the workingmen Of
the country would, generally, De as well
pleased to hear Judge Davis opinion con
cerning the subject If the Columbus reso-
lutions As would Mr. Day. We know that
such desire exists here, and has been free
ly expressed but if the reasol. given il the
true cause of Of his reticence land we have
no reason to believe that it is not) no one
knows better than Mr.. Day, that it is
worthy Of grave consideration and is by no
means discreditable to Judge Davis
There are i'll this city bakers dozen Of
pretended Labor RefCrmers who have ex-
pressed themselves as opposed to the nomi-
nations. Without an exception, 50 far as
we know, they belong to the Julian-D Day
School Of extreme impracticables.
These men under cover of great love
for workingmen sought to nominate Geo.
W. Julian for President and Ii. H. Day
for Vite-President. On the assembling Of
the assembling of the Convention the Ju-
lian-Day free-love clique found they stood
no earthly show Of placing their candidate
in nomination by that body.
Isms were thrown overheard and sound.
practical views governed the action of the
Convention. Imbued with the single pur-
pose Of advancing the true interests Of the
Iaboring classes, the Convention nominated
Hon. David Davis and Joel Parker, men
against whom the united opposition press
Of the country has thus far failed to score a
single point.
The Labor Tribune, OF Lancaster, Pa.
in its notice Of Mr.. Day is inclined to be
charitable in its structures. 1t says, in its
issue Of the 4th inst
I'VE cannot but think he Is too hasty in
his conclusions, as well as in his action.
\ Few men of note in the Labor Movement
but have had occasion to be grateful to Mr..
Day for his great generous heart, as his
wise and encouraging counsels. We regret
that he docs not find it in his heart to stick
by the action of the Columbus Convention
"a Convention which done him so much
honor and one in the deliberations oi
which he took so active a part. We arr
not inclined to Judge Mr.. Day too harshly
having too, much respect for his, or any
mans honest opinions, yet we cannot bu
feel that his course is detrimental to tn,
best interest of our party, and that it is