The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-27
AMERICA, THE BATTLE FIELD OF
LABOR 2.


LABOR-No. 2.
1t is needless to ask what was the fate of
the Trades Unions of ancient times, or even
of those Of modern times. That such did
exist Is an historical fact that they were
destroyed by combinations of the ruling
powers and the aristocracy is susceptible
of being proven that the same motives
that led to their destruction on the East
ern continent is at work plotting their
overthrow here, is another fact that cannot
be controyerted.
On the continent Of Europe ancient Des-
potism and Imperialism had to be estab-
lished and maintained. The Trades Unions
or guilds, were an obstacle in the way and
in order that the former should rule SUI
preme, the latter had to be destroyed. So
in modern times, when it was found
necessary that monarchy should flourish, it
followed that Trades Unions had to perish.
Within the last century these Labor
Unions have revived, and to-day we see
them struggling for life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; and again the old
antagonists are met, and both have the
same old battle to fight over again. But
this time it is on new fell and under
more favorable auspices. 1t must be re-
al Ill IL =. Il l..
won The American citizen workingman
possesses a powerful weapon-the freedom
Of the BALLOT Box. This places him on
an equality with his more aristocratic, and
would be monarchical master. But our cit
izen workingman will say ''There is no
such person in the American Republic F."
Let ussee (; and while we are examining this
part Of the subject, We wish to be distinct
ly understood as saying 1--WE are neither
'Fourerites' nor Socialists, as these terms
are generally understood" WE RESPECT
and acknowledge the right Of the iSdsridudl
to hold and accumulate property. But at
the same we also claim that the individual
shall have an equal chance to procure, hold
and accumulate property Having defined
our position on this point, we will proceed
to investigate the fact as to whether there
is tendency to monarchical condition Of
society,"
History demonstrates the great fact that
the concentration of wealth leads to a de-
sire for power. Riches do not satisfy the
as you may with pomp and luxury it is not
satisfied-it Graves for power. Power, cen
tralized, must have homage paid to it. In
order that it can or may have the homage
it desires, society must be classified. Now
let us see if such combination of circum-
stances can be found occurring in the
American Republic.
Suppose we take retrospective glance
at the history Of our country. Let us
look at its simplicity-we may say its pow
ertY,-and follow its history through the
administration Of Washington and his
compeers. We find the same simplicity of
manners. Now let us compare the last
twenty-five years Of the Republic with the
period of which we were speaking. Is
not the wealth Of the country being gath
cred in the hands of the few Are not the
monied men of the country arrogating to
themselves all the powers Of controlling and
directing the legislation Of the nation Is
not society being classified into various
classes which prevail in Europe Are not
pauperism and crime travelling hand and
hand together, and we find corruption and
prohigacy in high places becoming twin SIS
tiers Do we not find capita, not only cry
ing for cheap labor, but using every scheme
and device possible to import it from other
places
If history be true these causes led, both
IN ancient and modern times, TO the GEN.
tralization Of wealth and power, and sub
sequently to Despotism, Imperialism and
Monarchy, with their long train of con-
commitants. As all of these causes are
now apparent to American civilization, is
it any more than question Of time how
long they will take to produce the same ef-
fsssts.
How then are these results to be avoided
This is the great mission of the Labor
Movement in the United States. It is Just
here where the great issue between labor
and monarchy arises, and it is here on
American soil where, if the issue is ever
brought to successful termination, it
must be decided.
The Labor Movement in the United
States means nothing more nor less than
that the working men Of America have to
preserve a pure Democratic Republican
form of government, with distribntive
powers, as opposed to Cesarism or mon
archy, with centralized powers. The next
question which arises is, Do the men who
are engaged in the Labor Movement I'M
derstand the mission they have embarked
int
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