Call for Subscribers

Let it be remembered.–That this paper is upon a firm and permanent basis a large number of responsible individuals, being personally obligated for its regular issue. Therefore, we trust our friends will not deny sending in their names for one years subscription, together with the $1,00 for the same!

1845.11.14

To the Patrons…

To the Patrons of the Workingmen’s Advocate and Factory Girl’s Friend. –

During the sitting of the Convention at Lowell, the pecuniary matters of the “Voice of Industry,” came up for consideration, and it was thought that one paper, established on a permanent basis, ably conducted, would for the present meet the wants of the community. A proposition was offered, which so fully met our approbation and enlisted our sympathies and affections that we immediately joined heart and hand to aid and support the paper, already combating the elements of oppression, in this our so called republican land; and as an offering merged our little sheet into the same, knowing that our subscribers would be very grateful to us for the act; as well we shall now send them the “Voice of Industry” for 12 weeks, and consider them permanent subscribers to that paper, unless they shall otherwise direct.

We are quite positive that any one who shall read that paper for three months, will never feel themselves able to be without it, until the laborer shall enjoy the rights which were designed for him, by the God of nature. The community now have what we have long desired to see—a paper free as air, devoted exclusively to the rights of man, recognizing the equal rights of all. Candid uncompromising with wrong, it will speak the truth without fear or favor. No paltry consideration of dollars and cents, or low bows of distinguished aristocracy can frighten or bribe it from a steadfast adherence to right.

It will be seen in another place that an arrangement has been entered into for the purpose of placing the paper on an abiding foundation which will raise it above the necessary of begging and whining for patronage, but in defiance of pecuniary considerations, can make a straight forward course. All who have factored us by subscribing to our paper, or otherwise, will please accept our warmest thanks on behalf of the oppressed millions, who are groaning under pampered and bloated aristocracy in our land.

—W.D. Leavitt

1845.11.14

The Voice Sails On

With the present No. closes the first, semi-volume of the Voice of Industry, and with no ordinary emotions of gratitude and satisfaction we arrive this period in the existence of our humble advocate of the people’s rights, and Industry’s just reward. In the history of modern publications, the instances are rare, considering the free and independent character of our sheet, of such universal favor and sympathy as our efforts have met with, among the friends of the laborer, and the abolition of all the degrading forms of servitude, which are producing false distinctions, crime and misery in society.

All classes have looked upon us with solitude and anxiety – the enemies of christian and philosophical progression, have watched the career of our investigating Voice with the deepest suspicion, and have not failed to use their peculiar means to stifle its influence and destroy its usefulness, either by open denunciation, and sanctimonious cants. But notwithstanding the many obstacles in the path of the reformer; our cause has been onward and upward, and we are gradually gaining ground upon the errors of the community, and Man, his true interests, and the great object and end of his existence, are fast being revealed by the genial rays from the great fountain of light and life, which begin to beam in upon the darkness and superstition of the world, chasing away the traditional dogmas and relics of barbarism which have preyed upon the rights of mankind; and like angels of destruction, case a blight and gloom over the face of the Earth, and confusion, religious doubt and mysticism upon the minds of the race.

The friends to our cause have viewed our little newspaper among the raging waves of oppression, discord and strife, with fear and trembling; lest she should meet the same unhappy fate of many who have set sail before us, and found themselves wrecked by opposing winds and waves, upon the shore of disappointment. But thanks to Heaven, our industrious bark is still riding upon the tide, safe and sound, with her sails well spread and the noble banner of Reform floating in the breezes. The strong hearted workingmen and women of Massachusetts have strengthened her timbers and added weight to her anchor, and we firmly believe with the faithful assistants at the helm, we shall be able to survive the roughest seas of commercial anarchy and harbor safely in the port of Industrial union.

It may safely be said by the way of encouragement, that the Voice of Industry is permanently established, and we earnestly call upon all friendly to the great Labor Reform which is agitating almost the entire civilized world, to use their influence in circulating this paper among the working people of New England, thereby sending a word of hope and encouragement to many who are living in slavish despondency.

Our friends in various sections of the country, will accept our warmest thanks for their efforts on our behalf, and we trust they will not leave the field until we can talk of our ten and fifteen thousand subscribers, from the honest operatives and workingmen of the land.

Brethren we enter upon the next six months with high anticipations, and are another period of like duration shall roll round, we feel fully assured that you will make great progress in the philanthropic cause in which we are engaged, and that the great plan of “union” now before the American working people will be adopted as the basis of an industrial reform that will restore to Man, “self-government, to Labor its true dignity and just rewards, and to humanity the Heavenly impress, of which sin and oppression has robbed it.

1845.12.11

The Association Buys The Voice

The spirited ladies of the Female Labor Reform Association, of this city, have purchased the Press and Type belonging to the “Voice of Industry" office, and have made the first payment. Their labors for the cause of the oppressed, demand the sympathy and encouragement of all true friends in the elevation of mankind; and any person able to render pecuniary assistance to the cause of substantial reform, cannot find a more worthy object.

1846.03.06 

A Few Advertisements

To Business People

A few advertisements will be inserted in this paper at reasonable prices, and, as it has the largest permanent circulation of any journal in the city, those having anything valuable to offer to the public, will do well to make it a medium. As our readers are generally of the sensible class, humbuggery will not find it a very profitable source to gain publicity.

