The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-04
FROM GEORGIA.

find in its columns any item not decidedly
interesting to the working classes Of all
sections of the country. Now, the ques-
tion naturally presents itself Do the
working people app reciate the services of
those who labor and exert themselves in
their behalf | am sorry to have to say
it, but in my opinion they do not On the
contrary, they uphold and encourage, by
their patronage, newspapers which persist
III the nefarious practice of censurIng and
ridlcullng them on every available occasion
where a difference arises between labor and
capital while their true friends, the cham
plous ot their rights, the able and willing
exponents Of their cause, are allowed to
ek- ont a miserable existence, or give up
the ghost altogether. Such is generally
the tate Of newspapers published in the
interests Of the working people Of Amer
icI.
MorkIngmen, why is tins 1t is about
time to take this question into consldera-
tAflA- AAON hhNh ApiASNA 1AN gbh SUNG W
persist III the foolish practice Of paying to
be abused and misrepresented, by support
ing, through your su descriptions, newspapers
that manifest no interest whatever in your
@elfare-nelther past, present, nor future
to he detrlment of your own true inter
ests, IN neglectIng to support those papers
that are battling for your rights and the
rights Of your posterity Workingmen,
the time IS come for you to be up and doing
something; and what that something is,
you who do not read these labor papers
will never know. You have grievances TO
rectlfy, and how best to do it, you do not
know. Neither will you know, if you fail
to read those papers devoted exclusively
to your cause. There is plenty of talent
in this country, able and willing, at your
command. All that is necessary is your
s,iid support. Now is the time to aid and
encourage it. The merchant, the lawyer,
nifty, together with the politician and ring
workers, all aid and encourage those
papers, and only those, that work in their
interest. But the working people-oh,
how different Is it any wonder that We
are looked upon as slaves and serfs ! If
Se would support only the labor press, We
would soon become recognized power III
this free American country; and those
hugh toned, would-be aristocrats would
soon become aware Of our existence. We
could send men Of our own choice to legis-
iate and make laws--not arbitrary, as
exist at present We could demand justice
from those who are now trying to humi-
late US. Now, then, as working men, let
US show all those true and tried good men
that we are deserving a share Of their time
and talent in our behalf. Then there will
not be 50 many ready and willing to con
demn our organizations as being ciques
combined 20 injure capitalists. Let US
pause and consider this subject. Reader,
here draw on your own imagination. Are
we, as workingmen, doing our duty |
think not. We are, comp aratively speak
dition. On the contrary, We are allowing
ali other combinations to use us, to suit
their base designs. Oh, workingmen Of
America must we remain perpetually on
our knees, and cringe and whine like half
starved spsnniels : If we do, it is our own
fault. We, the working people, are our
selves to blame. We have always been
our own worst enemies; for it is decreed
by our Heavenly Father, the Ruler of the
Universe, that God helps only those who
try to help themselves. We must expect
dull times and reverses-even defeats; they
are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence
to call forth greater energies. Now, all
that we require is unity in action, and to
battle manfully this our present misfortune,
incident to the times. and all will come
right in the end.
Let us first put stop to this wild and
malignant bombsst and bowling denuncia-
alton against the workingmen by the rabid
press of the country Let us support our
own labor papers, and no others. Then,
and not till then, can we expect justice.
Then, as the devil must be fought with
fire, we can be able to meet our enemies
and traducers with their own weapons. |
look to the power Of the press as our only
salvation. 1t is mightier than the sword,
when judiciously welded. De TocqueviIle' $
remarks will strengthen my assertion. He
says: ''The press, a newspaper, can drop the
game thought into a thousand minds at the
same moment. A newspaper is an adviser;
PES not require to be sought, hut comes
to you without distracting your private
affairs Newspapers, therefore, become
more necessary in proportion as men be-
come more equal individuals, and more to
be feared by tyrants"
A word to the wise is sufficient; but
working people are never wise. Conse-
quently, it will require some ableI pen
than mine to arouse them to true sense
Of their duty. All those who have tried
it have found it hard task; for bitter
selhshness, petty jealousy and chronic
growing are the predominant passions Of
the great majority Of workingmen in this
country. This is the state Of affairs that
capitalits, monopolists. corporations and
political tricksters desire to see in the
ranks of labor. Workingmen of Amer
lea, arouse from your lethargy! Duty
calls you Take a sensible view IF mat
ters and things, and think you will real
ize the fact that it is TO your in
terest to stop subscribing for newspapers