The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-04-05
LABOR REFORM
Address to the Workingmen of Ten
nessee.


NASHVILLE, March q. I,-s
BROTHER WoRKNEN: As the State Ex-
ecutive Officer Of the National Labor Union
for the State Of Tennessee. il becomes my
duty, as it is my pleasure, to call upon
you to aid me IN perfe.tIng our state or
ganizatlon. Every interest which We
should hold as sacred demands prpldpt and
energetic efforts on our part. Ia VAIN have
We looked for and appealed To both the old
political parties for equal rights and even
handed Justice There Is but one alterna-
tive left us-a united effort ur ahlect sla-
very. The day may come when We will
have u appeal tn arms III defence If our
rights, but il We would but act wisely and
at once, the peaceable remedy Is in our
hands We have the numerical strength.
and only lack united effort. to remedy all
the evIls and expressions which combined
wealth Is infictlng upon rs through the
old Democratic and Republican parties In
our ranks are t. he found as bright intel
lects, pure patriots and as able states
men as can be found in our State or nation.
Our peaceable remedy Is through the bal
lOt-buX The lessons We learned last fall
teach us that We have nothing to gam by
becoming an appendage Of either of the
old political parties. We lose our iden-
tIty and are lost sight Of when the election
has passed over, and forgotten in the halls
Of Legislation, and the Executive Cham
Der. Had We been thoroughly organized
III the late State Campaign how different
would have been the result Too long have
We neglected this important duty Union
is what we need, and must have. and RELY
On m qIaf in theA fac I -,
fore me. This | am confident YOU VIII do.
as you can but feel as well as | do that we
can never do anything without Union.
Too long have we allowed dlssensions and
jealousles to lead US into the meshes Of our
enemies and Oppressors too long have we
listened to the counsel Of men who. with
lying tongues and faise hearts, have sought
position that they might better rob and
| Cypress us. We must awaken from our
supneness, and prepare to defend our
rights to meet our common enemy.
The complete failure Of our state Begis-
lature t. recognize the rights Of working
men and its pandering to monopoly and
capital. admonlsh us to become united
The venialIty Of the partisan and sectarian
press Of the state, and its crouching at the
feet Of capitalists and whI:IIng at the doors
of monop"lists, leave us without hope or
remonstrance, and force upon ms the neces-
sity Of sc-kIng protection IN a State organ
ization.
Everything D"nsidercd. AZ did well la-i
fall but the end was not reached W.
must not az down and suffer what We then
did to lie lost We must not forget that il
less than two wears the same battle will
have t. he fought over that our enemies
are busy and encouraged by the treAchery
Of many Of those whom ne helped to elect
will seek again to divide us We must
continue the good work and by union and
thol ough organization beprepared next veal
not only to nominate our State and county
officers but strong enough t. elect them
We can do 1t If We will, and to say we viii
pot implies cowardice. argues ignoranc,
and want Of honesty Of purpose whlcl
would not only he All insult to your intel
hgence hut lie upon your character. In
every community II workingmen we have
men as capable for all Offices as can bt
found in either Of the old political parties
men who are to our interests, to principle
and themselves; men who, when we arr
united, will interest themselves and leac
us on to success beyond doubt.
l appeal to you freemen in fact. B,
no longer the stepping stones into plac'
and power of men whose only aim anC
acts are those of plumber. Cut the chainl
Of political slavery which binds you Il
either the Democratic or Republican party