AustLit

To Every Body.

'We believe then that the time is at hand when the social condition of the great mass of mankind must undergo a complete amelioration. Old systems are breaking up; on every side of us we perceive the up-heavings of the "new birth" of a fresh and more healthy state of civilization; the rights of labour are beginning to be recognised; the claims of industry are already acknowledged. The Democratic principle is making rapid strides; the strong holds of despotism have been assailed by its armed bands; and the eagles of Imperial Aristocrats have fled, dismayed by its triumphant shouts. It is true the struggles of the masses are not yet over, and years of suffering may intervene before their full and perfect liberty is attained; but no man can regard the events which are now transpiring in almost every country of Europe, without being fully satisfied that the days of oppression are numbered, that the progress of mankind cannot longer be retarded, or that the hitherto down-trodden classes of out fellow labourers can be longer withheld from that fair share of political power, to which their intelligence, their worth, their perseverance, and their continuous industry, entitle them.

All power springs from the people. This fact is a mere truism; it is an assertion which has been made a thousand and a thousand times by men of all parties, and of all shades of opinion; and yet self-evident as it is, and acknowledged as it has been, so much have kings, courtiers, oligarchs, and aristocracies, contrived to concentrate all power into their own hands, that whilst they have possessed the substance, the people have been amused only with the shadow. This has been the case in almost every country in the Old World, and the most barefaced tricks have been successfully resorted to, to establish a similar state of things here. The wealthy have secured all power; the rich are supposed to possess all the intelligence, whilst the poor and hardy sons of labour, the really honest intelligent mechanic, the patient, much enduring, and robust labourer, have been utterly disregarded. They have been looked upon by our colonial aristocrats, as mere "hewers of wood and drawers of water", incapable of appreciating or exercising the rights of freemen. Wealth has been made the qualifying test for every honour; whether charitable, civic, or legislatorial. This wretched state of things must not, however, be permitted longer to continue, and by God's help, and your patronage and support, we will do something to crush this many-headed monster, which has been spawned amongst us, and which such strenuous efforts have been made to foster and bring to maturity.

It is for this purpose that we have established The People's Advocate...'

- extract from Vol. 1, No. 1. (2 December, 1848), p.1.