The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-23
LABOR QULSrIUNs.


The future of labor in America is a ques-
ton of altogether too much importance to
be brushed aside as il its consideration was
beneath the dignity of statesmen or men of
thought in any of the walks of life. The
organs of Shylocks, the poor, driveling, plant
tools of the money power, like the Journal,
may find it to their interests to cry ''com.
'munism" or seek, with loaded muskets, to
silence the demands of labor for an honor
able recognition of.one OF the great forces IN
carrying forward the grand enterprises of the
country. Such proceedings, however, do
not satisfy the demand. The labor capital
of the country is one of its greatest elements
of growth and prosperity. There is
something elevating in its contem-
plation. The producing classes form
the real power of the country. Com
pared with them in this regard all other
classes dwindle to insignifcance. Bronze
browed and horny handed they may be,
nevertheless when their strength is massed
they become irresistible. The laboring peo-
pie of America are feeling of each others
pulse. Interchange of thought and purpose
has already commenced. They have suffered
untold and Undesirable fortunes in. the re-
suit of radical legislation, and when they
have sought relief radical organs like the
Journal have advocated shooting them down
on the streets like dogs, or have shouted,
like Pharisees, 'imprison theml" Radical
legislation has bankrupted labor. 1t has
disregarded the appeals of laboring men
and branded them as turbulent. vicious
and dangerous 1t has closed the
workshops of the country, forced willing
hands into idleness, and then with devilish
cruelty sought to disgrace every wanderer
for work by the appellation of tramp" and
have exhausted every device to drive them
into crime, by making poverty the excuse
for prosecution and conviction. Still labor
demands a hearing, and the democratic
party will see that it is granted. The first
great demand of laboring people is work.
The cry is heard in every hamlet, village
and city in the land, and the question is
being asked, Why are willing hands idle2
Why this army of tramps on
ell the highways of the country
Why this alarming increase of crime and
poverty? Why this widespread bankruptcy
and ruin2 And the answer comes quick as
lightning from theyclouds: Radical legisla-
ton in the interest of the money power and
in direct conflict with the welfare of the
toiling masses. The facts are cumulative,
exhaustive and conclusive. The Shylocks
and their organs may pile up their sophisms,
exhaust prevarication and duplicity, but
A.
They can not obliterate the seven-fold
curses that radical legislation has
heaped upon the. people; curses
that have crushed and blightsd the homes of
laboring men by thousands and tens of
thousands from the center to the circumfer-
ence of the country. The peoples representa-.
tiyes in congress have proposed means of
relief. The repeal of the resumption law
wall arrest contraction and set powerful
| forces in operation TO restore confidence and
vitalize business. The demonstration of
silver, It's free coinage and unlimited legal
tender will give the country a larger volume
of currency and still further tend
to revive industries, and thereby
| give laboring men employment
These measures the Shylock organs antago-
nize, and should they pass congress the
Journal, In the wealth of its hatred OF work
ingmen, demands that Hayes shall veto
them. The democratic party, always the
| friend of labor, demands legislation in the
interest of the whole people. 1t champions
the cause of labor. 1t insists upon the en-
actment of such laws as shall not antagonize
labor and silence the hum of machinery
| The estimate is that for twelve months pas.
5000, 900 Of laboring men have been out Of