Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-06-17
THE CLAIMS OF LABOR.

THE CLAIMS OF LABOR.
A few days since in the columns Of our
paper, We earnestly asked our readers al
lentoa 10 the condition Of an interesting
class of laborers, the female in our
manufactures. In anuther article, upon
pre- fessonal men, we trust that we showed
ourselves aciuated by no mean, iliberal, OF
narrow minded spirit, but rather by dis
merits of all; and with an honest be-
lief that our sympathies are with the
worthy of every class, and that our
preJudiccs are against none, we venture
upon the discussion more generally of the
claims OF labor.
We suppose there arc those who believe
IN the inherent necessity in every Safe for
a class ofpersons TO exist in extreme poverty.
As such class has always existed, they re-
gard il law of mans life on earth, that it
shall exist. They suppose such I class in
dispensable TO the comfor1 and refinement
of other classes. They hate, perhaps, black
slavery, but must have forsooth a class of
white slaves.
Let US define what we mean by Poor.
We mean the condition of those who
have not property enough 10 provide for
their bodily wants, 10 ward off or alleviate,
the ills of disease, accidents or old age to
Crafty cultivated taste without any servile
and unmanly dependence on a patron, or on
that most tyranical of all patrons, the Pub
lie.
We hold that there is no necessity for
such class for that every industrious man
produces SO much more than he consumes,
that each person NAV have all that is necessa-
ry 10 lift him above poverty, and society be
able 10 support lis unfortunate members, liz
young, and its aged, with ease.
Add 10 this the still producing labor of
dead generations, and there is enough and
to spare for the living. Consider too the
the immense amount of work and labor done
by machinery, by the elements-fre, wind,
and watcr-toi man, and it is clear that the
rigor of the curse is mitigating, and if wealth
were more equally shared all might be rich
together. There is no antecedcnt iron me-
cessity that there should be class bowed
down with heavy load of poverty. The
SlCutOl liuo uCi, VIC ttllUh. 81 WI
is such class necessary for the perfection
OF The rest. There is nothing man does for
man, in spirit of love, that is degrading.
The meanest Offices are holy and honorable
when done in spirit of kindness and mercy.
Many of the Offices physician performs are
disgusting much of the lawyers labor is
servile drudgery, yet these professions are
respected, and other considerations impart
dignity 10 their members. 1t is great
truth that great soul will not shrink from
doing anything for man. The Son of God
washed the feet of the sons of men. Since
these things are so, those offices which are
now assigned to the poor will continue to he
done so far as they arc useful, however the
condition of the poor may he amel;orated.
The dependence of all classes upon all
classes will continue forever Tire effect
as we suppose of ameliorating the condition
of the poor will be, that all things which
done will be done more readily, better, and
a. less cost. We are also Of opinion that
those delicate and refined pursuits which re-
qulre lifetime of application, as muse,
painting, sou pture, so far from being inlur-
ed were there no poor, would fad a new
class of patrons and a wider field for exer-
ton. The patronage of The arts, which
under better constitution of things, might
come from the laborng classes, is worthy of
thought.
How to elevate the working classes is
more d fficult problem TO solve than TO prove
thln it would be safe TO elevate The poorest
of the poor. One thing however is certain,
no class of serts should be created ~here
none CRISIS.
When there is danger Of such class
being created, as in the Factories, let Lee
gisa,ion interfere TO prevent. Let Society
at leas, hold what she has got.
The education of the young should be
more thorough, and children should be kept
at school by law. The practice of employ
ing boys between twelve and eighteen years
of age in constant work of any kind should
be forbidden by legislation, and the State
should compel the attendance Of the child
at school. All that can be done in this
matter is to educate the people. Whatever
an educated man does for honorable ends,
all men feel 10 he honorable. Boston Bee.