The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-01-10

means from one dollar 20 nifty Genus per DAY,
which in the aggregate would support lead
ing men and at least one-half of the entire
popuation Of the miners Of this country.
We find that wherever a small local union
Is located it protects it's members from impo-
sition Just SO long as the surrounding or I'M
mediate miners are in demand for our labor,
and lust ST. long will those miners working
in the neighborhood mot organized) receive
the same or nearly the same comPensasion
for their labor, thus compelling the AS" ~
hear the expense that should De Dorhe ~ al
alike but as soon as scarcity ior our .aoor
.a,,,s we always find the miners
-, ~ sell his labor for what his employer
Will give him. A plenty of such men being
always on hand, it is no wonder that the lit
tie union is swamped and overcome and driv-
en- to desperation by the baseness Of their
fellow workmen. They in turn seek redress
by selling their labor still cheaper. The
seeds of union sown are trampled down.
The fruits that could have been received by
all by cultivating and encouraging its growth
is not even allowed to blossom; but the rank
growth Of such weeds as seltishness, deceit,
envy, malice, hatred and bitter contention
are cultivated instead. The union is damned
and cursed for their own wickedness; con-
tidence lost, trust betrayed, they travel on in
wretchednsss and misery, manufacturing
weapons for their own destruction, giving
away their life's blood; training their chill
dren to become the serfs Of masters who they
themselves have made, until at last grim pow
erty brings them to realize their humiliation
and degradation; stung to sense OF their
situation, their passions are aroused, and IN
stead Of throwing the blame upon their want
Of unity amongst themselves, paying the
small trifing sum to support and extend an
IL. ,nta ~ Hnl-
lars for cents, protecting them from every
form of aggression of associated capital, fool
ish threats are uttered, which have only one
end. The minions of the law are sent amongst
them, a few leaders are arrested, thrust INTO
prison,-a few smothered groans and curses,
and all is over. The tyrant rules again; once
more the union is damned; the rich get rich
er, while we grow beautifully poorer. We
appeal to the legislature for redress in our dire
extremity. and but for the fidelity and sym
pathy of few Of our friends we would be
laughed at and scoTned as unworthy of no.
tice; but through the untirlng exertions of
those friends we secure a law to protect us,
imperfect as it may be, which no sooner gets
into operation than an attempt Is made ny
those whom our labor has enriched to crush
out its existence Can miners look these
facts in the face and tell me national organ
ization is too expensive an institution: that
it is only gotten up for the purpose OF de-
frauding and the maintaining a few idle
men? One fraction of a cent per day froIa
every man can pay every expense, yet they
prefer to give millions to the very power that
brushes us The recent money panic is a
likely excuse for plea for some not to pro-
mote or to extend miners union, as it has
driven poverty to the door Of every working
mans family. But it should be the means Of
teaching us a lesson-a lesson that while cap
ital is the absolute ruler of labor the
safety Of the people is endangered,
while on the other hand labor and
capital working hand in hand together,
cooperating for the welfare OF each other,
capital, instead of being a curse to the labor
err would be a blessing. Then we would
have cheap money, and labor would be pro-
tected. Strikes would be a thing Of the past
Hence / cheerfully recommend to you the
adoption Of such measures as you may deem
best for the promul cation OF union principles,
more energetic line Of policy for the spread
and growth of our association. Raise the
necessary funds from the men by small con
tributions to employ good men TO organize
everywhere 1t must be done. We must
either be a nation of united miners, seeking
to obtain Justice, or a nation OF slaves, lost
to all honor and dignity that belong to tree
people. America must boast Of her miners
as intelligent, faithful citizens, or acknowl
edge to despotic Europe that they have weld
ed the last link that chains them to everlast'
ing bondage Fellow workmen, the issue Is
left with you
AT the conclusion of the address the
President referred to the advantages to be
derived by the Association connecting It,
self with the National Union.
The following are the reports of the del.
egates in relation to the suggestion
BeiterIle DiStyict-Had instructed then
delegates to oppose utilization.
Springfield District. In favor Of JOINING
Girard District In favor Of joining.
BraidWood District In favor of joining
Delegates instructed to withdraw if the
Convention refused to attach itself to the
national body.
Lincoln Strongly in favor of utilization
La Salle-In favor Of joining.
Bra=a Ind } DiStrict-In favor Of con
nection.
Mr.. Morgan, Belleville, explained why his
district opposed the proposed connection
though he believed such opposition would
be but temporary. As delegate he wa
not in favor of granting the oentralizing
power vested in the officers by the Constitu
ton.
Mr.. Adams, Of Indiana, failed to see the
force Of the gentleman's argument. No 10
cal lodge was deprived Of the right OF self
government.
Mr.. Mclaughlin advocated at length the
benefits to be derived from acting on thu
~ Wa
en- toto to longer depending on special ap
peals. What men compelled to strike
wanted to know was that an duditdbte FUND
was at their disposal Miners might starv'
before money could be collected under the
present system, and this was the occasion
of so many failures and 80 much democrat
ization.
Mr.. Morgan said charity commenced a
home. Let Illinois be first thoroughly or
gained, and then it would be time enough
to talk of annexation. Till that time ar
rived he thought it was best to direct al
efforts to build up the State Association.
Messrs. Mclaughlin and Slater thought
the surest and best means to accomplish
these purposes was for the State Union tt
connect itself with the national body. Tn,
moral strength gained by such action would
do more to organize the miners of the West
than nything that could be done.
A lengthy discussion followed, partici
pated in by every delegate present, aftel
which Mr.. Mclaughlin presented the fol
lowing
Resolved, That this Convention recognizes
the right Of local lodges Or districts to con
meet themselves with the National Associa
ton, without severing their connection with
the State Associations, and all trust that tbs
day is close at hand when may see the
necessity Of joining the same.
Mr.. Morgan offered the following as an
amendment
Resolved, That this Convention urges the
necessity of perfecting the miners organiza
ton in the State of Illinois prior to joining
the National Association.
Mr.. Morgan withdrew his amendment
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