Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-10-12

will realize the truth. This truth is: if
all forms of industry, trade and business
enterprise are to be taken out of the
field Of competition and become mon
opoly of capital it is better to trust an
organized government with the control,
and enable the whole people to have an
equal share in the accrued saving"
A few words may not be amiss as to
some of our practical duties as citizens
Of this great republic i'll the gigantic
task which lies before us. There can be
no doubt in the minds of any, but what
the condition of the nottingham, es-
pecially of the skilled mechanic, has
greatly improved in all countries by
means of the different trade organiza-
tons. These unions, guilds and clans
have shown the power of combination,
and in this way have been great help;
but is there not some danger that they
may distract the attention too much
from the more complete plan of one
grand combination? Knights of Labor
and trade unionists must guard them
selves from the selfish tendency and not
encourage too ardently, class distinc-
tons, for by this course they only Gre
ate barriers which it will be hard to
remove when the day breaks"
As Mr. Bethany so truly says: "The
industry and commerce upon which the
peoples livelihood depends is essentially
mutual dependence should imply the
duty and guarantee of mutual support. ;"
The Nationalsts the Christian Social
lists, the Socialist labor sections, are
organized for the same grand purpose.
These sister societies should be united,
in spirit, by a bond,,o sincere sympathy
and hearty good will. All unworthy
feelings of doubt, suspicion, or jealousy,
on the part of one against another par
ty, must be suppressed, and never
allowed expression; for the methods
adopted by each, in its efforts, must
with good reason be differing in details.
1t seems to me that, at the present
time, the Nationalists have the best
chance for impressing the public mind
with socialistic arguments. The parent
club, in Boston, has already taken some
brave steps in a practical direction, and
the sincere and able men who conduct
this movement should have the cordial
support, not only of all socialists, but of
all citizens who wish to be freed from the
binding, CALLING chains of the present
thraldom. Though no teetotaler nor
prohibitionist, must believe that the
"saloon socialists" are to be avoided in
all counsels. This body of agitators
will never be more than a clog and
hindrance. Whiskey enthusiasm is
worthless. Beer bravado, babbling
boast.
In closing, few words which sound
hackneyed, but which nevertheless will
bear constant repetition on account of
their truth, are in order. The first step
in the direction of any form of State
control in the United States must in
clude a thorough publication of our
political methods; especially we should
insist upon a sweeping reform in our
civil service. Political patronage must
be entirely removed from all elective
offices before any project for national
izing industries can be ventured with
safety. The keen appreciation of the
spoils system, and the difficulty Of up
roofing it, keeps many good men from
joining in our efforts.
Let us keep this fact continually in
memory and cast our votes accordingly.
We must sink all party differences. We
are neither republicans nor democrats,
but Socialists, and must use our ballots
in favor of any measure which tends in
the direction of purer, juster methods of
life.
Finally, it is our duty to cherish a
courageous hope, keeping our hearts
strangers to doubt and dependency, for
the day of salvation cannot be very far
distant.