The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-08-02
THE INDUSTRIAL CONGRESS No. /

The Industrial Congress II the United
States has met and adjourned. The result
81 it's deliberations and it, platform have
been gwen 70 the world and upon them
the friends Of Labor Reform can base their
7 conclusions as "a the nature ~ the wrongs
sought to be redressed the ends sought 70
be attained and the justice Il the means
invoked by which they may be attained
\ That man-be he who he may must have
I studied the march of events for the past
ten years to little purpose, who has failed
/ to note the growing discomfort, and with 1t
/ the growing spirit IT inquiry If the work
I iug classes their dissatisfaction with their
condition. and their determination to
I fathom and remove the causes which con
signs them to lie Of Penury and monot-
1 life Of luxury and wealth, unearned In
quiry has led to further consideration and
more advanced action. The arguments
and fallAcies az the past, which have here
tofore kept them in subservience have lost
their force. Pettifogsing no longer rules
I the hour. and u,tslltqeHt iHrssfNJdttOt-th
star in the East-ls at length at premium.
! The Congress referred to was but the le
ultimate Outgrowth II this expanding in
telhgence. The men who composed 1t we're
terribly in earnest. Their hands were
horny. their language unpublished, but their
hearts were strong and their minds were
clear. While their reports may have lacked
the polish Of the college graduate, their
ideas we're forcible, and their position IN
mistakable. The spirit IL Cancellation and
self abnegation displayed argues well for
| the future, and although the deliberations
were preliminary in their nature, there is
no doubt but that the foundation was laid
| for an organization which will eventually
embrace within its folds an overwhelming
majority Of the skilled and unskilled la
borers Of the United States. united by the
bonds Of a common sympathy and interest,
which carried to fruition Will emancipate
them from the grasp Of the monied power,
dispense with the services 81 that excres-
ence on society-the middleman, secure
to the producer-physieal or intellectual
the fruits Of his toll, and give US a demo-
cratic government in fact as well as in
name.
But in order that these desiraSle results
may be accomplished, unity Of action must
be secured. A long pull a strong pull and
4 pull altogether is required. 1t won't do
! in this instance to let well enough alone.
Inertia-means decay and death. We
have known a great many delegates who
were very eloquent in Conventions, lavish
with their advice and profuse in their prom
ises, but whose names we're never heard
of in the labor cause till the next COnven-
ton, when they would again occupy the
same position. Now, in the labor move
ment it is work-persistent, never Tagging
effort that tells. Work from January to
December work at the tireside work at
the noon-hour work in the union work
outside Of it: in fact, in any and every po-
sition where he has an opportunity of do
ing good.
Another, and we are sorry to add, too
prevalent evil, must be guarded against, -
and that is laying all the responsibility Of
the organization on the shoulders Of the
officers. Many hands make light work,
and we sincerely trust, that their efforts
will be strengthened both morally and fl
nancially, by those whose interests they
represent. Nothing cheers an official in
the discharge of his duties, more than
words OF confidence and approval from
those whom he il striving to serve. Let
the workingmen throughout the country,
prove their faith-their interest in the
movement, by their works. The Presi-
dents action will in all probability be gov
srned and shaped by the will Of the unions
as expressed through their organizations,
yet it is almost certain, should he, in the
absence Of such expressions, act on his own
responsibility, the men who will take ex-
ception to his administration and join the
army Of malcontents, win be the very del
egates who have been too lazy, or too in
different to perform their duty.
In our next we shall refer at length "a
the principles enunciated, and ascertain
whether or no, they should receive the sup
port of the working classes in general.