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LABOR.
One of tlio chief uims of government
should be the protection of labor. The
conflict between capital mid labor that
litis been in progress almost from the be
ginning of time has demonstrated beyond
question the inability of labor to protect
itself. Capitalists have denied this, and
have successfully appealed for legislation
to aid them in crushing a fallen foe. La
bor itselt will never acknowledge this,
tnough trampled under foot, though all
nobility is ground out of it.
For proof that labor unaided is an un
equal rival of capital, wo have only to
look at the condition of each. Which
dictates the law the other is bound to ac
oepl? Labor has ever been at a disadvan
tune, and time ollVrsuo remedy.
It is natural that labor should be tin
underling. Man is at enmity with work.
His lirsl endeavors are to hoc himself from
itu curse. All strive for this end. The
ablest succeed become capitalists, and
the struggle becomes oueof braiuagainst
muscle, which always has, and always
will result disastrously to the latter.
Capitalists are few, intelligent, easily
combined. Laborers are many, ignorant,
dillicult to combine. S.uno writers as
sume an advantage for labor, but Carey,
and Adam Smith, lakes the more practical
view of natural advantages upon the side
of capital Without doubt, in the number
of laborers, if properly organized and
controlled, resid"s a power capable of
self protection. But physical labor mid
mental strength seem to bo incompatible,
and elllcieut organization is impossible
where intelligence is wanting.
In a republican form of government,
w;ioro every man has a voicu in its alfairs,
tlio necessity for protecting labor is indeed
pressing. The laboring classes must ever
comprise the bulk of population. To
this population is coulided the preserva
tion of our Institutions.
The present condition of things, unfa
vorable to labor, tends to perpetuate it-
self. By its workings tlio laborer is com
polled to exert all his energies to provide
for the physical wants of himself and
family. Under this condition, mental
training will be neglected, hence his
childhood will not be provided with the
only means that could lift them above
his position.
It is denied that labor and capital arc
in the least antagonistic. However these
interests may have been in their natural
btates, it is evident the harmony no longer
exists. Capital oppresses labor. Oppres
scs it by the aid of government. Oppres
ses it through well organized combina
tions. Protective laws arc ever for the
protection of capital. Monopolies are
granted to many forms of capital. Labor
has never been favored witli a law protect
ing its interests. Monopolies in the dif
ferent branches of industry are not al
lowed. The right of a blacksmith to a
law protecting him against the immigra
tion of foreign blacksmiths is as sound
and just as a law protecting (lie manufac
turer against foreign competition. In eith
er cao it is favoring the individual at a
cost to society.
Government cannot release mankind
from labor, b t it may do much to amelio
rate the condition of the laborer. It may
raise the standard of intelligence, and in
telligence determines the condition of ev
ery class. In this direction our own gov
ernment lias done much, and were it not
for our ioreign and slave elements, the
laborer would occupy a much more favor
able place. Too much stress cannot lie
laid upon litis fact of intelligence. An
intelligent yeomanry onoo secured, the
greatest problem of government is solved.
No longer would they need protection.
It is sad to see tlio class that give tlio
most to tlio world, to society, receiving
the least in return. Adam Smith says the
produce of labor constitutes tlio natural
recompense or wages of labor. How fur
then have the returns of labor drifted
from natural rights. In the division of
profits, according to Penny, the cost of a