Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-11-25
AMERICAN LABOR.

have spoken OF labor as one Oh e great elements oil our
society," the great substantial interest On which all stand.
Not eudal service not preda toll note ksome drudgeIy
by Of mankind subjected on ccount Of color TO the
control of another Of mankind but bor, intelligent man
w. independent thinking and acting for ITSELF earning its
wages Accomplishing those wages INTO capital becoming
part Of society and of social SYSTEM educating childhood,
maintaining worship, claiming the right Of the elective fran
chise and helping uphold the great fabric Of the State
That AMERICAN LABoR, and CONFESS that all my sym
pathes are with it, and my voice, uhI dumb will be
for .--Daiei Webster.
1t is the brightest page Of thiscountrys history
on which is recorded that labor las here attained
dignifad and exalted character. For the first time
in the annals of the nations 81 the world has it emerg
ed from the grovelling associations with which it
has ever been united, and earneda high position for
itself. The world is learning tie bold truth from
us that it is the only basis on which all enduring
superstructures can be erected.
In the New England States ilpaticular it is the
elementary principle Of our society. There is no
interest no position, no individual that is unaffected
by its influence. All other intteess with us stand
on this. Every plan or policy originates, strength
ems; and develops only through its immediate in
strumentaty. 1t upholds all tie edcts of legisla-
ton consodaes the various ramictons of the popular in
tees gives character to the Necessary conventonates Of
society," and throws security aroun the possession and
joyment Of all our civil and regiouspr privileges.
We need not look long far to understand the OF
this. No labor could completely inter into the vitality OF
society, except coupled with nay very part of intel
gence The whole of the high character of labor
is Its intelligence. knowledge permeaes the great Of
aborers goes with them their tasks stands like
handmade nigh them their toll shares the protection OF their
roofs, and holds communion with them at Ill times. II
bege in turn, spirit Of inquiry, Of comparison, e study
ingenuity and Of improvement that have advanced american
labor by rapid strides its already elevated position.
eves the strain Of the physical powers, while ii snu
taneouy nes 10 efforts of greater tension. The number
less shortcomings Of mechanical instinct merely than
| adequately supplies 1t makes economical employment
OF actual physical exertion, while its fasghted direction
voluntarily renders that exeron intense protracted
| and successful
To illustrate this point, have only compare pre-
sent condition Of labor in England and France with its cor
responding character in Poland, Spain, and Russia We
need only array examples in hand, the state of abore
in Belgium, Holland and Germany, against that OF the work
ing classes Italy and Turkey We hold up the character
Of labor in the United States by the side of its character in The
South American republics nay, in oil the other nations and
provinces of the world The comparison bu, TRUTH
aud that Understandings We hsve taught the nations
ourselves learned when by the force of pecpar cir
cumsiances, compelled to dof the strait jackets
selited dignity, and in ocoat style put in equkon all
our intelligence and power. ...>
II the dignity American labor has thus acquired rats upon
the amount Of knowledge dused among voares there is
yet another for the elevation below this There some
incentive to the pursuit Of knowledge for that comes not I'M
sought. 1t is this The security on the part of the boer Of
Nj,
paid, but Of being paid literally. labor itself is curse, no
reward, OF but meager only doubles the In the
matter OF good wages country have for the rest
Of the nations example. We aimed 10 make labor dci
fled, but did not attempt by idly prating about its dig
nifty. We elevated the character of the labo-er 6y paying
him 'reh We made that pay not only sure, but ample
ample enough to allow him provide Literally for his family
possess and enjoy the refnemen Of social life Others
DO and to exa his intellect and ambition by acquaintance
with the worlds chequered history, and with the re.
suits Of the worlds genius This the whole seere,
the matter.
The capital Of New England is its intelligent Labor. No
incubus weighs upon social organnon in the character
OF vassa eudaores, ses. This intelligent labor bears
no impress OF INDECENT drudgcry Of serie obedience II
thinks contrve and acts for itself In due tine il saves and
accumulacs IFS earnings These earnings increase the original
capital for they 10 enlarge the capacity and extend the
field to the lshore himself They command in various
FORMS political and social respect They dot the face Of the
country with churches and schoohoues ercc, busy manu-
factory at every waterfall bind the wind and chain the light
ning connect places almost unknown each other pro-
mote universal industry, and duse general intelligence and
happiness.
This is the character, and these the results Of our Free
intelligent well rewarded American labor. Where on the
face Of the world is there to be similar spectacle
Whose hand by degrading educated labor level with
that eTtored from the menias and pauPers Of Europe would
blot this brightest page Of national history Whose SYM
pathies are not all with whose voice will not be for until
he is dumb '-HUtford CouaaL