Daily American telegraph., 1852-04-12
Labor.

In recent letter to the Working Mems Asso-
citation Of Trenton, Mr.. Webster said:
"In other countries, where the mass of the
people is uniformed, where wages are low, and
there is but little hope held out to the most in
dustrious, labor is often and chiefly toll and
drudgery But in the happy condition of things
existing among u.s. labor, in all its varieties OF
employment, is cheerful, hopeful, grateful, and
happy"
The truth contained in these few words should
sink deep into every heart. 1t has been but i'm
perfectly understood in this country When we
have spoken of labor and the laborer we have
done so with reference to a something we call
"society," of which the laborer has been hardly
deemed constituent member. The increase of
wages the abridgement of the hours of toll the ex-
emption of the laborer from whatever Of discipline
is unnecessary and degrading, the bonds of fell
lowship and community Of interests by means of
association, the abolition of the lash, and all
things conducive to the elevation of man, have
been looked upon as encroachments upon the
welfare of " society"
1t is maxim in Jurisprudence that it is better
ninety-nine guilty men should escape than that
one innocent should suffer. May the application
Of this principle not be extended? Is it not bet
ter that society of ninety mine persons should
suffer many inconvenience rather than that one
innocent man should be physically, mentally, and
morally degraded?
We have examined the details of calculations
demonstrating that, were every member of COM
munity to labor moderately at some appropriate
and useful task for three or four hours day, the
wants of that community would be abundantly
supplied. We have no doubt in the world Of the
accuracy of this estimate and although it may
be regarded as impossible to bring about SO happy
condition of things, we yet believe that an un-
Outstanding Of this fact, and the regulation of
our conduct in obedience to its natural sugges-
tions, would be vastly conducive to our welfare.
One Of the greatest fallacies ever uttered orig
mated with one Of the greatest intellects this
country has produced. tits the proposition that
Nlabor is debasing." The reverse Of this is
true II is elevating; and in an especial degree
when physical and mental labor are most init
mately blended, or when the moderate require.
ment Of the former enables us to alternate il
with corresponding portion of the latter.
Fourierism, socialism, or by whatever name il
may be called, is sneered ut and despised. That
systems of the kind are imperfect, or partially
erroneous, may be true. We do not know.
Nothing of the kind has been practically submit
ted to our own people. But we are clear in our
convictions that it is in the study Of such systems
only that right appreciation Of our relations to
society may be acquired.
1t is the natural tendency Of the human mind
to yearn after luxury, pomp, ease, and Incidence
but we are not yet left to learn that this natural
tendency is pernicious and degrading, andsubver-
sve of the general veal And yet the Legislation Of
mankind has almost invariably tended to foste,
this corrupt procvity.
The time has come in which the minds of mel
are opening to just convictions. "Ln The haPPs
condition Of things existing among u.s. labor, IN al
its varieties Of employment, is cheerful, hopeful, crate
Jul, andhaPpy" The truth will be acknowledged