The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-24
SOUND TALKt
From One Who Desires a Government
BY and for the
People.

DENVER, Maach 22.-Mr. Editor, being
a workingman, and one who is Binterested
in the welfare of all who earnftheir bread
by the sweat of their face, / desire to say
a few things to your many readers with
Preference to the coming city election and
the ticket nominated at East trurner hall
last Monday night
There is no reason in the world why
the workingmen should not elect whom
sOeTer they choose at this, or any other
election. They certainly have the num-
bers sufficient for this result and if they
are awake to their interests they will do
all in theirpower to accomplishit. There
is, l know, Mr. Editor prejudice
among a certain class against men who
toll for living taking an active part in
the government of city, state or nation.
This prejudice arises from a false idea
that working people are necessarily ig-
norant and not fitted to un dertake a
work Of such Supposedly great magni-
tude. This prejudice is all wrong and
without foundation in a single fact.
There are as intelligent men among the
wageworkers of this city as among anv
other class; men who are thorough stu
dents and scholars in the matter of DO
litical economy, and men who could, if
called upon, successfully and fcreditably
discharge the duties of the highest Office
in the gift of the people of this great
state. Intelligence does not necessarily
wear a silk hat and diamonds The
c0mmOnest laborer in the citv NAV have,
the grandest theories with reference to
political administration, and in the
details his education and manner of OBJ
tanning living has made him.a practical
man.
Do not understand that IcouDseI a
complete revolution Of the old customs
at one blow; but wish merely to say
that the masses, who are sometimes
thought of too little consequence and
brain to even vote inteIIigiblv havemany
in their ranks worthy of being voted for,
for the highest position in the gift of a
people.
This is called a government of the
people, for the people and by the people,
and, Mr.. Editor, l hold that we, the
people, should step braveIy to the front
and show that this is a government of
the people in fact Then the govern
ment will be by the people, and then,
and not until then will it be govern
ment for the people, We must arise and
trample under the foot of asserted man
hood the political knaves who trade and
exist on the prejudice before spoken Of
for they are the class that reapthe bene-
tits of this unfOunded belief IN the i'm
potency of all who labor for their dailv
sustenanCe. There are three distinct
parts or classes in the general makeup
of the citizens Of this government: The
aristocrat, the so-caIled pIebian and the
knave who stands between the two, op-
pressing and holding down ONE while
he robs him, and toadying to the other
while he courts his favor There can
never be a union between the two latter.
there never will be by the fEstand last,
What remains then but for the people.
the proietariat, who Outnumber, eight to
one, the combined forces of both the
others, to stand forth and with one
mighty swoop wipe out the prejudice of
the aristOCrat and Obliterate the class
who stand between to plunder both.
Now, sir, must ask you to appeal to
the better senses of the people and en-
deayor to urge them on to the "culmina
ton, which means equal rights and a
government for the people, appeal to
them by the memory of their 'sainted
ancestors, who foughtan died for liberty,
by the love they bear their great and
beautiful country, and the hopes they
have for pOsterity, to do their duty and
stand by the right.
1 had intended to speak at lencth of
the excellent ticket nominated at the
Workngmen's convention, but, as have
already used up'too much Of va. .ur vaIu-
able space, Twill simply say that hope
every man in the city of Denfer who
has to maintain himself and his family
by toll, will vote the straight. ticket on
April 3, and help to hoist the banner On
that day under which the workingmen
Throughout this entire commonwealth