Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-08-03
LABOR L}CEt VI.

Ifut. lie Leon, OF NOlulnDld NOIege,
lectured before the Labor LyCeum, Is
East Fourth street, Friday, July 10Th.
The meeting was very well attended,
showing that the subject of "National-
ism was one of widespread and grow.
ing interest The following is a syn
opsis of the lecture
The characteristics Of any movement
must be twofold first, the object aimed
at; second, the means to be used
The Nationalist movement proposes
to realize the highest development of
the individual morally, Intellectually
and physically. As Lassalle said to the
German worklngmen twenty seven
years ago, the leaders Of the National
lists say to the Americans, that they have
mastered the sciences of the past, and
have studied the laws of political
economy We have here a country
with free institutions, and yet we are
cursed with a system of slavery that
Expresses the people as in Russia.
1t is not the wealth country pos
sesses that makes the people contented
and happy, but the manner in which the
wealth is distributed. Under the com
pettive system misery must be the lot
of the many, for the rich and powerful
will always crush the poor and weak,
and the consequences of free cOmpeti-
ton are mOnOpOlies and trusts.
NatiOnalists look upon government
not as an oppressive force, as an institu-
ton foreign to the people, but as eman-
atmg from the people. 1t is the very
self Of the nation. NatiOnalists, there
fore, deem it necessary, and demand
that all industries shall be of national
organization. because these are the
peoples interests, and, consequently,
the concerns Of the government,
We are not, like the anarchists, OPP
posed to all government, but we are
opposed to the present industrial system,
that accrues to the profit of the few.
The individual owes duties to the gov
eminent, but the government owes
greater duties to the individual.
The Nationalists demand, first, the
right to the opportunities of labor and
security for all the result Of it; sec
ond, assurance of promotion; the graft
tication of laudable aspirations; the
sense of honor; third, pensions for the
disabled by accident or old age. This
right all are entitled to who have
worked and thus contributed to the
wealth Of the people, just as the soldier
who is ready to sacrifice his life for his
country is entitled to a pension when
old or disabled.
We demand certainty of position Tor
all. At present the poor and the sick
succumb. By Matchmaking the indus
tries poverty will be abolished and sick
ness will be relieved.
We recognize the laws of exchange
Of values, and propose to establish a
government composed of representa-
tives of trades unions. The present
barbaric competitive system must go,
and with it the accused system of wage
slavery. What we are aiming at is
Socialism, although we have another
name for it. simply because the name
must be adjusted to the history of the
country. Our democrats do not cal
themselves Progressists. as in Spain
neither do our Free Traders call them
selves Liberals, as in England,
As the post office departments nation
allied, as the schools, the fire, tbs
police, the water supply and other de-
pdrifueutS are llullClpdl tOuCSTuS, SO bC
we propose to organize all industries.
Nationalism is not the only radica
movement in this country. There ar,
the temperance, the greenback. tn,
single-tax movements, but none of then
goes to the root of the evil and tn,
good that all of them are aiming at will
be achieved if the Nationalist move
ment, in which the best elements of tn
American people are joining, is crowne,
with success.
A number of questions were asked