The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-04-24

some Of the greatest industrial struggles
this country has ever been the thester OF
nor arc they ended, or likely 70 be, until an
equitable tribunal be established. wherein
ali disputes Of this nature must be AMIGA
bly, and peaceabiy settled upon the prlnci-
pies Of equal and exact justice to all, and
not upon the power or influences Of the
one, and the h-l plessness and dependence
of the other
| scarcely need to remind you that In
dustriAl Reform implies the promotion VI
| peace and harmony, progress and prosperI-
ty. and the general welfare II humanity
that il does not mean that the dictAtion and
! tyranny Of one party or class shall be super
ceded by the arbitrary OF vindictI,e control
of a party III class formerly III subsection !,
bur AS the work of reform advances, it will
carry with It the inestiniable blessings of
higher. nobler and better existence To tine
producing classes and that any check II
may receive from opposition. revolution, Of
violence, will not be the fault Ut the prin-
ciples involved, but the crude mode adopt
ed Of putting them into effect, or the de-
termined effort If those supposing them
! selves lnvIhcible, to stop its progress.
The work Of organization is one of neces-
atty, AM viii demand your most earnest
and careful consideration. Any orgsnizA-
tion, no matter how crude, Ut for what
purpose, denotes All awakening lntellI-
geuce, and the rapidity with which reform
movements are sprlnglng up, the avldlty
with which they are seized, clearly midi
Gates that We, class, are being rapidly
educated to the Importance Of some action
that will insure us at least partial release
from some Of the evils to which We, as
workingmen, are subject. And tins fact
alone imparts bright hope for the future.
The form of organization, the manner OF
prosecuting the work. and the means OF
giving it the greatest efficiency in carrying
out or putting into effect the principles we
profess, aud securing the objects for which
We contend, is Of the highest Importance
for you to consider.
Organizations for mutual aid and protec-
ton are good as far as they go, but the
idea Of protection presnpposes the exist
euce of danger from which protection Is
needed And complete and perfect or
ganization must provide for the removal OF
that danger.
We must not concede that the best We
see Is the best that can be obtained this
principle would place inventors IN very
pucertalu light, and cOnsIgu the future 20
the modes and habits Of the present
am tu.ly convinced that the present ba-
SIS Of representation is imperfect; it Is per
haps the best we can have under the present
system Of organization, but 1t is the duty
OF thus congress to devise a means OF cor
recting every defective system OF habit
that prevails. The object of this congress
=. 4. h,,t
to strengthen each and unite the whole.
! believe the representation should be by
States or districts the delegates elected
by State OF district councils. or assemblies,
composed Of Representatives from each
trade or labor organic alton, within the
state or district Ny reasons for this be
| lief are that more efficiency may be OBJ
tanned, greater economy secured, aud a
more thorough organization effected
] Again. the field is too great for any execu-
I tive officer 10 give the attention and per
form tAe work necessary 70 sectre the Oh
iects we have III view, IT even render
efficient al in any particular case
We want National Congress with no
sectional OF perses~- prucllvities, but to
embrace The entire county,, Nth the entire
interests OF productive industry Ii is
your duty to 50 legislate as % promote
these ends
There are numerous other questions
4 which will properly come under your no
| tlce, none Of which can Justly be treated
and disposed Of By the adoption or relec
tIon OF a resolution endorsing or dIsap-
proving thereof; but all action must have
an applicability. and the ways aud means
Of its application clearly drhued. or no
real work will have been accomplished
What We most want is work not words
action not belief
The subject u cooperation IS one Ut
vast importance, one that can not well be
over estimated, when considered in its
threefold bearing Of production, distrIbu-
ton and protection And as the success
of any principle or measure 50 largely de-
ponds upon its clear appreciation, 1t is nee
essary that you should plainly mark out
the line Of action which will lead 10 its
ultimate adoption.
Female labor will also claim more than a
passing notice at your hands. Every
avenue 10 productive and distrlbutive in
dustry should be opened wide to our toll
ing sisters, AS well every aid and encour-
sgement extended that will enable them
to unite, not Dnly among themselves, but
| firmly III bonds Of fellowship with all and
secure to them all the benefits of your
ripper experience and accumulated strength.
Ia many places in the New England
States, they are now striving to avert the
threatened danger Of penury, starvation
OF crime, aud common justice demands
your aid.
The important question Of arbitration
should receive, as it deserves, your most
earnest attention, and | believe this Con-
gress, should not adjourn until it has ex-
pressed a strong and decided opinion that
all trade disputes should De settled by ar
b'tration that the employee should always
demand it, and if the employers refuse,
let the blame and consequence rest upon
them. This meals should be adopted in
order to stop strikes and lock outs. They
are the bane Of the country, injurious to
employer aud employed, aud ike any 9th
er evil they should be eradicated. The
future prosperity Of our country demands
it. The development Of the resources Of
our country demands il. The comfort and
happiness Of our families demand il. And
these demands will not be satisfied unless
1t Is as a last resort to prevent the entailing
Of a hopeless servitude upon the country
but these desirable ends can not be at
tanned until all trade disp ties are settled
by arbitration. Nothing can be more sim
pie il labor desires an increase Of wages
aud the employers refuse to give it, the
men should remain al their work, and sub
nit their demands 10 ali impartial arbitra-
tor; or, if reduction of wages is demand
ed, let it be submitted in the same way,
and cease this inhuman and unchristian
habit Of starving honest labor into sub
mission to unjust demands. Those who
have right and justic, On their side will
receive the verdict; but We do not endorse
the principle OF starving labor for months,
and then ask for an arbitration. l am
aware that with the limited facilities
employees have for creating public opin-
ion. much doubt prevails Of our abiIi-