The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-02-03
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.

Convention draws nigh, a renewed interest
is felt by friends of the Labor Movement
in its deliberations and results. While the
ADVOCATE a matter Of course-hke
other Journals, has had its preferences, we
have not deemed it proper to, in any meas
ure, attempt to forestall the action Of this
body, or thrust our predictions before our
readers. 1t is fair to presume that every
delegate will be actuated by one desire, viz ::
To nominate, as our standard bearer, a
statesman Of national reputation, in sympa-
thy with the principles Of the National La
Dor Reform Party-who has not
been, and who is not now, ashamed to PUB
LIcLY Avow such sympathy, BE THE CoNsE-
oUENCEs WHAT THEY MAY-one who can
command the support and respect Of the
American people, and who is willing to &C
cept the nomination, WITHOUT RESERvA-
TON.
We have never been able to see the poll
cy or advisability Of selecting a man sim
ply because he is likely to receive either
the Republican or Democratic nomination.
There is certainly nothing in the past to
warrant the conclusion that either of these
parties, under their present leadership, will
endorse the financial principles upon which
the Labor Reform candidate must stand (;
hence, we are opposed to all billing and
cooling with this OF that professional politi-
clan, simply to aid his own political aspira-
tions. SUCCESS MUST NOT BE PURCHASED BY
VIRTUAL ABANDONMENT OF PRINCIPLE.
Opposition tothe administration is, to us,
unmeaning and without effect, unless it is
sought to replace it by one in harmony with
OUR own PRINCIPLES. The project to sub
stitute Trumbull or Summer, for Grant, on
the principles upon which the latter was
elected, or To- replace a Republican by a
Democratic administration, without a
guarantee that il will not tread in the foot
steps If its predecessors receive no
cuuntenance from men who are unalterably
opposed to the fiscal system which both
parties have upheld, and which, if persist
ed in. will reduce the American workman
TO the position occupied by his European
competitor. 1t was to secure a change IF
principles Of men-that the National
Labor Reform Party was called into exist
ence, and this important fact must not be
lost sight Of. If either the Republican,
straight or disatfected) or Democratic par
ties desire u reconstruct their platforms
accordingly the Labor Reform Party will
throw no obstruction in their paths but We
are unwilling to have it used as tail to a
partizan kite to affiliate when such affil-
iation can result in no material benefit, to
part with its identity, simply to substitute
Democratic for Republican corruption.
Entertaining these views, We see no cause
for regret st the action of Mr. Puett, chair
man Of the Executive Committee, in de
clining further to postpone the Convention,
at Columbus With the combinations and
counter combinations Of the opposing
factions-the National Reform Party has
nothing to do-from them 1t has nothing
to hope. None of them have shown, by
word OF deed, that, if successful, the claims
Of the working classes would receive due
consideration at their hands It is true a
larger delegation might have been secured
had the Convention been postponed till
May or June, but this advantage, in our
opinion, would have been neutralized by
the spirit Of distrust that a further delay
would have engendered, by the feeling crea-
ted, that POLICY, AND POLICY ALONE, had
dictated the movement, and that the lead
ers were trimming their sails to court the
popular breeze, rather than the triumph OF
the principles Of the National Labor Union.
Another, and no mean advantage which
presents itself to us, is the benefit to be de-
rived by being FIRST IN THE FIELD. II
either party are DESTROYS of endorsing the
platform of the Columbus Convention, Of
knowing JUST WHAT the working classes
want, an opportunity will be afforded them.
II the dissatisfied Republicans wish sue
cess-let them ratify the nomination at
Columbus If the Democratic leaders are
anxious to break the power of the Republi-
can party-let them do likewise but if
either or both are anxious to use the Ma
tional Labor Reform Party to pull their
chesnuts out of the fire, they will find they
have counted without their host.
Prominent among the candidates whose
names have been mentioned in connection
with the nomination are the Hon. Thos
Ewing, of Ohio, Gov. Geary, of Pa, Gov
Gratz Brown, Of Missouri, Hon Geo. W.
Julian, of Ind, Gov. Randolph, of New
Jersey, Gov. Palmer, Of Illinois, Gen
Carey, Of Ohio, Gen Butler and Wendell
Phillips Of Massachusetts,, and it is more
than likely that one of these gentleman
will be selected to bear aloft the banner of
Labor Reform.
OUR NEW DRESS