Year: 1867

THE LABOR CONGRESS.


This body, which has been in session in
Chicago for some days, has transacted
some business and adjourned. We con-
fess to some disappointment at the results
Of this convention. II did not come up
to our expectations. We have had, and
we may say we still have, faith in this
movement, the object Of which is to put
labor and laboring men into that true re-
lation with the industrial interests Of the
country that is evidently demanded by
the enlightened wisdom Of the hour. The
laborer, whether in the shop or in the
field, is henceforth man whose rights and
interests are to be respected. He is q
sovereign and king among men, and his
rights and his privileges as such cannot
be ignored. But there was never a time
when wise councils we're more needed, and
real skill in systematizing the great move
ment than now.


The convention appears to have made Il
beginning in the right direction. They
recommended the principle Of co-opera-
ton. This is their strong point, for in this
way they can control the great industrial
interests Of the country, and bring even
capital and capitalists to obedience to their
behests. No one can object to combina-
tions of this sort They are legitimate,
and by their adoption in all the branches
Of industry, the greatest good Of the great
est number will be secured. 1t seems to
us, however, that the Congress should have
done something more than the simple
putting forth resolution Of recommenda-
tion in behalf of so important measure.
The convention also appointed commits
sion to visit Europe, to investigate and
gather facts appertaining to the labor sys-
tenn Of the Old World. We think well of
this undertaking


A commission Of careful, painstaking,
thoughtful, rejecting men, making the
tour Of Europe, will return laden with i'm
portant information which will contribute |
largely to the advancement Of the cause
at home. Cooperation, we believe has
been carried to more practical results
abroad than here. 1t is well that all the
important facts connected with the CO.
operative industrial movement in Europe
should be spread before our working peo-
pie in this country, and an intelligent
commission, after making careful per-
sonal examination of what they may see
abroad, will! be able to throw much light
upon q question which now demands our
most careful scrutiny. There was one
thingh which was attempted by this Con-
gress which strikes us as unwise, i'll ad-
vised and inopportune to the last degree:
we allude to the step which was taken to
form workingmen's political party.
That the workingmen should strive to
secure the very best possible legislation
in oil the States in behalf Of their cause is
right, but they should know that the best
way to secure this needed legislation is to
keep their movements aloof from party
politics. If they venture upon the under
taking Of organizing workingmen's
political party, they and their cause will
be sure to become the prey or the football
Of unprincipled partisans and demagogues
who will use them for their own sinister
ends; and besides, the organization of a
political party at this time would be the
most inopportune movement that could
well be conceived.


Successful political parties come into
existence when the demand of the times
calls them forth If movements OF this
nature are attempted when other and more
pressing questions Of the hour are on the
taptS, the new movement is overslaughed
and destroyed A workingmen's political
party, at this time, must inevitably fail,
and fail to the utter destruction of the
cause. The great and overshadowing ques.
tion at this time in the nation is recon-
struction; and it can no more be set aside
till settled than the waters of Niagara can
be stopped with a straw. We do not alude
to this subject in partisan sense but we
know, nevertheless, the subject cannot be
ignored. Ten States are out of the Union.
They are to bo organized and brought into
line, and to assume their true position in
the Union. The public mind is now in.
tensely exercised upon this question, and
the admission Of these States must remain
the paramount question in our politics till
settled. All other matters are irrelevant
and trivial, simply side issues, "mere
leather and prunella," till this is settled.
We beg of the workngmen therefore, not


o launch their holy and righteous cause


pom any such uncertain sea- for should


hey do itpolitical leeches and demagogues
will fasten upon them, and certain ruin to
their cause must ensue.


IT is said that Saratoga has not been SO
full Of visitors at SO late period of the season
for some eight years, as 1t is now. The proprie.
tor Of one Of the hotels has adopted the plan o
pitching tents in the grove which surrounds hi
house for the accommodation Of some Of hi