Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-30
"THE POOR AGAINST THE RICH"

MIR. Lyell's visit to Lowell and his inspection
OF the factories there, made strong impression
upon him, as is usual with almost every stranger
who beholds that remarkable illustration of the
organization and development of labor in this
country. The contrast which forced itself upon
his mind between the condition of things at Low
ell and the appearances exhibited at an English
manufacturing town, was pleasing to his phan-
throPy, probably, at the expense of his patriotic
seDsibiltles. The regard for the welfare and
conduct OF the operatives when not on actual duty,
as shown by the social and domestic arrange
ments at Lowell, was something rarely seen in
England. 30 the general appearance of the en-
Pioyed was lar superior to anything which an
observer OF English factories, would be likely to
Imagine as possible under the circumstances
The factories at Lowell says the intelligent
traveller, ARE not only on great scale, but have
been SO managed as 10 yield high profits, fact
which should be impressed on the mind of every
foreigner who visits them, lest, after admirng
the gentlty OF manner and dress of the women
and men employed, he should go away with the
idea that he had been seeing model mill, or a
set OF gentlemen and ladies' playing at factory
for their amusement There are but few chill
dren employed at Lowell; and those under fif-
teen are required by law to go to school three
months In the year, under penalty of heavy fine.
IF this regulation is iDfrnged,' continues the
traveller, 'intormers are not wanting, for there is
stronS sympathy In the public mind with all
acts OF the Legislature enforcing education"
1t is usual with those who profess especial re-
gard for the people, and ask nothing in return but
their votes and the possession of office, with all
its cares, saying nothing of its perquisites, to de-
nounce the manufacturing system in this country
and the policy which sustans it. Some of the
newspapers of this school talk of the profits of
the master manufacturer, and represent him as
wrlnglDg his emoluments from the hard labor of
those whom he employs. The latter are spoken
OF as victims, the former as a tyrant. He is pic
tured as an lDsolent nabob--a selfish unfeelnp
calculator, whose constant thought is 10 take adj
vantage of those who labor in his employment.
Iii democratical TO talk in this way for de-
mocracy in these days is founded upon the social
Jealousies OF one class against another. In the
noble work OF exasperating these jealousies, of
extlnguishing all kindly sympathy, of fixing ha-
tired In the heart of man against his fellow, and
helghtenlDg 1t into TaDcour-!n such work as
'nis are The active votaries Of democracy employ
ed 10 make the laboriDg population believe
that all VINO give them employment or who are
richer than themselves are their impacable enc
mics, aTlstocrats, who would extort labor from
them u they could, without even a pittance of
wages, is TO inculcae a democratic principle
AS Tor seeking to better the condition of the la
boring people, TO elevate their state, to improve
it by education, to furnish them with employment
and the means Of comfort and respectabiljty. what
do the demagogues care for these things No:
every effort which the Wings make in this very
behalf is turned against them, and the people are
made 10 believe it is some device Of an enernv
But we must live in the hope Of better things
some OF these days.-BaN. american.