We are with you in this work. Workingmen must form a party of their own, take charge of the government, dispose gilded fraud, and put honest toil in power.

In this quote, Denis Kearney, a labor leader and activist, is expressing support for the creation of a political movement specifically for workingmen. Kearney argues that laborers and the working class must form a party of their own in order to gain control of the government. He suggests that by doing so, they can replace the “gilded fraud”—referring to the wealthy elite and corrupt politicians—with those who represent honest toil, or the working class. Kearney is advocating for a political revolution that empowers working people to shape the policies that affect their lives.

Kearney’s words reflect the growing labor movement in the late 19th century, a time when industrialization had created significant inequality between the wealthy and the working class in the United States. He believed that the existing political system was deeply influenced by the interests of the elite, who were more concerned with their wealth than with the needs of the working class. By encouraging workers to take political control, Kearney sought to challenge this inequality and promote policies that would benefit laborers rather than the wealthy few.

The phrase “gilded fraud” is a reference to the term “Gilded Age”, a period in U.S. history characterized by rapid industrialization, but also extreme wealth disparity and political corruption. Kearney’s call to dispose of this fraud suggests his desire to dismantle the corrupt systems that perpetuated inequality. He viewed the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few as a fundamental threat to the democratic ideals of the country.

Ultimately, Kearney’s quote reflects his vision of a democratic system where the working class is not only heard but takes the reins of power. His statement advocates for a political party that is entirely focused on the needs of workers, where honesty, justice, and the welfare of labor would be prioritized.