The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-07-05
WORDS OF TRUE KINDNESS

Readers we do not believe in 1attery.
We have AS little faith in the statements
Of the professed friend who ARRAYS tells
you the working people are noble, generous
fellows, always true to their interests
as We have in the faith Of the professional
politician. On the contrary, we tell you
in all candor and kindness that, AS a
class, you are not true to yourselves and to
each other, and that the man who tells
you to the contrary is either a knave Or a
fool You are your own worst enemies,
and it is to the inexcusabls apathy mani
tested III your own ranks that half of the
evils Of which you complain exist. In
stead Of upholding each others hands, in
stead Of encouraging those who are bat
thing for your welfare as a true manhood
demands although you are always ready
to avail yourselves Of the advantages
which their efforts secure -yod are too
prone to bellttle every effort, to distrust,
and throw cold water upon every reform
movement, to strengthen the hands of your
enemies and weaken those Of your friends
THIS Is tie SIMPLE truth and it is Just as
well that you should know it.
Why is it that dozen men have to
fight your battles and carry your burdens!
What right have you to expect that those
who can fight their way through the
world under any circumstances, should
sacrifice their prospects to advance your
owni Why is that nearly every leader
Who has espoused your cause has been
victimized without a protest These
questions, t. the reflective mind, at least
are worthy Of serious consideration, and
have presented themselves thousand
times To your best and staunchest snppor-
tiers.
We say the men who have battled who
are now battling and who are willing to
continue to battle for the recognition Of
your rights are worthy of your conf
dence and support, and unless it is given
you have no reason for complaint, if they
should seek some other or more remunera-
tive calling. Is it not disgrace that may
of your trades treasures have not sufficient
funds to pay their officials, who devote their
/ lives and energies 70 your cause When il the
paltry sum of five cents per member were
given by every member nf our labors or
CARNATIONS sufficient money could be rais-
1 M hi two months to place dozen labor
I lecturers Ia the field, and sweep from pow
n the corrupt clique Of wire pullers who
nov control our State and national leglsla-
Y ton.
But have no desire To- he misunder-
stood We believe when the matter is pre-
sented ia its true light, ana the friends OF
the cause and their number is legion
viii ID their duty IA the premises Life
less sympathy and broken promises never
did and never Nil accomplish anything
While We believe IN holding To a strict &C.
countablhty those entrusted With the gui-
dance ana welfare of the National Unions.
we insist that their members should
show proportionate responsibility. The
signs Of the tunes are such A. should arouse
the most indifferent to prompt ana decided
action, and in no way can they prove then
sincerity of purpose than by contributin.
their Just quota to sustain the hands Of
those Who are honestly engaged III forward
/ my their interests