Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-06-01


Statesj and it will show an aggregate, compared
with which the export of cotton ia inconsiderabe.
These iucts furnish matter Tor the sohef fellec-
ton of all persons who have any respect for the
great labourng public. They develope, at a
glance, the manner in which we live, by dsclo-
sing the dependence Of one class upon another
the support they render each other, and the man
ner IN which the efforts Of all contribute 10 the
common comfort, prosperity and happiness. So
close ana necessary is the union of agriculture g.
the arts, and such the dependence OF each upon
inc olher, that a separation would be scarcely
less injurious than to cut off the communication
OF earth with light, heat and moisture. Here,
again, comes into view the close connection of
our industry with our popular institutions Res
ting, us they do on public intelligence the acqui-
stions of honest labour should he made as easy
as possible, tina, the fountains of knowledge may
be copousy supplied, and send forth their
streams TO refresh invigorhie and warm into life,
moral power that shall be irresistible.
The people, unless they become careess Of
their most precious interests, will never vounia-
rlly fetrtnch that power. But ii wages nre
brought to the European standard, they must
then consider whether they will he adequate to |
promote intellectual culture. The manufacture of
cotton, 10y the improved methods has been estab-
shed in most parts of Europe, and in Bengal,
near Calcutta. The average wages for weeks
service, IN India, is fortytwo cents-in SnxOny,
eighty-fOur cOnts---lI Austria ninety cents-in
Switzerland, one hundred and sixty cents in
France, one hundred aud sixty-six cents, and in
England, two huadred and forty cents. These
Averages are taken upon those who support them
selves, and work ubont twelve hours in a day.
For 1892, in the mills of the United States the
average for men was fvedollars and eighty cents
= for females above twelvs years of age, two dol
lars and thirteen cents-+or females under twelve
one dollar and fifty four 'ceDts-and the average
OF all the three elnsses, three dollars and fifteen
cents per week.
| This discloses u singular disparity between wa
yes in England and upon theContinent, which is
chiefly owing 20 difference in tie expense of liv-
nag. But we cannot comprehend the economy
nv which Il liRdoo sustans hmscif twenty
Que dollars year. Enough, however, is reveal
ed 10 satisfy that there is little ia their condi-
ton to excite envy, and little that would recon-
Gle the people OF this country to such state of
existence. II we nre at a less to understand
how such earnings can iced, clothe and lodge hit.
man beings we need not inquire whether they
have any thing TO appropriate 10 norua culture.
In England, no doubt, provisions and bread-stufis
ale dearer, but the average wages are two dollars
and forty cents; and yet The pauper list amounts
| to one million two hundred and fifty thousand,
andfe annual poor rates tn over forty millions OF
dollars, upon population of thirteen millions
| eight hundred thousand, including England and
Wales.
These facts lend lis ifresistby to>the .conclu-
eiou, mat wages I'll duu ASIA, 40 not ana
cannot procure for the industrious moral laboiHer,
Il comfortable supports and that his condition, in
stead OF being such rs we should aspire 10, is to
be depiored aud commserated. An English wri.
ter upon the "Nioral and Physical Condition of
the Working Classes employed in the Cotton
Manufacture in Manchester after stating in de-
tall the diet aud general habits IF life adds. e" 1t
is not to be concealed, that there are numerous
classes, whose rate Of wages is such that with the
best management, will not procure the comforts
and conVenencies of living. Their diet
must, of necessity. be mean and deficient in quar-
THY :.tit consists says Mr. Henderson, lanother
writer) 'nf milk md potatoes, behring's, bacon and
oat bread: very liiewhea,en breadisused.' We
learn from the same writers, that this mere ami
maj existence makes such population as might
be anticipated. "Ihe RIGHTEOUSNESS which pre-.
walls among the dense population Of the manu-
featuring towns. is carried TO degree which is
appalling to contemplate, which BATTLES all satis-
teal inquiries, and which can he learned only
from The testimony ofoi,sewers." | will NOT re-
cite the disgusting details, for they only furnish
additional proofs, that where moral culture is neg
lected, the appetites and tastes become gross SELL
sual and depraved.
Notwithstanding this, we see much TO admire,
instruct and delight, in Europe. Yet, there is so
much to allure it's lnbouring population hither, and
to engage their affections, Tint they come in
crowds, and seldom return. They consider it as
escaping from an memorable destiny which binds
them down to poverty, 10 u land Of promise To
pnsiiapate in the vigorous prosperity OF more
dlffusive civilization.
These things we feel see and know. We can
not shut our eyes to the fact which is everywhere
written in letters ol light that we have succeeded
best in advancing human happiness, by promoting
most efectually individual prosperity. What
motive can we have TO enter into a struggle, such
as we see going OH in Europe, to determine who
t,an tn:
the senderest support? II is not pussible that
the labourng people OF this country, who hold IN
their own hands the public policy, cnn feel any
passion to make themselves poor or ignorant or
that they can be so infatuated as 10 fall prey 10
European tactics. Before such anloccurrence can
happen, we must be surfei,ed with prosperity,
sink nie criminal indifference and fail utterly to
appreciate the elements OF p0uiar thrift and great
ness which SURROUND us. The political institutions
and laws of Europe have never made any better
condition for the abourer than he aow enjoys
His personal interests secondary in consider
alton and his rights and privileges SO modified
and limited as to sustain the arrlstoeracy; while
with u.s. every thing is subordinate to the popular
interest, and ought TO move in harmony with il.
Our beginnings but Of yesterday, and in
stead Of lingering along The path Of improvement
advancing by slow degrees, we have, by bound
RI ia Bnny things united all the perfection whicl
marks the tedious experience ages elsewhere.
Go on then, my countryside united la you
, councils maintain public liberly--fhlfl tie des
tiay of The free and the day is at hand when tho
e spot where we stand will be the great centre O
e commercial attraction.
Our eoulry is broad enough, end lis resources
ample to sustain its population for ages to come
. in a constantly Improving eondiron. Our busi
: ness is to buiIdup The people, to-srengthen ant
y perpeuate their power aud we have dperget
i from European policy, because we are conscious
that its tendency towards such an end ia feeble
and its results unsatisfactory. We are her teach
ers; and her people, as they gradually gail
strength, will profit by oar example. Our policy
our interest, nay, our safety require tina, oar in
/ tercourse with her should be regulated, that he