1846.05.08

On the Road for The Voice

Methuen, June 28, 1847

BR. Young:—

It is with feelings of real pleasure that I now address you. Since I left Lowell, Wednesday eve, I have been more successful in circulating our faithful Voice than I anticipated. That fact has given me new courage to act in the cause of human elevation, since it teaches me that the “masses" are beginning to co-operate with those, who have been bearing the burthen and heat of the day of combined wealth, against the poor laborer, in our country—I have not conversed with an individual on this subject who does not see and acknowledge the importance and righteousness of the principles which the Voice lays before the public from week to week. Very few refuses to subscribe except those who are already taking four or five weekly papers.—I called on Agent Davis of this Village, and gave him a polite invitation to assist us in publishing a paper which should be filled with the most useful and instructive matter, as the working men and women had so little leisure to devote to reading, we think it all important that their paper should be liberally sustained, in order to enable the publisher to make it such as should meet the hearts of the laboring classes, gcc. Said he I take about twenty now, and that is more than I can get time to read. But sir said I, will you not give us some little encouragement in this righteous cause which has for its object the elevation and improvement of our race? “11" said he “it is a good cause I wish you God speed!" I thanked him for his good wishes and told him I should be labor with more courage if I knew that the good and great of earth wished well to our cause. He very politely gave me leave to pass into the cloth room with my paper, but no farther. I find the same over- bearing tyrannical spirit bears sway here in this beautiful little village, which holds so many in "durance vile" in our own, otherwise, pleasant City.

Here as well as in Lowell, a man who works for the Companies, is little better than the machinery which he conducts—he must go to the church (which by the way is the Calvinist church), and vote the “ticket" or take up his quarters somewhere else. I rejoice to learn however, that there are spirits here, true to themselves, and to the world, who will not, and do not submit to such anti republican rules and requirements. God grant the number of such may increase daily in New England!

What shall it be said of men born and educated here in this our free and democratic nation, that they will submit to be deprived of the last vestige of liberty bequeathed them by our brave ancestors! Forbid it heaven!! Working men of N. England, will you sit calmly down and suffer these things so to be? Will you not rather raise your voices in one long, loud cry to heaven— “Liberty of Death!" Will you yield inch after inch to the aggressor until driven off the footstool of God?

Or, will you be Men the true Nobility of the earth, and as such, claim your right to the soil—to the air of heaven—to the running stream, and the bright sunshine of God and to the fruits of your own industry. Let immediate action answer these all-important questions! Let your “voice" workingmen be heard speaking in the clear, steady, persuasive tones of justice and mercy, from the rivers to the end of the earth. Would you see principles diffused thro' community, on which, rests the beautiful temple of freedom, support your “Voice" liberally, that it may discouse in rich and varied notes of melody to every ear. Would you have that “union for power" among the working classes, which shall “bless humanity" give your influence on the side of that “Voice" which is and ever has been the true friend of the laborer— let it be heard in every man's dwelling and its truths sink deep in every heart! What might not that “Voice" become, did every man and woman too, for whose interests it is pleading, give it their countenance and support? Why, we should then have the largest and best paper in the world! We have only to speak the word and 'tis done. Who among us cannot give 1.25 per year for this noble enterprise? Is there one? We hope not. Nobility of the earth wake up to your own interests, and be no longer degraded in your own and the eyes of the world! This is not idle speculation—or visionary imaginings of a disordered brain, but sober truth—truth too which is being brought home to every rational mind from day to day— there is no avoiding it—it is truth which he that runs even now, may read and understand! But I must close this scrawl for this time.

In haste, I am &tc.,

—H.J.S.

1847.07.02

Selling The Voice to Mill Hands

Dear Voice: I arrived in this place last Monday morn. Every one knows this is a manufacturing place and very much like all others where wealth is concentrated in Cotton Mills. There are five large Mills in this place and I understand there are nearly 2000 operatives, and learn from the Agent they have great privileges and would not consent to work ten hours per day. By the way, it must be said, Mr. B. the Agent gave us something towards helping along “the good cause," I told him I was going in to look about, and as 'tis said “silence gives consent," very soon I was offering our paper to the inmates of the mills, they manifested an interest in the cause and no one made me afraid by looks or words, but when I came to enter a lower weave room there was a lord who molested me, but could not make me afraid, though his appearance was very much like the feline species. He ordered me out of his room, but “Bill" could not extend his authority any further and I went on with my business and was well treated throughout the premises. My stay in this place has been very pleasant and profitable, could I remain I have no doubt my list would soon number one hundred.

There is but one small paper published in this place, but this I understand is well supported. An attempt was made to start a workingman's paper in this place a short time since, but not quite sufficient encouragement was given to warrant its projectors a good living. Our Voice was particularly welcome at this time, and they say we shall have their support if it is true to the cause of the Workingmen.

In closing this communication I cannot but mention the Great Falls Hotel, kept by A. Staples. This is strictly a Temperance House elegantly furnished throughout—there are one hundred rooms, any one stopping at this house cannot but be made happy during their sojourn. No more for this time, and this in haste.

—M.E.

Great Falls, July 24

1847.07.24