The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-02-17
THE SITUATION.

Ere another issue Of the ADVOCATE will
have reached its readers, the deliberations
and action II the Columbus Convention
will, in all probability, have been spread
broadcast before the American people. In
view ~ this fact it may not he amiss, at the
present time, to refer to the action Of the
National Labor Union from its first meet
ing. in 1866, till the crowning act of its
mission. in 1872 At Baltimore, it was
evident to the most superficial observer
that, although no definite plan Of action had
been decided upon, an overwhelming ma
iority of those present believed that some
thing else than trades unions or eight hour
laws was required to remove the incubus
I which was pressing on the working classes,
OF to secure t. them the fruits Of their
labor. Although some questioned the
propriety Of organizing for political action,
the passage Of the following clearly midi
Gated the sentiments Of the majority
Resolved. That the time hds come when the
working classes should cut themselves aloof
organize for the purpose Of securing the ameli-
Grafton Of the condition Of those who labor
for living
This resolution, vague and crude as it is,
proved the entering wedge for more adj
vanced effort. At Chicago, a step further
VAS taken. Not only was it decided that
political action was required, but the rem
edy for the evils complained of was fur
nished, and the views Of the Congress we're
expressed in the following language
Resolved, That to provide true national
currency, adapted to the genius of our institu-
tions and the wants Of the business of the
country, the circulating notes Of the national
banks and the present greenbacks, which are
not a full legal tender, should be withdrawn
from circulation and their place supplied with
a paper currency based on the wealth of the
nation; made legal tender in the payment
Of all debts, public and private declared the
lawful money Of the United States and con-
vertible at the pleasure Of the holder into gov
eminent bonds bearing three per cent. inter
est per annum, subject to future legislation
by Congress the bonds likewise convertible
into lawful money at the option Of the holder
1t was unanimously decided that 30 long
d. NdliANchF OH HIAdllCldl
system, is enabled to absorb the products
Of labor so long as the business Of the
country is based on a commodity, the en-
tire coinage q which does not equal the
value Of the annual crop Of Illinois, and
which enables the usurers and gamblers of
Wall street to contract and expand the
medium Of exchange, and thus raise or de-
preciate the price of labor and the neces-
saries Of life, at pleasure, redress is i'm
possible that the golden calf must be
broken before relief can be expected
hence the knife was applied to the cancers
root. No sooner, however, was the plat
| form adopted-was it made manifest that
the monied power was the objective point
Of attack, than something more than a para
graphic sheer was required to meet the
emergency. The futility Of political action
was pointed out. 1t was proven that as
soon as the industrial classes left the beaten
path Of strikes and trades unions, and ven
tured even to consider the financial ques-
ton, they went beyond their depths that
statesmen O. not demagogues - should
solve this important problem; but to no ef-
feet The good work progressed; and from
that day to this more attention has been
paid to the labor movement by our legisla.
tors, press and people than had been be-
slowed upon it during the past fifty years
At the Philadelphia Congress, the Colored
race were welcomed to its ranks, as brothers
and co-worksrs; while at Cincinnati the fol-
loving resolutions added another and i'm
portant link to the chain of progress
Resolved, That we recommend the imme-
date formation of an Independent political
party, to be known IS the National Labor Re
form Party, for the purpose Of using the power
of the ballot to protect the interests and rights
Of the working people Of this country