The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-09-19
FROM MICHl6Ah.


HONAAA'f -
r., The Editor u the WuKKISanASs Agyo.An
There are around us at all times abund-
dant tests of the value Of the remedies
brought forward f,r the emancipation and
welfare q labor. A. o. sheldon, ia his
recent essay, stands substantially ON the
interconvertible bonds and currency idea
of the labor party, and views the advant-
ages in the most ruseate light. lie sup
poses it would be a remedy for want 81
employment, compulsory poverty, Psnies
and everything else. No doubt the re-
duction of interest would be beneficial to
labor. bat whoever regards the depend
ence Of labor upon capital, as a tixity for
all time 10 ONE. making labor perpetual
"hewer uf wood and drawer Of water,
subject, to the tyTannIes and disabilities
necessarily connected with such depend
ent condition takes a superficial and un-
satisfactory view Of labors' necessities, and
its grand future.
There must be some reason for our con
slant failures to inaugurate a great poh1l-
cal party that shall carry every State, and
sweep away the rotten rings and poiiti-
clans that have 50 long controlled US
Have not our platforms and policies been
too feeble To excite enthusiasm and the ne
cessary sacrifices Do they touch the
mind or heart Of the working man OF aver
age intellect and education 1t would re-
| auire almost political revolution to get
rid Of the entrenched national banks, and
reduce the rate of interest to 500. We
should have to discard five out OF SIX OF
the prominent politicians Of the country.
And surprising we could accomplish all
this, after prolonged struggle, would
there not still remain an ommpotent
monied class Would it not compel labor
to support il in ease and luxury through
profits and INTEREST," Would the change
give labor control Of a single dollar Of cur
rency Could labor regulate ITS wages
its hours of toll and its surroundings any
better than it does at present Would u
not still continue in helpless serfdom 70
other classes
This labor problem has not yet been
half worked out even IN imagination. IL
is not a petty one-horse movement, to oe
patted on the back by leading Pohtl-
clans" and roped in TO the support OF tins
or that faction. The struggle must ana
will become national, being no less than
conflict for the entire Independence Of la
Dor. and it's ultimate control Of govern
ment, finance, production and dlstribu-
ton.
The farmers are the natural allies OF the
workingman, and necessarily form part OF
the labor movement. Their war against
railroads and commercial extortlonlsts Will
gradually swell to a conflict with all forms
Of tyranny, financial rascahty and monleo
MONOPOLY. In England there Is low rate
Of interest, and bonds can be purchased
when desired, but what il the condition O
labor II is compelled there, as here, t
support the whole upper creed OF 50
4 ciety. Labor is in constant conflict witt
capital, lock-outs here and strikes there
Shall such always be the condition OF tn
trade, generation after generation Sure
ly not.
Now, suppose after calling in the Presen
currency, we issue the new one TO orgsnlz
ed cooperative labor everywhere, 'c't"o''
interest. setting it to work on its own ac
count, buying, leasing or building factorle
and workshops, establishing manutac tune
in all favorable agricultural regions, bring
ing producer and consumer together Will
the least waste of laber and capital, and II
word permitting the consolidated co
operative labor 10 alternately manage thu
whole productive and distributive agencle
Of society, without paying tribute to otne
classes
This would be a remedy worth studying
/ for. Labor would be free forever. NJ
3 movement is remedy which permits Of
! the serfdom Of labor.