The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-26
DEsPorIsM OR FREEDOM

The announcement that the starvation
process resorted to in the anthracite
regions of Pennsylvania by the operators
TO crush the miners, has been partly sue
cessful is hailed with undisguised satisfac-
ton by every friend Of tyranny and OPP
preston. This congratulation, however,
is the result of ignorance. While it is
true a good many miners have been tenn
porarily starved into submission, 1t by no
means follows that a solution of the wages
quest ion has been reached. This can
never be effected by the tyrannical and op-
pressive mode adopted by the mine own
ers. At this time the political power and
the combined wealth of the strongest cor
porations are being used to destroy the
spirit Of trade unionism, and victimize
its recognized leader. The thieves who
manipulate the political wires of the Key
stone State, and the managers of the coal
minis have resolved, that the min
ers Union, and indirectly all other unions,
must be broken down. If workingmen ex-
pect to assert or maintain their equality
before the lac they must prepare to defend
their rights. At present the political
power of Pennsylvania, and the money
power Of its corporations have combined
to crash President Siney, at ali haz-
ards. The edict has gone forth, and we
may rest assured no effort will be spared
to secure his conviction.
This determination does not arise from a
desire to punish crime by no means, bit
because he is the recognized leader of an
organization of workingmen, who stand in
the way of the lordly despots, and who
must be cowed into complete submission.
For his prosecutors have determined he
must suffer; and for this reason, the distin-
guished attorney of the Pennsylvania Rail
road in the United States Senate, Wallace,
has been called upon to secure his convic-
ton. and this attorney is to be supported by
representative politicians of both parties,
in order to divest the trial Of political sig
nihcance. Both Of the old political par
ties are equally devoted to the cause Of
the capitalists. Both parties are also de-
termined to crush the workIngmen. The
cause Of John Siney is the cause Of every
man who earns his living by the sweat OF
his brow. If he can be convicted, then
the Presidents and every member Of 1 labor
union can be convicted and imprisoned,
simply because of their connection with q
labor union. This great effort which is
being put forth by the monopolsts is to
crush unionism. The intention is to make
workingmen forever dependent entirely
upon the good will of capitalists.
The Pennsylvania tyrants do not antici
pate an easy victory, or they would MOI
exert themselves as strenuously as they
are now doing but it is doubtful whether
they fully appreciate President Siney'
strength. 1t is some satisfaction to know
that he will be defended by the best lega
talent in the United States, and his acquit
| pAOOdDAC3 bih
tremendous odds against him, will be
glorious victory for the labor reform move
ment.
But the great lesson which should b
, Learned by all is, neither political part.
has sympathy with the labor reform move
ment Both are pledged to strengthen
) the cause of the capitalist, and weaken tn
cause Of the laboring men Hence, If v
{ are to succeed in elevating, We must frs
organize as an independent political party
5 unite our energies and cary over our re
forms at the ballot box. We, ourselve
, must determined whether worklngmen ar
: slaves, who live upon the bounty Of indul
= gent masters, or whether we are free mel
capable of ruling ourselves. 1t is the dut
| Of every toiler in the land to make Presl
2 dent Siney's cause their own. His con
3 viction places them in danger. His ac
r auital strengthens their sacred cause.
=