The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1877-04-21
FIRST PRIZE ESSAY
Il r A d Z S MON 8 y!
For which fifty pounds Che gf, o. Mr. Maedon-ld I'd, ~
were awarded at the Liverpool Trades Uniou
Congress, January, 1875


ions were considered too insignificant for
notice. The press entirely ignored them,
and publishers refused to print literature
concerning them. When their existence
Was at last recognized, they were treated
with an incorporating hostility. They
were regarded as enemies to social order
and progress. 10 be Trades Unionist
was to be dangerous character" and
that Trades Unions ought to be suppressed
was the general opinion ct what is called
the respectable" portion OF the coInmun-
ity. All this is now changed. Trades
Unions are not only acknowledged ~ re
Justihable, but necessary. Magazine edi
tors throw open their pages to the Unions
champions, and even the Trades Union
secretaries themselves contribute articles
20 the leading publications Of the day.
The representatives of Unions hold con
verse with Cabinet Ministers. and the ss-
sistance OF the societies is eagerly sought
by candidates for Parliamentary honors
The proceedings Of the Congresses are tel
egIaphed from one end Of the kingdom to
the other. Unions are now Acknowledged
as power for good, and, to crown all.
they have succeeded in placing two Of their
secretaries in the House Of Commons it.
self.
1t was discovered that what Unionists
wanted was, net to rob capital, but obtain
for labor its rights. 1t was hoped that the
employers would see the question in this
light; and one of the most distressing
features in the discussion Of this Question
Is the violent hostility, the determination
to tight, the desire tor war, displayed in
the programme Of ''The National Fedora
ton of Associated Employers of Labor. 3"
That document, however, testifies to the
power and efficacy of Trades Unions. which
Is the point at present under consldera-
tion. Amidst goo deal Of misrepresen
tation the employers acknowledge that the
Unlonlsts have an elaborate organiza-
tion." Few are aware" they say, "of
the extent, compactness Of organization,
large resources, and great influence Of
Trades Unions. They have an annual
Congress at which an increasing number Of
Unions are represented each year" ''They
have the control of enormous funds. which
they expend freely, in furtherance of their
objects, and the proportion Of their earn
lngs which the operatives devote to the
service Of their leaders is startling" We
should think so, 10 the mind Of q selfish
master. The associations ''are federated
together, acting H. common accord, under
able leaders" They have 3 well paid
and ample staff Of leaders, most Of them
experienced in the conduct Of strikes,
many Of them skilful as organizers. ali
forming class apart. profession, with in
terests distinct from, though not neces-
sarily antagonistic 70, those Of the work
people they lead" ''They have, through
their command of money, the imposing
aspect OF their organization, and partly,
also, from the mistaken humanitarian as
pirations Ut u certain number Of literary
men meh Of good standing sic mistaken
men. !. e., as the late j. S. Mill, Prof.
Beesley, Fred. G. Harrison, Henry Cromp
ton, W, L. Thornton, and othersl, q large
array OF literary talent, which is prompt
in their service on all occasions Of con-
troversy. They have their own press as q
held for those exertions Their writers
have free access to some of the leading
London journals. They organize frequent
meetings at which paid speakers inoculate
the working classes with their ideas, and
urge them to dictate terms to candidates
for Parliament. They have a
standing Parliamentary Committee, snda-
programme, and active members of Par
lament are energetis in their service.
They have the attentive ear Of the Minis
ter Of the day, and their communication
are received with instant and respectful
attention. The masters are CALLED. They
have q large representation Of theIE own
body in London whenever Parliament ID
likely to be engaged in the discussion Of
the proposals they have caused to be
brought before it. Thus, untrammelled
by pecuniary considerations, and specially
ret apart tor this peculiar work, without
other clashinS occupations, they resemble
the staff Of ueli-organiEed. well-provis'
ioned army, for which everything that
foresight and Pre-occupation in given pur
pose could provide il ct command.
l. These results are the deserved rewart
Of the superiority Of the Trades Unionistl
over the IN. loyes in those high qualities
OF foresight, generalship, and present self