Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-07-07
A W0RKMAN'S CATEcHISM.

The following catechism Is taken
from the machinists' and black.
smiths Journal, and originally ap-
piled to the condition of the miners
in the coal regions. 1t has a moral
for working people of all classes, to
be men, free and Independent in
principle, and use all honorable
means to better their condition and
raise labor to a higher level. 1t also
teaches employers and their repre-.
sentatives that the laborer has
rights as we'll as the capitalist:
Cues. What is your names
Ans. Scallawag.
@. Who gave that nameY
A. My employer and boss, in the
days of my youth, wherein was
made child Of toll, man of sor.
row, and an inheritor of a bundle OF
rags. ,of 6..3e- ~
@. What did your sponsors then
do for yous
A. They did promise and vow
three things in my name: First, that
| should renounce all the comforts
of this life, and the pleasures found
therein !; second, that | should he a
cutter of coal, Il loader of coal, and
when my robust health is gone by
working in foul air, to pick slate in
their dusty breakers; and thirdly,
that I should be slave for them all
the days of my life.
@. Dost thou not think thou art
bound to believe and do as they i'm.
pose upon youf
A. No, by the eternal; and by
Gods help will endeavor to shake
off the chains of Tyranny, take my
position among men and continue to
improve the condition OF my family
until my life's end.
@. Rehearse the articles of thy
belief.
A. | belief that God is no respec-
ter of persons : that He created all
things for the universal and equal
use Of the human family, and that
every person should enjoy the fruits
of his labor; for the laborer is worthy
of his hire. / also believe that Go
not enjoy the fruits of my labor. ]
also believe that | am not able to
pay my store bill this month. l also
believe that | will pay no levles to
sustain traitOrOus miscreants. | also
believe that the miner of this com.
monwealth is deprived OF the sympa.
thy due him by philanthropic peo-
pie, through the false statements OF
a biased press. l believe in the sup.
preston of crime, aud the emancipa.
ton Of all slaves.
@. What dost thou chiefly learn
in these articles OF thy beliefi
A. First, l learn that justice and
Christianity demand that such a
state of things must cease second,
that am q man, endowed by the
Creator with faculties, feelings and
passions similar to my more fortu.
nate lin earthly goods brother;
third, that all delivers under ground,
particularly IN apper Laserme coun.
ty, where that terrible enemy to hu-
man progress, monopolising aristo-
cracy, holds undisputed sway, should
stand shoulder to shoulder in this
warfare for our legal rights, till the
human race is brought to closer
equality, and if needs be, stand the
hydra. headed monster face to face
in the hour of battle, for he who
would not fight for the welfare of his
offspring, would not fight for his
country. Transport him, by Char
on, beyond Styx, he is not worthy
to breathe the air of freedom.
@. BY how many commandments
are you bound. -
a. Ten.
@. Rehearse them.
A. First, Thou shalt not ask for
higher wages, no matter what coal
sells at.
Second. Thou shalt not change
thy place OF working without our
consent, nor complain against us
when wages are low. Thou shalt
not keep o dog or cat, which might
annoy us; for we are thy employers,
and jealous ones, who will visit thee
and thy children with notices OF
ejectment from our shantiss, if thou
disobey us.
Third. Thou shalt not take the
name of thy employer in vain, nor
speak lightly of us, for we will not
hold him guiltless that taketh our
name in vain.
Fourth. Remember thou art a
slave civ days shalt thon Ia hor hut