The Labor enquirer., 1883-10-20

How is that those among us who have
the hearts of men and not of mice can
bear to stand idly by, waiting for chance
to SO shuttle the cards that winning may
come to us by accident?
for one wish that the boldest and
bravest of our host could take such heart
as would urge them to action ere all our
heads be gray, our courage and daring
be chilled by the cOwardice and caution
of old age.
If we ever are to strike blow for our
| liberties, if we ever do propose to place
barrier against that slow and subtle
current that day by dav sweeps silently
away our rights as a free and independ-
ent people, methinks 'tis time at least to
convoke our councils and debate our
plans.
Day by day and hour by hour the in
evitable revolution advances upon us.
Oft in the night | wake with a sudden
start, fancying that hear ringing in my
ears, the suilen murmur Of the gathering
insurgent people. | know that the day
is coming. know that We should be
prepared.
Some unexpected morn, there will, |
know, flash to us the dread news that
our brother slaves in other lands, have
under the spur Of tyrant blows, unfured
the scarlet standard of the mighty war.
And the lightning message will bring us
also their despairing call for aid and
succor, their stern and strange, yet not
to be disdained, appeal to us, yet like
wise to unChain ourselves.
What then shall be our course? What
then shall we of the uppermost western
world dare to do? Let vision strange
and high, born from the dreams of misery
and desperation, answer.
| see the sun set strangely red beneath
the ocean wave; the shadows gather, and
with them hurrying aimless crowds, rest
lessly and eagerly pace our streets. AS
sembled thousands besiege the boards
where every moment new intelligence o
our brothers struggle is announced. The
night draws on. And now a strange &C
tivity, sudden intelligence seems tc
pervade all men. At each street corner
securing some coign Of vantage, mel
arise pale faced and earnest-eyed, rails
ing their vibrant voices in address to th'
people. | recognize their faces as those
of our friends and fellowwOrkers OF to
day.
See how their eyes light up with thu
heroic fire, Mark how their outstretch
ed hands shake with suppressed passion
Behold how their lofty and fiery word
stir to the very depths the eager listen
ers.
, Thus runs the text of every speaker
Slaves, the day of insurrection has al
rived! Now is the fateful hour! lie
those who love liberty follow us to a.
appointed place there to choose leaders
: take arms and begin the conflict for tn
r Rights of Man.
} Responsive to the words the crowde'
masses of awakened people take up thel
march and from all quarters myriad
2 pour unto the great street that cuts ou
metropolis in twain.
There the leaders pause waiting. The
. blazed the city hall with lights at ever
window. Upon the balcony at last az
1 peared the committee, A decree is reaC
names are proposed as leaders, ratifyin
cheers peal out and then recruiting az
y lively begins. Men are hastily forme
in companies and march off to fill thei
orders.
Here goes one band to the railroa
depot, another to the telegraph office:
y others to the armories. Ere midnigh
tolls, all are in the hands of the people
When morn breaks, the press announc
the arrest of our masters, the success
our arms, the triumph at last OF the pro
: tducers of all wealth.
Each fastening hour brings news c