Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-08-27
From the Ohio Eagle. aa.
The Working men Of the East.

"Open thy mouth, judge righteously ant
plead the cause Of the poor and needy
Prov. xxi. 8. .-..sr.. ..4.. %,
Large meetings Of the working men
have been held lately in Boston, New
York, and other places on the Atlantic
border. On Friday evening the 9Th ult.,
a general meeting Of the Trades was
held at National Hall, New York, and
arrangements made for future operations.
The speeches and general proceedings
Of the meeting exhibit much talent and
energy of action. The chief reform ad.
yocated by this and other assemblages
Of the working classes Of the East, is
to make the public lands free TO actual
settles, and thereby remove honest, pow
erty stricken industry beyond the reach
Of concentrated capital. In tho older
portions of the country labor is daily be-
coming more setvile, and capital more
tyrannical. II the proposed reform will
tend to the emancipation Of labor, (and
who can doubt this2) the democratic
party will give It . warm support.
Hitherto the conflict between capital and
labor has been most unequal. Capital,
which ought to be left to take care of
ITSELF has been nursed and pampered by
legislation and public opinion. till it has
become as proud and insolent as Lucifer
himself, and now demands as a right,
what II formerly prayed for as a privi>
lege. All the profits oflabor must be
thrown into the hands Of incorporated
capital, while labor itself is insulted,
spit upon, and too frequently turned out
to starve. RI Fee@ e7
Ifthere is a constitutional remedy for
tkis,--a reform which will give to every
man, however poor, the privilege Of be-
ing freeman in fact, as well as in name
--by all that is just let it come The
freedom OF the public lands would be a
small price for the freedom Of millions Of
MEN, Who would otherwise become the
spirit broken slayes Of concentrated cap
i:al..
We shall endeavor hereafter to notice
more particularly the doings Of the work
ing men Of the Atlantic States. No sub.
ject 80 well deserves our attention. The
laboring classes have few chronicles and
fewer eulogists, while the doings Of The
commercial, financial. and fashionable
world, are duly narrated by the press
with the most exact paftieniaraty. Yet,
among the laboring classes is there to
be found more virtue and patriotism,
than in any other. Why then should
we regard their complaints and plans Of
reform, with indifference and contempt?
They are weak, ,.-sseaE In action, pa
tiest in suffering, THAT is the reason.
Might then commands respect! Even
so. Yes, might gets wealth, ,and wealth,
buys up all opposition to the unjust ex ,
actions of might. The labo,ing classes
have only 10 get might (which they can
have at any moment. to command res
spect. and enforce their just demands.
Let them show that they have might on
their side; numbers and concert of ac-
tion. and the learned trumpeters o.
public opinion will proclaim their great
ness TAR and wide. Let them also re-
member that truth aud justice alone en-
dure forever.
4 In seeking q remedy for the evils thai
SO grisvously Cypress them, the labor
ing classes may indeed az they have,
commit great orrors. They may pursue
iilusory phantoms. and deceptive reforms
| yet they are not on that account to be
treated with contempt. For, eremember
these laboring men, so toll worn, are th,
wealth producers Of the land. and tha
you Mr.. Capitalist, you Mr.. Banker, ant
you Mr.. Merchant, Mr.. Specuiator, Mr.
Preacher, Mr.. Office-holder. and all yot
other Misters and Squires who follow
we'll paid and s'genteeP' callings,--re.
member, 'sirs, you live. laugh and grow
fat, by means Of their skill and labor,