The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-06-10
MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY.

IL Is all sheer nonsense to expect any
thing from the laboring Glasses; working
| nan will be workingman to the end Of the
chapter, and he VIII never occupy other
than subordinate position. said friend
the other evening, who had been con.
slant reader of the ADVOCATE. MEN Who
are in earnest can do anything within the
range of possibility, but most Of our me-
chanics seem perfectly content with the ir
position, and act upon the principle, To
day let us eat and drink for Tomorrow we
die While the pride Of some would re-
bel against any such conclusion, If their
conduct during the past is any index for
the future-We are panied TO admit there
Is more truth than poetry in these re-
marks. Morkingmen you icN continue to
! BE- workingmen that is remain stamped
F, wI,.. u Of inferiority both in the social
and intellectual world-until you are act
uAte2 by a nobler ambition-and realise
your destiny must lie carved by your otc1.
hands. Your position is similar to that of
a drowning man calling for help, while you
refuse to accept the life preservor within
your reach. We are sick and tired of read
ing and hearing Of this and that strike,
which in a majority of cases, results more
disastrously to the employed than the en-
ployers, while you refuse to adopt meas
ures which would render these strikes I'M
possible. Neither does it avail to be con
tinually harranguing on the aggressions or
greed Of capital while you neglect to strip
it of its power-by systematic cooperation.
The admission Of the existence Of an evil
accomplishes nothing, if your action is not
predicated on determination to change it.
AS matters stand at present, the privileges
which VOC possess as American citizens are
curse instead Of blessing to you. These
advantages, which, in the hands Of earnest
men would prove your salvation, have
been the means of debasing you. for if you
had not possessed them you could not have
exercised them t. your own injury. Sup
pose the mechanics If Sheffield or Blrminy-
ham possessed the elective franchise for
one year, would they occupy the position
you do to-day Did you ever think what
the intelligent, united efforts of 70, 600 men
could accomplish, and then bring the mat
ter home and ask yourselves the question
what have the workingmen Of Chicago
lnpa -, a
one, "What hare done. as one of these
10000, to raise myself or fellow men from
the slough Of contempt, to give practical
illustration of the dignity Of labor, OF repu-
date the Islander that We are not in the mud
stills Of society r. Have you worked as earn
estly for the establishment of Trades
nlon-the first step Ill the right dlrec-
ton, the success Of the Cooperative Asso-
cation, the establishment of a Mechanics
Institute or Reading Room, as you have
for the election Of ward constable or
a pound master! Did your tongue ever
tire in urging upon your fellow mechanic
the necessity Of uniting his influence 20
your own in building these es entails, as
often as it has tired in defending the policy
Of the Democratic or Republican parties
Ii you cannot answer these questions in
direct, satisfactory manner yoV are directly
ehdrgedble with this apathy, and should lay
the blame where it eXlsts-at your otrn
door.
We have reason to believe traitors exist
in our own ranks, who are loud in their
professions Of loyalty to labor's interests,
but whose actions belle their professions !;
who are always ready to throw cold water
Oh every enterprise and pronosticate de-
feat. And yet It is strange that such crea-
lures should exercise any influence with
earnest, intelligent men. What, for exam
pie would the Republicans have thought
of the man who, while advocating the
principles Of that party, cast his own vote
on the day Of election for the Democratic
nominee, and urged others to do likewisel
And yet not more inconsistent is the &C
ton Of these men. But this is begging
the question. Every privilege which you
can expect, workingmen of Chicago is al
ready guaranteed; if you fail to use them for
your own advantage, you alone are respon-
sibls and you alone will be the sufferers,
as you richly deserve to be- But it is
loBG lane that has no turn, and though
your day Of probation is fast passing away,
after which your regrets like those of the
lost, will come too late, an opportunity is
yet presented to redeem yourselves cat
tempt great things, and expect great
things" Remember, as DR. Collyer says,
to be somebody you must do something,
and let that something be the determine
ton to cultivate those traits Of character
which dignity mankind, to foster a manly
independence, to cease croaking and 60 to
work as men who are in earnest, to de-
termine you will be somebody, redeem
the time left, and prove your ability to &C.
cupy q more exalted position Give it but
one fair, honest, impartial trial, and like
the Queen Of Sheba, you will be col vInced
the half has not been told you.
pfrxnly