The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-10-21
} lCWHAlr IS TO BE DONE

Recent publications. IN our JAuantlc cues, des I
,riptive Of the present condition of different kinds
If mechanical trades, show that want and misery |
ire not confined to Burope-that industrious and
sober laborers, though willing to toll for subsis
tence are often refused, and that the number
men and especially women is fearful
" on the increase The journals Of both political
parties contain facts and statistics of wretched |
ness and want to degree utterly unknown here
in the West. That this in part results from the
influx Of foreign population is true, nevertheless
this cause is altogether inadequate to produce the
results described. The statements of ill-paid
girls working from twelve to Sixteen hours day
for two or three shilings, sinking with disease
the consequence of bad food and overworking are
become too general to be mere exaggerations of
the press. Mechanics too, who have families,
from low wages and unsteady employment, suffer
hardship and distress far exceeding the necessary
consequence of the fluctuations of trade This
is state of society which ought not to be
found under our government, and which though
at present csnfned to our large cities, must ex-
tend its influence throughout our Union. F
The tendency to degradation and crime man
ifest in our large cities, Notwithstanding the ex
cellence of our institutions, is become matter
which politicians must investigate. When we
acquired freedom from Englands sovereignty, it
was but first step to that freedom from her laws
and customs, mode of government, and aristo-
cratic tendencies, towards which we have since
been making rapid progress, but are yetfar from
having arrivedat. We have by no means accom-
plished that perfection incur institutions, which
requires no effort for improvement. 1t should be
the aim of this government to preserve, as far
as it is just and practicable, an equality Of proper
ty in society; and the endeavor by law, to create
and multiply associations, corporate or otherwise
to bring their wealth and energy in competition
with individual industry, is at war with this prin-
cpe, and productive of injury to the masses-
OF this there are many examples; we give one
The tariff protects the manufacture of boots and
shoes, and prevents their importation from abroad
this, it was asserted would benefit the American
shoemaker; but manufacturing capitalists, now
secure of large profits, and from all competition
abroad, except under "a tariff which is to Q
certain extent prohibitory, unite their capital
and by means of it underbuy and undersell the
country shoemakers throughout the Union, and
reduce their profits and wages. Yet no party
but the capitalist gains by the change; for if the
shoemaker er quits his work bench to cultivate the
SOIL the protective system again cuts off his prof
its-as we refuse to buy shoes of foreigners, they
cannot buy the produce of our farms, and the ca
pitalist purchases the surplus athis own terms. Z
Nor should the design of a free government b'
to accumulate the greatest amount of wealth
among individuals, but to achieve the creates
amount of happiness for all its citizens, giving n
assistance to any, not participated in by all. HUI
man capacity for requirement is sufficiently unc
|qual without the weight of government beinl
thrown into the scaleto make it grossly so. Whel
: this is done, government whether of the few o
, many, becomes oppressive and requires change
, Great wealth in thehands Of the few is not ne
cessary to promote the progress of science, or de
: velope mind The great discoveries of civilizc
i ton came not from men accustomed to ease an
r afiluence; nor has even adversely proved unfavo
= able to genius; and plain and simple govsri
q ment leaving talent and energy to work out NJ
:, tional prosperity, will best succeed among FRI
people. .h-t
IS Some, not finding changes as rapid as the
y wish, pointing the people for reliefto assoc
tons to make labor g attractive" and other viso
! ary schemes of new social systems; and tt
: " Worlds Convention" with Robert Owen
. their head, met few days ago in New York
g ldevise!a new law of charity TO man. Each OF
i present had his infallible ''plan" to remodel 81
e cety, with very decided contempt for all 9TH
:, lplans than his own. But the endeavor to pc
: suade the people that all political effort mac
: to retard the tendency of wealth to inequality
L frutless, and that we must seek theremedy in n
e dical social changes, is wrong. We have not 9:
d hausted our political remedies or proved their i
adequacy to procure for us all the blessings whie
=, are incident to human government. Let us {
away with all monopolies ,cveated by legislatio
le and we need not seek in visionary schemesthe g
le ovation and happiness of mankind. The dem
k cratic doctrine of the utter exclusion of cover
: mental interference with industry, as princip'
oc leaving all men upon the broad platform of poll
]. cal quality-resricting the duty of governme
u to the preserving to the different members of
'e ciety what they have, but not helping any ella
ut to acquire, is the only safe rule. Add to th
a. universal education still further to reduce the
4 equalities among men--inequalities partly inht
ent in the constitution of human nature, but mo
q the consequence of the slaysh condition in viii
n the mass Of the human family have labored fro
er time immemorial g.Y III hnuaq c@5% iu,
to Who that casts his miRd's eye over this bro
nc and prosperous Union, but must realize how mu
, the democratic principle has in half century a
= compished for mans happiness and elevation, /
ycnd his condition in the oldworld. Such a prt
I'd pect affords no theme forsdespondency--such