The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-04-16

| 70 New Orleans, and manifested in the
condition and circumstances Of the
great body of the People; for nine
te1nths OF the whole People belong to
the laborious. industrious, and produc-
i've elases, and on these classes the
stimulus acts. We perceive that the
Eprlce OF laborsis high, and we know
that the mems ofliving are low, and
these two truths speak volumes in ia
v '=' Of the general prosperity Of the
country. | am aware, as has been
sad already, that this high price Of
labor results partly from the fayora-
Dig. condition Of the country. Labor
was high comparatively speaking, be-
lore the act of 1924 passed, but that
Tact affords no reason, in my iuag-
ment, forendangering its security and
sacrificing its hopes BY overthrowiine
What has since been established for
its protection.
"Let US look, gentlemen, to the
condition of other countries. and in
Equlre little into the cause which. in.
some OF them, produce poverty and
distress, the lamentations of which
reach our own shores. | see around
me many whom know to be en-
igfants from other countries. Why
are they here? Why is the native Of
Ireland among US? why has he aban-
doned scenes us dear to him as these
hills and these rivers are to YOU? Is
there any other causes than this, that
the burden Of taxation OH the one
hand, and the low reward Of labor on
the other. left him without the means
of a comfortable subsistence or the
power Of providing for those who
were dependent upon him? was it not
on this account tina: he left his own
land, and sought an asylum in coun-
try OF free laws, Of comparative ex-
empuon from taxation, of boundIess
extent, and in which the means of liv-
ing are cheap, and the prices of labor
just and adequate? And do these re-
marks apply, with more or less ac-
curacy, to every other part of Eu-
rope? Is it not true that sobriety and
industry and good character can do
more for man here than in any
other part of the world? And is not
this truth, which is so obvious that
none can deny it, founded in this plain
reason, that labor in this country
earns better reward than any where
else, and so gives more comfort, more
individual independence, and more ell
ovation Of character2 Whatever else
may benefit particular portions Of So
ciety-whatever else may assist cap
ital-whatever else may favor sharp
sighted commercial enterprise, pro-
tesslonal skill. or. extraordinary indi-
vidual sagacity OF good fortune; be
assured, gentlemen, that nothing can
advance the mass of society in pros
perlty and happiness, nothing can up
khold the substantial interest, and stead
lily improve the general condition and
character of the whole, but this one
thing, coaapensating re,cards to labor.
The fortunate situation of our coun-
try tends strongly of itself to pro- luce
this result; the Government has a.
dopted the policy of cooperating with
this natural tendency Of things--it has
encouraged and tostered labor and
industry by system of discrimi-
mating duties; and the result of these
combined causes may be seen in the
present circumstances of the coun-
/ try.
:: Gentlemen, there are important
considerations of another kind, con
nected with this subject. Our Gov
eminent is popular; popular in its
foundation, and popular in it's exer.
else. The actual character of the
Government can never be better than
! the general moral and intellectual
character of the community. II
waall be the widest of human imagi-
nations to expect a poor, vicious, and
! 5-at'fstnt people to maintain a good
popular government. Education and
knowledge, which, as is obvious, car
be generally attained by the People
only where there are adequate re.
wards to labor and industry, and some
share in the public interest, some
stake IN community, would seem in
Edispensabiy necessary in those who
have the power Of appointing all pub
lie agents, passing all laws, and ever
Of making and unmaking constitu
tons at their pleasure. Hence the
truth of the trite maxim, that knoWl
/ edge and virtue are the only founda
tion#of republics; but it is to be added
and TO be always remembered, tha
there never was, and never can be
an intelligent and vIrtuous people
who, at the same time, are a poo
and idle people, badly employed anc
badly paid. Who would be safe in any
. community where political power i:
: in the hands of the many, and prop
.bertv in the hands of the few? Indeed
i such an unnatural state of thing
could no where long exist.
;, ron