ToPIc I | a market economy 197Document 8.5 MikE WAlSh, “Meeting: Democratic Mechanics
and Working Men of new york”
1842Mike Walsh was a prominent New York Democrat and labor leader in the 1840s and
1850s. Starting out as a labor activist, Walsh formed the Spartan Association in New York
City to rival the political machine in Tammany Hall. He eventually became a successful
politician in New York and served as a legislator in the state assembly in Albany and as
a representative for New York State in the US Congress. In this excerpt from a speech
to New York working men, the bracketed audience responses appeared in the original
newspaper accounts.When I look back upon the past history of the world and see how many of
the working classes have shed oceans of each other’s blood for the elevation
and aggrandizement of tyrants, the reflection causes deep feelings of pity and
sorrow—to think that these noble classes have suffered themselves to be used
solely for the advancement of their oppressors, without ever attempting to throw
off their shackles and redeem themselves. [Loud cheers.]...
There are two great principles in the moral, social, material and political
world; yes, in every thing. Life and death, heat and cold, light and darkness, sick-
ness and health, freedom and despotism! [Tremendous cheering, which contin-
ued some minutes.] Which of these do you choose—slavery or liberty? [Loud
cries of “Liberty! liberty!”] Then why not make some exertions to carry out your
choice. Don’t stand with folded arms, and silently look on, while a reckless gang
of conspiring traitors [turning round and pointing to the men on the stand] are
using you and your best exertions for their own selfish purposes. [Loud cheers.]
Don’t stand by and see them do this and grumble for a year afterwards. [Cheers
and laughter.] I’ve seen men on this stand talk about advancing the interests of
the working classes, and decrying monopolies in the most unqualified terms,
who, when they got to Albany, voted for the incorporation of old Allaire’s works,
making his shinplasters legal tender among his workmen. [Cheers.] I say these
things shall not be tolerated any longer! [Cries of “No; no!—three cheers for
Mike Walsh”—and nine loud cheers were given, which shook the walls of the
building.] You will find such men receive nominations at Tammany Hall, while
men who have sacrificed every thing to elevate the working portion of the com-
munity are rejected. This is not our fault; and yet again it is, because we don’t
attend primary meetings; or, when we do attend primary meetings, we select
men merely on account of their miscalled respectability, who have succeeded in
raising a few thousand dollars by robbing the community; who afterwards prove
recreant to their trust. [Cheers.]...Spartan Association, Michael Walsh: Sketches of Speeches and Writing Including His Poems
and Correspondence (New York: Thomas McSpedon, 1843), 13–14.09_STA_2012_ch8_191-212.indd 197 19/03/15 5:51 PM