Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-15
From DIR. Chauning's letter to Mr.. Clay.
TIE DIGNITY OF TIE LABORER.

Whoever studies modern history with any
care, must discern in ii a steady growing
movement towards one most interesting re-
suit. | mean towards the elevation of the
laboring class of society. This is not re-
cent, accidental turn in human affairs. We
can trace its beginning in the fcuda times,
aud its slow advances in subsequent periods,
until it has become the master movement Of
our age. Is it not plain, that those who toll
with their hands, ana whose productive in
dus'ry is the spring Of all wealth, are rising
from the condition Of beasts of burden, to
which they were once reduced; to the con-
seriousness, Intelligence, self respect, and
proper happiness of men? Is It not the
strong tendency of our times 10 difuse among
the many, improvements once confined 10 the
few (? lie who overlooks this has no com
prehension Of the great work of Providence,
or of the most signal feature of his times -
and Is this an age for efforts to extend and
perpciuate an institution. the very object oi
which is To keep down the laborer, and to
make him machine for anOther's gratifica
ton?
know it has been said in reply to such
views, that, do what we will with the laborer
call him what we will. he is and must be in
reality, slave. The doctrine has been pub
llshcd at the South, that nature has made
two classes, the rich and the poor, the en-
ployer and the employed, the capitalist and
the operative, and that the class who work,
are to all intents, slaves 10 those in whose
service they are engaged.
In report on the mail, recently offered
TO the Senate of the United States an eifort
was made to establish resemblance between
Slavery and the condition of free laborers
for the purpose OF showing that the shades Of
difference between them are not very strong.
is it possible that such reasonings escaped
from man who has trod the soil of New
England, and was educated at one of her col
]cgcs? Whom did he meet at that college
The sons Of her laborers, young men, whose
hands had been hardened by the plough
Does he not know, that the families of labor.
crs have furnished every department in life
among us with llns:rlous men, have furnish.
ed our heroes in war, our statesmen in coun-
Gil, our orators in the pulpit and at the bar,
our merchants, whose enterprises embrace
the whole earth! What the laborer Of
free state slave, and to be ranked with the
dcsplscd negro, whom the lash drives to toll,
and whose dearest rights are at the mercy OF
irresponsible powers
II there be n firm, independent spirit on
"
the fields Of the free states, aud moistcns
them with the sweat of his brow. ! recently
heard of a visitcr from the South, compass
sionatlng the operatives of our manufacto-
ries, as IN worse condition than the slave.
What carries the young woman TO the manu-
factory? Not generally the want Of q com
fortnbo home, but sometimes the desire OF
supplying herself with a wardrobe, which
ought TO satisfy the aiilucnt, and ofener the
desire OF furnishing in more than decent style
the home where she is to sustain the nearest
relations, and perform the most sacred duties
OF life. Generally speaking, each of these
young women has her plan Of life, her hopes,
aud bright dreams, her spring Of action in
her own free willard amidst toll she con-
irves TO find seasons for intellectual and re-
igious culture.
Ii Is common in New England for the sons
ofiarmcrs to repair to the large towns, and
there Ia establish themselves as domestics in
families, n condition which the south will be
disposed To identify with slavery. But what
brngs these young men TO the city? The
hope of earning IN n shorter time sum with
which To purchase farm ut home, or in the
West, perhaps 10 become traders and in
these vacations they not unfrcquentIy rise
to consideration. and TO what in their place
ot residence is called wealth. have in my
ihough, nn individual distinguished alike by
vigor and elevation of mind, who began life
by hiring himself ne n laborcr to farmer.
and then entered family as a domestic and
now y the honorcd associate Of the most en-
lighicncd mrn, and Crv, ties himst Ii TO the
highest subj 'ts u human thought. IL j.
,rue iliat 80 much rcuains To be done for the
laboiIng rliss IN the most favorable regions Il
bu' the Intelligence already spread through
Tins class, " IN earnest Of q brighter dav, ofl
tie nm-t glorious revelation in history, Of The
ele,o'irn OF The mass uf men 10 the dignity
Of human beings.
u ~ the gre al MISSION of this Country To-
forward this rcvo'u'ioD. aud never was a
sublimcr work committed 10 n nation. OufI
mission is 10 elevate - oicty through AZ IT.
conditions. a. secure every human being tic
10, ans of progress. Ia snbsiiiui" tho govern
mcbt of laws for that Of irresponsible IndI