The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-04-03
- II r. r q III
MR.. HORACE II. DAY
BEFORE The
HGrrisbsss.G Convention.
MARCH 3. 1-15.
SP r q Fl

''Mr. Day, by unanimous request then
addI essed the Convention, and began his
speech by quoting the resolution passed at
the last National gathering Of the Indus
trial Congress at Rochester. as follows
Resolrcd, That it is the duty Of every
person represented in and Dy this congress
t. disregard all the claims Of political
parties aud vote IN all elections only for
those persons who agree with us in our
principles. and We hereby pledge our faith
one to the other IN the future to this line
of duty
The late significant elections came upon
us before We had time to prepare to carry
out this resolution in the proper way /;
/ besides, the panic nterfered and we have
had all We could do to keep our heads
above water. This IL the first large gather
ing Of workingmen since the Rochester
aeetiny hence, hope We will now enter
upon the work We have heretofore -detsfu
mined upon. have q plan to lay before
you, to which invite your Thoughtful con
sderation.
We all understand that our Govern
mental system presupposes that all persons
have rights to an equal share Of all its
spread around us all over the Land.
Now If these wer@not Interfered with -
were not practically overturned, destroyed
by somebody, someho~. the majority of
our labor organizations, Grange organiza-
tions and social benevolent associations
and farmers CLUBS. would not exist. Their
necessity never taken into considera-
ton by the trainers of our systems, and
their existence is evidence of subvertion Of
our inheritance. One by one the solid
guarantees for equal and exact justi e to
all have been practically destroyed. until
our whole system, State and National. mas
become demoralized, rotten, corrupt, and
requires, from top to bottom, outside and
inside, and all through, to be reorgaaised
and reconstructed.
When private capitalists or reckless
gamblers stalk into, or creep under, Oui
legislative halls. demanding or buying
special charters and privileges, it is the
evidence that cunning thieves and enemies
intend, in some form, sooner OF later. to
rob the people, and, az thieves and rob
bers, should be met and vanqnlshed.
If railroad, or a canal, or a bridge, or
any other great public want exist, which
can be supported by the public. such a
want should ALWAYS be supplied by the
people themselves, by and through their
own government, and operated in the
interest and for the equal benefit and ad-
vantage Of all the people The first de-
parture from this principle takes Us away
from the true foundation of n true govern
ment. The second departure is most likely
made necessary by the existence of the
uha \ .k~A
really needed to-day by the people of the
United States is reconstruction, | mean
radical changes Of existing things the
going hack towards first principles. We
have been getting away from . govern
ment of the people, hy the people, for
the people, 80 long, that ruin has
overtaken ~us: we are no longer the
American Republic. We have to-
day practically the worst government,
possibly worse than any monarchy on
earth, and shame and disgrace to the
age we live in and we must reform it by
radical changes. We must. in short, re-.
construct it, and the sooner the evils Of the
existing state of things eliminate, and in
ferment, necessitate reconstruction the
better In effect, this is no longer a re.
publican government: Special charters
and class legislation have created within
the government, powers superior to tbs
government itself, and we are now reapins
the fruits in general disorder and ruin. l,
has come to be thought, that under ths
system itself, no honest officials could b.
found let, if men selected by the peopl,
are willing to take upon themselves t.
serve IN the government offices, and b,
paid therefor, and ARE found stealing. i
no other prompt punishment could b
found, \ would have every such wretch
branded with scar on his cheek. anG
tdrned over to universal scorn. One,
make snch lasting penalty attach to pub
lie thisves, and Offices would quickly fal
into hoanhst hands.
&wAMB-Wow PAID F0R.
The cost ef war sheuld be paid for out O
the eapita1 % be found taxable ut the time