Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-08-29

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adopted the following resolution.
eve earnestly recommend the organization Of
workingmen i-r political purposes, to be called
the Protective Labor Party having for is object
first, the mutual protection of labor second,
direct representation Of the working classes In
municipal aud siate Legisifl2fss and Congress
third, the repeal Of all oppressive laws against
labor fourth, the enactment Of just laws for the
protection Of labor
At Cincinnati on the same day the
workingmen Of Ohio, in mass-meoting
assembled, nominated State ticket,
and at Columbus like assembly de-
nounced both the Democratic and Re-
publican parties bitterly. This notion
of forming workingmen's party is an
old one, but the delusion has never be.
fore had such fair prospect of tenn
porary success as it now has, for the
laboring classes are discontented and
naturally look to political methods for
relief Such a party can hope for
nothing betterthan temporary success,
and it can only triumph TO the general
detriment to tho community. The
proposed organization will be based
upon class distinctions, profess no
higher object than class interests, and
appeal mainly to class prejudice; it
cannot therefore be a wise and effective
political body. The very idea Of n
government involves the idea Of pol
icy which shall make for the good OF
the whole country, and parties in
order to claim the support of all classes
of citizens, must deal with things
as affecting all. A mans daily ayoca-
ton cannot have anything to do with
his judgment concerning what will be
of advantage to the nation. He should
not look at politics as a carpenter or a
Blacksmith or q stonecuttcr or law
yer or doctor, but as an American,
If the class to which he belongs suffers
any wrong, it can find the readiest
means of redress through the existing
parties whoseprinciplcs ought to cover
every conceivable case Of governmental
injustice or mismanagement. For any
one class-eyen the farmers or laborers
to take the field against the rest ol
tho community is a piece Of folly
The great danger to our system is the
slow aggregation ofthe various elements
society into separate and sometimes o.
antagonistic cliques; and the good
sense Of our mechanics should teach
them to attempt to counteract rather
than accelerate this tendency. But
the great objections to this new party
are not somuoh theoretical as practical
Such an organization is in danger O
becoming the most corrupt influence
in politics. Its leaders, as they assume
the trade Of statesmen, are obliged tc
forgo their ordinary handicraits, ant
the temptation brought to bear upor
them for the sale of their power L
Democrats or Republicans is very
strong They can only keep their or
ganization in the field by series o
coalitions, their followers get disgustet
with the failure to attain any grea
results, political affiliations of fou
. play are reused, and the whole move
ment goes to pieces. This is not
matter of speculation. 1t is the his
tory of politico labor movements a
! they have developed at different point
, throughout the country and affected
municipal elections. In a word tn
! political organizations OF workingmel
to obtain their own aggrandizcment !
too narrow u scheme to lead to th
creation OF a national party.--Nel
York World.