Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-05-04

kpRevent exce11fve and diureroue elEdrtn
even in the most useful employments. and
a disposition is manifest on Ill hands to
keep business and industry within their
true channels. This will insure more
general and permanent prosperity than all
the banks and politicians of the country are
capable Of giving; and, if the policy be
pursued, will effectually protect capital
and labor against the evils Of TariA-tink-
ering, President-making, contractions, ex-
pansions and explosions. While, there
fore, every patriot must rejoice in the re-
sumption of legitimate trade, he cannot
feel too solicitous for its maintenance Upon
firm and natural principles. The return
of the better times to which we have ad.
verted, opens bright and inviting pros.
pect to all who have the disposition to
turn an opportunity to good account
Every man should be active, for while his
efforts, if properly directed, will insure a
desirable reward to himself, they will add
to the general stock of prosperity, and en-.
nance the spirit by which it is promoted.
Industry is the only safe and certain road
to wealth, and, while it is in demand, let
it neither be stinted nor perverted.
NIr. Van Buren,, fhe Laborer,s
Friend.
Mr.. Van Buren, was once a poor boy,
and like many of our farmers sons, con.
sidered it no disgrace but an honor to la
Dor and carry the products Of his labor to
market for sale. The wing press has
sneeringly alluded to his selling cabbages
Ibis humble origin, his fathers being a
Dutchman, Sc. Mr.. Van Buren,, though
poor boy, rose by his own exertions, 10
tie highest pinnacle Of fame, and did his
elevation, as is too often the case, cause
him to frget his less fortunate country
men? When President, he directed the
TEN HOUR SYSTEM should be adopt
ed in all the public establishments. For
merly, the mechanic and laborer was re-
quired to labor from sun to sun. In a
letter to a committee of mechanics Of
Philadelphia, several years ago, Mr.. Van
Buren, said:
sin the distribution of wealth resulting
from the union of labor and capital. 1t is
TOO often the case tina: an undue portion
falls to the share of the latter. The dis
continuance of partial legislation, which |
have always advocated, would be an i'm
portant step towards correcting this in
Yuiry.
sit has been my design 10 keep these OBJ
jects constantly in view. So far from re-
ing in favor OF reducing the wages of la
Dor, or attempting to render the services
required disproportiona.e to the rewards
received, it cannot be unknown to you
that what is called the ten hour system,
originally devised by mechanics and la
borcrs themselves, has by my direction
been adopted, and uniformity carried out
at all the public establishments, and this
mitigation of labor has been accompanied
by no corresponding reduction of wages.
81 also caused it to be distinctly inti-
mated IN the month of March last, to the
officers of such of these establishments as
might contemplate reduction Of wages,
that in my opinion the present uncertain
state of things which it is believed result
ed from circumstances that cannot be per-
manent in their operation, does not pre-
sent just and proper basis for reduce
ton OF wages.
81 am far from wishing to contribute in
the slightest degree to the embarrassment
and depression Of the laboring classes
1t is on the contrary, my most earnest and
constant desire that their industry should
ever and at all times be amply rewarded,
and that the blessing of plenty should be
literally diffused among those who con-
A.