The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-14
FROM CALIFORNIA.
SAN Francisco, Feb. %, 1874

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. %, 1874.
10 the Editor II the woREISeNANs ADVOCATE
| wish to say word, first in regard to
precedent. To be governed, as We often
are, il our opinions and the decisions of
our law courts, by the opinions Of those
who have gone before us, is a virtual ad-
mission that the world is either growing
ignorant or dishonest That the latter is
true, very few people will deny but the
point which | wish to make is, that l. will
not do for Labor Reformers to allow the
principles they advocate to be arbitrated
by the opinions Of those who lived when
those principles were imperfectly under
stood. For example, how could those who
believed in the justice Of chattel slavery
comprehend the injustice Of wages slavery
Opinions are useful to Us only so far as they
throw light upon the question under con-
sideration. To be ruled BY them is bigotry,
not Judgment or wisdom.
| apprehend that these labor reformers
governed by precedent than by principle.
Fer example, again the government
pays to a man or woman the full value of
their services III currency or interest-bear-
ing bonds the man who is compelled to
taAe currency to supply his Immediate
wants is swindled by the government crea-
faa nnAar- faIaa ..f
the equal rights of all its citizens inviolate ;
for the man or woman who receives an in
terest-bearing bond is paid more than the
person who is compelled to take currency I;
but the injustice does not end here, for this
interest is raised by taxation, and the taxes
are paid by the very people who have
already been underpaid for their labor.
Thus we see that while interest prevails,
the idea Of equality is a mOckery, and be-
sides, the abolition Of interest is the orhy
possible way Of solving this labor problem
peaceably.
A great majority of Labor Reformers
are going after nationalizing the lands ;
and this must be done either peaceably or
b. violence, for it is universally compTe-
hended now that land is an element Of hu-
man subsistence furnished by nature for
all mankind, and as necessary TO their ex-
istence as air or water, and that TO mOnOp-
Ollie or withhold it from those who need
1t to procure sustenance, is a violation of
the inalienable rights Of mankind
But men have vested rights in the land
which are guaranteed by the laws and by
time honOred usages, and they are not GO
ing to relinqnish them without payment
with regard to interest, the case Is quite
different, there are no vested rights TO dis
turb. While interest is lawful, it is utterly
impossible for any nation to purchase the
land and give interest bearing bonds in
payment such q purchase would make
sbiect slaves Of all those who were CON-
PEELED to toll to pay the interest on the
bonds given in payment of the Land there
fore, the idea of Matchmaking the land
without violence il not to be thought Of,
but As we pust look upon this as q fore
gone conclusion, il becomes US 10 consider
how this violence can be avoided abolish
interest and the way is open, and it ID the
only way that it can be done. This IL very
PLAIN, for those who now live by the rent
Of these lands are drones whom the tenants
are compelled TO support. Condemn thess
lands and give the owners scrip in payment