CONSTITUTION OF THE "WORKINGMEN'S UNION" OF STARK COUNTY, OHIO. DIE CONSTITUTION DES "ARBEITER BUNDES" VON STARK COUNTY, OHIO.
Canton, OH: Gedruckt in der Office des "Deutschen in Ohio." Printed by John Raber, 1861. 30pp, printed in parallel columns of English and German. Original plain wrappers with map of Pennsylvania Central Railroad route and connecting towns printed on inner wraps [edges tattered with some loss, front wrap detached]. Chip at blank inner margin of title leaf. Good+. Signed in type by Peter Kaufmann, Chairman; Jac. S. Brownewell, Vice-President; Wm. Prince, Substitute; John Raber, Recording Secretary; John M. Schneider, Corresponding Secretary; and Conrad Schweitzer, Treasurer.
An early German-American organization, whose Constitution emphasizes the necessity of "Union and concert of action" to enhance "the general welfare." It derives its legitimacy from the Declaration of Independence, and announces the "Absolute equality of innate human rights." The founders determine to organize "themselves into a band of brothers, pledged unto one another to be faithful unto death, declaring, 'in Union there is strength'..." Despite the suggestions of an early industrial trade union in what would become the Nation's industrial heartland, the Union purports to elevate the whole person-- encouraging the pursuit of knowledge, reining in government encroachments and spending, and insisting that government is the servant of the people. Peter Kaufmann, who appears to have been the prime mover of the organization, was a Canton author, almanac-maker, bookseller, publisher, and clearly of an entrepreneurial bent.
OCLC 17342629 [6]. Not in Thomson, Eberstadt, Decker, Sabin. Item #27010
Price: $450.00