Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-08

of them knew that in fighting for liberty
they were surely going 20 Siberia or to
the scaifold Fortunately some have
escaped the iron grasp of the autocrat.
Some have come to America, sadly
leaving behind them so much misery
that they could not relieve, ct longing
to see a free country, But what did
they find here? Poverty. Poverty and
suffering everywhere. True. they did
not expect to lind all things right in this
land of the free, but they had able teach.
ers in Russia, who had impressed upon
them the iniquiry of the capitalist
system. But what |, for instance, saw
III the city of New York soon after my
landing seven years ago in the month of
August, surpassed all | had conceived
OF the effects of such a system. Novem-
Der soon disclosed to my wondering
eyes another tableau of American liberty
under capitalism. Here was the corrupt
politician on one side, and the voting
cattle on the other side. People selling
their citizenship fer u drink. In the
face of those stubborn facts | had to
recognize how true it was that no man
could be free under capitalism. Thus
disappointed in the condition of men,
was to be more disappointed still in the
condition of women. ! saw the mothers
of so-called free citizens deprived of ali
human rights, disfranchised, placed by
the law ON a level with minors, idiots
and criminals. A redeeuing feature,
however, is the brave fight that some of
them are making for emancipation.
Again, when in Russia, | was full OF
admiration for the people who had
sacrificed SO much blood and treasure to
abolish chattel slavery. l had no doubt
that the blacks were free. But | saw
here that there could be no freedom
for anyone, black or white, in ignorance
and wage slavery. You have here q
cruel Gar, Competition, to be succeeded
by his son, Monopoly. Competition,
which lashes women and children with
the whip of hunger, and turns inventive
genius into an instrument of misery.
"But there is at last ray of light in
this sombre sky. In New York $4,000
men march to the polls, not to endorse
the theory of Henry George be-
lieves in competition and in the right of
capital to interest-but to demand pure
politics and social justice. The prole-
tariat of other cities gives similar signs
of awakening. True it is ouly flash, a
bubble. But progress never tires. 1t is
at work, feeling its way in the darkness.
A book, novel, ID published. It's IA
mere novel, Looking Backward" and
Nationalism shall say American Mill.
ismO springs from it armed for the
conflict In the American Nationalist
the Russian Nihilst and the German
Socialist have found brother. Come
what may, our ideal must be realized,
for the logic of events is with us. Then,
friends, let us join hands and work toge-
ther, persistently and untiringly."
At the conclusion of this address the
ball began. But while some were enjoy.
ing the dance, Others were debating the
various phases of the labor movement.
Here and there group of flushed faces
could be seen, eagerly listening to one
in their midst, who spoke in dead earn
est upon some question involved in the
great work of lapor emancipation. Thus
do our Hartford comrades bestir them
selves, and advance the cause to the
best of their ability.