The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-26
THE K. o. s. c.

correspondent writing from LaFay-
cite, Ind, calls our attention 10 the once
powerful organization Of the Knights Of
st. Crispens. In referring to it he says
1T may be true, as Byron said, that
those who would be free themselves must
first strike the blow" Yet it would be
well for the shoemakers Of these United
States if somebody would strike the blow
for them, and organize that craft upon
some plan that would bmd it's conflicting
elements in a solid union Of friendship to-
ward one another thereby enabling them
to maintain their rights and accept moth
ing wrong.
We fully agree with our correspondent
we had the pleasure Of participating in
some of its hard fought battles, in none of
which we entered with more earDestness
and good will than we did the struggle Of
the " Daughters Of St. Crispin, in Balti-
more, Md, for the recognition of the
right of American working women to form
protective associations
We were proud Of the victory, we were
proud Of the order 1t was then in its
palmy days. But like all young powers if
we may 50 speak, they overestimated their
strength, and er-leaped the boundaries
Of prudence and good Judgment.
Their short experience, however short
it may have been, only demonstrated what
could be done under proper and Judi
cious management.
Those men who yet have faith IN the
cause ought again to take the field by all
means. There should be an effort made
to reerganize. Whatever defects we're III the
constitution could easily be remedied, and
so modified and blended together as to
make it harmonious and acceptable to all.
1t must be apparent to every thinking man
that there exists now a greater necessity foI
united action than at any time in the history
of ther epublic. We find capital is nov fore
ing the issue upon labor IN every branch Of
mechanical productive industry. The EN-
ployers of labor are now united, and art
taking the initiative steps in bringing the is
sue to q focGs. The law-making power Of the
States is subordinated to their interest
and already a number of brother toilet
whose only crime was their manhood have
been condemned to SOLITARY CON
FINEMENT in the Pennsylvania Peni
tertiary.
This should be the key note of warnin;
to workingmen from the Atlantic to tn,
dignation that would reach every legisla
tive hall and every Judicial bench in tn
United States.
In that direction reorganization shoult
be the first step, and there are many rea
sons why the X. o. c. 5. should be tn
first one to take that step. The law 0
conspiracy has more than once been he'll
up as a threat to intimidate them iron
seeking their rights, though it was neve
successful. But that was because the sho
interest Of the United States was not a
powerful and did not WELD as much iniu
ence As do the coal and iron interest o
the State of Pennsylvania, nevertheless
they are preparing for the contest am
they too mean to force the issue. How shal
they find you In well organized, com
pact, and disciplined organization, or as
disrupted, dismembered body, vulnerabl
at all points We hope not-yet We hop
you will profit by your last experiment
avoid the shoals upon which your shi
was stranded Reember you have to NEE
another cut down, its success depends y
whether they will find you prepared t
meet them or not.