The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-07-05
From the Statesman.
BANKING AGAINST LABOR.

From the Statesman.
BANKING AGAINST LABOR.
The relative value OF labor and cap
ital may be estimated by the benefits
which each has conferred upon the hu-
man family-by the duties which each
has been called upon to performin ame-
liorating the condition of man, and by
the estimation in which each has been
held by the great and good.
The superiority Of labor over capi-
tai is demonstrated by the fact that the
one is the creature of the other. Cap
itaI is the product of labor. Labor is
the capital the effect. Without
labor, capital could not have an exis-
tence. Labor, therefore, is superior to
capital, in the same manner, and in the
same respect, that the creator is supe-
rior IN power and energy to the crea-
ture.
1t may be said that capital is the in
ducement to labor. But, then, there is
an inducement prior and superior to
that. Men would labor, though they
did not produce capital. The love Of
lie is stronger than the love of money.
Labor would produce the necessarles Of
hfe, although there was no money.
Fishermen and laborers were the
delegated instruments Of disseminating
the truths OF christianity, end were the
chosen companions of the Great Retog-
mer of the world; but he repeled the
advances Of the money changers and
brokers, and denounced them for hav-
ing converted the temple of the living
God into den of thieves.
The Iaborer, 1t has been said, is wor-
thy of his hire ;but the same is nowhere
SAID OF the uSurer.
Every page Of scripture addresses
itself to the poor man. commiserateS his
hardships, sympathises with him in his
suilerings and wants, and mourns over
the wrongs which capital inflicts; but
of the rich man il is said, th It it is hard
for him to enter the kingdom Of Hea-
ven. Contrast the fate of Lazarus and
Dives.
Labor depends upon itself for sup
port, and the country is prosperous
when labor is in demand. Capital watch
es with eagerness the wants and en-
barrassments of society and individuals.
and when distress, like mantle, covers
the land, riots and rejoices at the i'm
mensity of its profits.
Labor asks no lavors--is not SEE n in
our legislative halls petltioning for ex-
emptions and special privileges; for tar
Ills and acts OF Incorporation. Capital, ,
though reaping, by the aid of our Leg
islature, double the profits Of labor,
yet, like death, is never satisfied, but,
with hungry voracity, still cries for
more.
Labor is plain, modest, unassuming,
mercItuI, boaStlng in nothing meretri-
cIous, claiming nothing but what it
owns, and ans werIrg TO the calls of sul-
tering with relief. Capital, inflated by
its TODD, bedecks Itself with the gold
which it gathers,and mistakes It's gLded
vices for solid virtues. 1t takes the last
crumb of bread from the hand of the
orphan, and the last drop of oil from
the cruise of the widow; ;it "lhrows them
into dungeons, and leaves them there
to die on the pestilent damps of its
charity" and yetit calls itself merciful.
Labor fights the battles of freedom;
capital stands by Witnessing the con-
test, giving succor to its enemies, and
rejoicing in their strength and victories
While labor is in the battle field, re-
pelling the hostile advance of ruthless
foes, capital is burning blue lights to
guide them in their course and relieve
them from danger.
Capital brings ruin upon the widow
and orphan, by the explosion Of its
banks; labor, by producing an abund-
ant harvest, stops the cries Of their hun
ger and relieves their sutlerings.
! Capital, ,avaiing itself the prospects
of scarcity, with questionable morai'
ty" engrosses the products of the earth,
and deals them out to the poor and
destitute at double and treble their orig
inal cost, and labor is thus swindled OF
the proceeds of its honest exertions,
and oppressed to crafty the avarice Of
capital.
I Capital sits in the cool retreat Of its