344 LAND AND LABOR. 



to the extent, at least, of making them planks in 

 their platforms. In this way the desired reformatory 

 measures would meet with no organized political op- 

 position, and leave the plutocrats and monopolists 

 without party support, but still not without the great 

 power of concentrated capital and unity of purpose 

 and action that will be found most formidable ; not 

 the less so because of the influences which they can 

 and will use in secret, and it may be, also, in open 

 corruption. 



The times are now ripe for the action proposed. 

 The questions here discussed are challenging atten- 

 tion in many forms. Already are they being ap- 

 proached by able inquirers among the classes where 

 the best results may be achieved. It only remains 

 for the workingmen of the country to take hold of 

 them unitedly, seeking nothing that is not for the 

 common good, but insisting upon whatever is neces- 

 sary " for the general welfare " of the country. Set- 

 ting aside all trivial matters, but firmly advocating 

 all those great measures so necessary to the cause of 

 human advancement. 



Here, in the United States, we have all the condi- 

 tions for eminent prosperity. We have a vast terri- 

 tory, extending from ocean to ocean, and from the 

 tropics to the frigid zone, with soils and climates that 

 arc adapted to the bounteous production of all the 

 necessaries of life, and much the larger part of the 

 luxuries. Our seasons follow in such uniform succes- 

 sion that seed time and harvest rarely or never fail. 

 Wo are never afflicted with wide famines, nor de- 

 stroyed by general floods. Our mountains and plains 



