The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-12-19

- S-@.-A-8o cASDPs AotucEu1 rcSAucU ~ anu
wac well known in indianapolis but be
had received no notice or knowledge Of the
movement, and when addressed declined to
take part in the Convention" though he
did at my earnest request, accompany me to
caucus.
The real movement OF all the industrial
classes has been publicly announced for two
months past and is being carefully worked
up, and this financial plank il and has been
one Of the material questions. OF this
movement the country will in good time
hear, and IN no questionable or doubtful
terms Meanwhile all experiments will only
serve to light the way for all those who are
sick and tired of mere political strategy and
waiting to join q real and substantial move
ment of the people, who desired, if possible,
to wrest their government from the hands of
spoilers.
HORACE H. DAY.
Disclaiming in our preliminary remarks
all feelings of unkindness to Mr.. Day, .
sense Of honor and justice and knowl-
edge Of the facts alike compel Us to take
exceptions to the insinuations contained IN
the foregoing statement, and pronounce
them unkind, unwarrsnted and untrue. In
May 1874, Mr.. R. f. Trevellick, in COM
eany with friends of the labor move
ment, among whom was the writer
of this article, in canvassing the political
situation, argued that national MASS con-
rentioR of all those opposed to our damna-
Bile national banking system and in favor
of making greenbacks the exclusive circu-
lating medium of the country, receivable
for all debts public and private-imports
included, was the necessity Of the hour,
and that if proper steps were taken its sue
cess was beyond persdventure. Cores
pondence with the friends Of the movement
throughout the country confirmed this
opinion, and on the Sd Of October we pub
lished letter from Mr.. 7. recommending
that such a convention be called at the
earliest possible date.
In commenting on his subject We said
We cordially endorse the proposition Of
Mr.. Trevellick, contained in this weeks is
sue of the ADVOCATE, suggesting the call
ton Of national mass convention, composed
of men who are opposed to the basest swind
specie payments, and in favor Of the green
back issued by the government, based on the
faith and resources Of the nation, As a legal
tender for all debts, public and private, to be
held at an early date. The names Of Ewing
Pendleton, Campbell. Freeman, Field, Mag
wire, Day, Kelly, Gordon, Singleton and
Richardson, men OF national reputation, be-
sides the true and tried friends Of the labor
movement, such as Trevellick, Schilhng,
Hinchcliffe Groom. Foran, Fehrenbatch,
Siney, Cannon, Graham, DeWolf, and
score Of others, who are as well known
to our readers as to ourselves, and
who are in sympathy with the above
proposition, and who would doubtless make it
a point to be present-secure in advance its
success beyond . peradventure. By all
means let us have a national convention; let
steps be taken to organize u GTeenback Club
| IN every ward in our cities and In every vii
lage in the land, and let such a pressure be
brought to bear on the next Congress that
it dare not refuse to obey the behests of
the people. We hope to hear from our cor
respondents on this question, as we propose
to follow it up
In response letters we're received from
warmly endorsed the project-many Of
them from men of acknowledged ability
and national reputation. Arrangements
we're also made to have attached to the
call the signatures Of . number Of our
Prorninent statesmen, bnt, unfortunately,
at this junctakA NJ T-spslliek was pros
trated by sickness, and as the suggestion
had appeared under his signature we con-
sidered him Justly entitled to the credit Of
calling it, and refused to assume any re-
sponsibility.
A few days before the assembling Of the
Indianapolis convention we received an in
vitation to attend its session, and accepted
the same with twofold purpose: LIST, To
ascertain, if possible, whether or no the
movement was genuine, and, if 50, whether
a co operative effort could not be secured to
make the proposed national convention q
success. On our arrival we learned from
Mr.. Day, who had been in confere nee with
some Of the members the previous evening,
that he was highly pleased with their char
acter and apparent honesty, and had no
doubt of their sincerity-nOne tohdteUer.
The next morning, after the preliminary
business had been transacted, MIR. Day
cheerfully accepted position on the com
mittee on platform, and although John T.
Campbell, Of Indiana, was the first gentle
man named, by courtesy, Mr.. Day was
allowed to act as chairman.
At the conclusion Of its labors, and after
a free and full interchange of opinion our
friend expressed himself perfectly satisfied
with the result. A motion was then made
and carried to appoint National Execu-
tive Committee, when Mr.. Day presented
a list which he had, without authority,
solicitation, or consultation, prepared, lcith
himself as chairman, and it was Just here
of the members being of the opinion that
as the preliminary conference had been held
in indianapolis, and called under the sigma
ture of the Chairman and Secretary Of the
Independent Party Of Indiana, these gen.
tlemen, for the time being at least, should
act in the same capacity on the committee.
At this Mr.. Day took umbrage Ind de-
clared that unless he ives appointed chair
m an he should decline to have anything
further to do with the proceedings, and
acted as good as his word. These are the
facts in the case, and our readers can draw
their own conclusions.
Now one word in regard to few Of the
statements contained in Mr.. Days letter.
He says 81 went to meet and represent the
working classes" From what source did
he derive his authority TO represent the
working class. Who were his constituents,
and what was the nature of the organiza-