Year: 1869

Now that the poor negro has been so nd
orally and permanently provided for, we
submit whether he ought not to be drop
ped for season. aud the interests OF the
poor white man be taken up and consider
ed. For one, at least, we are disposed to
divide the government patronage, and
government influence, so as to let in the
laboring white men of the country. Men
of our own race and color have some claims
upon our sympathy.and energy, which We
are bound to recognize and respect.
Therefore we are bound to force this ques-
tion-of the white mans interest-into
politics. And for the purposr of promot.
ing and fostering the interest of labor and
laboring men in all the states of this
Un ion, We declare for free trade.


Every man should have the right to
work and labor without restraint or hind-
erance, and sell the products of his labor
in the markets of the world without re>
strictions, and without:paying tribute to the
tariff monopolies of the country Labor
is digni6ed and honorable, because it is
the source Of all wealth, physical happi-
Less, and prosperity. 1t should be the
highest aim OF government to protect la


Dor and industry, be removing all tax and
restraint npon its products, until the la
borer has been paid the highest price that
can be obtained in the markets of the
| whole world. And also, that the laborer
be permitted to purchase the necessarles of
life in the cheapest market, without being
compelled 10 pay duty or tariff tax to
build up and support the moneyed mon.
Opolies OF those eastern trade managers
who purchase their tariff laws, and other
friendly legislation, with the money that
rio h
and from the backs of poor children.


Tariffs do not help nor enrich govern
ment, but they do enrich few individuals
by impoverlshing the masses of latoring;
men A protective system-such as We
now have-means precisely what it says.
1t protects the rich in their grasping Efforts
and makes them still poorer. The protec
tion is not to the labor of the country, but
does protect those who seek the law, and
who pay millions of dollars annually, to
secure the enactment Of higher and high
er tariff legislation. s.-. -.-.


Labor needs no protection : it is indie
pendent, and will take care of itself, if left
free, and unclaimed by selfish class legisla>
tion. Labor demands that all tariff be re-
pealed, that protection to capital should
get out of its way, because it is unjust, and
criminal, to continue in force such rules of
government as to compel the industrious,
laboring men of the nation to support and
make rich, set Lf idle nabobs, who
should be considered and treated as thieves
and plunderers in all civilized countries.
No one class of people should be pro
tected by law. There is uniform and i'm
partial law of nature, of supply and de>
mand, which will regulate every depart
ment of industry, will adjust and evenly
balance the interests OF capital and labor,
if left alone, and undisturbed by the ap-
plication of unequal and class legislation
on the part of the government. The Just
| laws OF trade are not to be found in statute
books. Statute laws upon this question
only disturb and distract that rule, which
| is above human law. Give the laborer, the
poor industrious man, what God designed
freedom of thought, plans, and action,
We will very soon realize and enjoy more
equilibrium of capital, wealth, and happi


ness in this country.


Therefore. we propose from this time
forward to work and fight for the interests,
the welfare, and the happiness Of the poor
| white iaDoflug men, aDa their wives anu
children. And We ask OF that class of men


irrespective Of any politics or political or


ganization, to go with US, and help row
the boat of reform and equal rights The
course is up stream, and against the cur


rent, and it will take all the power anc
force of strong arms. and determined wills


to reach the head waters where justics
reigns, and where labor receives a JUS


recompense Of reward. Marquette E1
| u feS2. A-L - .- -. t..