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

We herewith prssent 70 our readers the
first number Of the eleventh volume Of the
WoRkINoMAS's ADvocAsE. Ten years AFRO
We commenced its publication. and have
striren since, under all circumstances. to
remain consistently true and loyal to the
interests We then espoused, and trust our Ia
bors have not been altogether in vain.
There are few enterprises in which a labor
reformer can embark beset by so many
drawbacks, disadvantages or disAppoint.
ments As the publication Of an indspend-
ent journal, devoted to interests Of the in
dustrial classes its successful prosecution
requires faith that brooks no denial, per
sistent, never tagging effort, that repulse
only nerves to stronger eIertlon. Although
well aware Of our many shortcomings. it il
with Justlhable pride We remember that
since the ADVOCATE made its first bow to
its readers, that while two hundred jour
mails devoted to labor's interests doubtless
conducted with more ability, and at least
as worthy Of public support, have been
compelled to suspend publication, II has
been enabled to pursue the even tenor Of
its way Although We have experienced
our full quota Il trials and business vexs-
tons, though hope deferred has often
made the heart sick, though the apathy,
shortsightedness, selhshness, and treachery
of workingmen have frequently made us
despair Of success, that success was never
so assured as 1t is to-day
In spite Of all opposition, covert or
avowed, the Importance Of the labor ques-
tion has forced itself upon public opinion,
till we find our ablest thinkers, statesmen
and essayists, devoting their best energies
I ~ a SdliSldClOAl coAllAbh VI
\ ing problem The principles enunciated
at the Baltimore Congress Ill 1865, and re-
affirmed with becoming persistency at each
successive gathering of labor representa-
sves, have permeated every strata Of So
ciety. A pooh, pooh, or photographic
sneer 40 longer stiles intelligent investi-
CATION or silences the demands of the op-
pressed. Labor IS King, and before its
honest claims all other potentates must
DOW In our highly favored land, where
the poorest and most abject have, or eau
hare equal rights before the law with the
vealthiest Of the wealthy, where class
legislation exists only through the apathy,
/ acqulescence or criminality Of these most
I deeply Interested in its removal where
/ the ballot not the bullet-furnishes the
sfety valve, where liberty and license are
not Synonymous terms where redis not mis-
taken for genuine republicanism, where the
building mp not the tearing down policy
Is advocated, there is no wrong that can
not BE- redressed, no grievance that can
not be removed whenever workingmen
prove themselves equal TO the emergency
and true to their best and most lasting in
terests. God helps those who help them
selves, and certainly none other are wOE;hy
of support, either human or divine Under
those circumstances there is every reason
to hope that the revolution through which
We are now passing viii be 5loodless in it'
character, and TO accomplish this purpose
the ADVOCATE will ever lend its aid
To the friends and members of those
labor organizations who have stood by Vi
through evil and through good report
encouraged US to press forward, anC
selected the ADVOCATE as their represen
tatlve organ, We return our sincere anC
heartfelt thanks, assuring them that i
will be our highest aim to merit their con
tinued confidence and support
In conclusion, the future fealty of tn,
ADVOCATE to labor's interests must b,
judged BY its past record. We have ne
further guarantee to offer, though repeat
ing the statement made in the first article
We ever penned for publication-that $50
long as we control its columns it will know
no isms, no politics, no religion, but thu
isms, the religion, and the politics, o
labor"