The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-07-05


of the brow.
Labor produces and capital swindles.
Labor is liberal, capital avaricious. La
Dor is liable to the full amount oflts ex-
ertions for its debts, capital is liable on
ly TO the amount which it embarks in
particular speculation.
The highest profits oflabor do not ex-
ceed 4 per cent.-the profits OF capital
are never under and frequently rise
to IS and 90 per cent.
Labor is taxed upon the whole
amount fits investments, capital upon
its profits or dividends only.
Labor prides itself in acts OF benev-
olence and in the hardy virtues which
the encountering of difficulties engen-
ders, capital in the flash which gltters
from the diamond and the jewel, and
in the os,entatious display of magnlf-
cence.
Notwithstanding the vast advanta-
ges which capital has over labor, cur
Legislature is yearly granting it more,
and it now threatens to swallow up
the fruits Of labor and SUBJECT it TO a
Board of Control. And this is called
equality. Why will the people be any
longer eluded by the professions OF led
eralism.
Surely our Legislature acts as il the
protection of capitalwas the sole object
of the institution of society-of gov
ernMent-of legislation. Ii seems to
forget that the poor nuns labor is as
valuable to him and ten fold, aye,a thou
sand fold more beneficial to society,
than the purse which the rich man but
tons with such care in his breeches
pocket. 1t acts as if the accumulation
of property was the great end OF socle-
ty, and iorgets that man has soul, OF
high destiny and unbounded capacity,
breathed into hlm by Almighty God,
which is capable of education,improve
ment and infinite development.
Verify the time has come for action
for consu uItation-for "speech and ar
ticuatc inquiry" Let the system OF
granting ,avors TO capital progl ess,and
perfect itself, and it will rule US with a
rod iron. Gifted with the power,by
"expansions to-day and contractions
Tomorrow" of keeping the market IN
constant fluctuations, there will be NO
end to its dominion. 1t will subject us
to compact tyranny, as loathsome as
that of Russia.
Let labor then stand to Its rights, let
it combine to put down the monstrous
tyranny which capital is creating. Be
not deceived by the common place, but
iluslve arguments about the advantages
OF capital. You will be told that it has
dug your canals and constructed your
railroads. Why has il not paid the
twenty millions which we owe for these
roads and canals? Be not deluded
with the oft repeated but false argu.
nents about the advantages OF the cred
it system. Every credit is debt and
be assured that labor must pay that
debt. and capital will not forgive it, or
abate cent of the interest until the
utmost farthing is paid.
Hear what the eloquent, truth-loving
WILLIAM LEGGEr said upon this subject
IN 1885: There are in the United
States, upwards Of six hundre banks
at this moment, with an issue of paper,
probably amounting to two hundred
millions of paper money. Who pays
the piper for this mode of dancing?-
Who pays the expenses of banking
houses, salaries of officers, and other
contingencies! Who paid million
and half for the marble palace in
winch the greatpaoer mammoD is wor-
shipped in PhiadeIphia? And who will
be obliged to pay all these through all
time to come, 50 long as they exist.and
crush US to the earth? The peopie;the
laboring classes OF the United States
and their foredoomed posterity.
"Let US 90 on. Who has paid the
penalty Of all the millions which the
failure of hundreds Of paper banks left
unredeemed? The people; the labor
ing classes Of the United States. And
who is now actually responsible for the
two hundred millions of paper money
now circulating in every house, and
from hand to hand in every nook and
corner Of the land? Out of whose
pocket,out OF the sweat Of whose brow,
come the dividends of these banks ;and
whence will be derived the means OF
redeeming these two hundred millions,
if they are ever redeemed? From the
pockets of the people; from the sweat
of the laboring classes. And who will
pay both interest and principal of these
enormous issues of paper money, rest
ing upon paper promises? We answer