The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-21
THE IRREPREssIBLE CONFLICT

There is an irrePresslble conflict which Is
as old as history. II is the war between
enlightenment, civilization, and progress
on the one side, and prejudices, traditions
and formulas on the other 1t is the old
battle that was fought in Rome when JUS
tee triumphed with the tribunate and in
modern times when it triumphed with the
French Revolution. 1t is the effort that
humanity is making to free itself from the
shackles Of every kind of oppression, be it
IN the name of king, priest, or capitalist,
and conscious Of its dignity to take that
high position which the God Of nature in
tended it 70 occupy. In this struggle
there are ranged on one side the millions,
the sons and daughters Of toll ON the
other side are the few, the sons and the
daughters of ease and elegance. The mil
lions Of weary drudges are striving 10 get
mp the representatives Of ease and ele-
gance are trying 70 strangle them-keep
them down The odds are fearful ON
the one side is wealth, and on the other
poverty The enemy is locked in triple
plates Of steel, and is entrenched behind
the customs and creeds of centuries.
Their Watchword is - Many are our char
lots aud swift are our horsemen." Our
champion steps into the arena an unmailed
warrior, with nothing but the sword OF
truth and Justice, and her watchword is, -
God am my right. In this unequal
contest we are sometimes almost tempted
e. despair and yield the victory But
then we are reminded that the race is
not always to the swift nor the battle to
the strong
We have faith in truth and jrstice, and
know that they viii conquer IN the end.
We will think Of the triumph OF progress
in the past ana take courage. Mewiil run
down the page from Wickltfe to Cromwell
and Milton, from these - the American
Declaration, and from tins to the Emanci-
patton Proclamation. We will 60 from
lluss and Bruno to modern literature !,
from Philip IL. to the constitutional gov
ernments, and from Louis XIV. with his
Il am the State % the French revolu-
tiou with Napoleon Bonaparte preaching
ms " gospel, a career open To talent.
We will Look upon this gradual extension
81 the recognition Of human rights, and
then look cheerfully into the future. We
shall grid up our loins for battle, and for
pushing the triumph Of human happiness
still farther We will remember, too,
that humanity is moving forward, that 1T
Is advancing toward It's final goal-that is,
co realize the idea Of perfect state. Glory
to God in the highest, on earth peace, and
good Will to nan, is its star in the east.
Thitherward has been its course from Of
old
The ingenuity and wickedness Of men
have in vain endeavored to stay its career.
The glory Of kings and Of prelates, and the
supremacy Of creeds and conventiOnalities
have bowed before its majestic movement.
Now ITS trlumpns nave mashed from the
silent cell Of the solitary thinker, and now
the grandeur Of It's march has been accom-
panied by the stately music Of hundred
fields Of blood. Silently, invisibly, and
sternly, it moves to accomplish its destiny
Who shall impede its progress What
arm shall be lifted against that power in
which we live, and move. and have our
being