Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-14
The Printers and the Sabbath.

We have before us the Richmond g Dispatch"
of Wednesday, from which we learn that there is
strife between the proprietors of that paper and
the printers Of Richmond. 1t appears that the
printers have an organized society," which regu-
lates by law all things affecting the interests Of
the craft; and that the particular subject upon
which issue is now joined, is the determination
of this society that there shall be no more work
done in the offices at Richmond on the. Sabbath
day.
The Dispatch appears to be the only paper
that refuses to acquiesce in this resolve; and it
does so, firstly, because of the disturbances Of
the latest news in the paper of Monday morning;
secondly, because promptness and enterprise are
the peculiar qualities that command success for
a penny paper; thirdly, because they have to
compete with the papers of Baltimore, the types
for which are set up on Sunday; and, fourthly,
because they regard the arbitrary laws and die
tation Of the society of printers as "utterly at
war with the personal freedom and independence
guaranteed by our political institutions" We
believe the positions of the !" Dispatch are here
correctly described.
What the printers say on the subject we have
not learned except from brief extract from
their address quoted in the i" Dispatch" which
merely attempts to explain how the papers for
Monday morning can be printed on Saturday
night, without prejudice to the interests of the
publishers.
We will volunteer few remarks on this SUBJ
ject and without feeling that we are bound to
observe the order in which the arguments are
above arranged.
The demand of the printers relating to the
Sabbath indicates an improved condition of SEN
timent in the members of their profession, with
which we are gratifed, and for the practical en-
forcement of which we honor them. The Sab
bath day is the best gift of Heaven to the labor
ing man it is emphatically the POOR MANS DAY
the one day of every seven which he stands
erect, and feels proud consciousness that the
difference in the external fortunes of men neces-
sariy effects no real difference in their natures,
and that in all the attributes of goodness, and
all the capabilities for enjoyment, he is the equal
Of the proudest and most wealthy of his brethren.
1t is day to which he looks backward with
pleasure, and forward with joy and hopefuness.
1t is day that insures to him freedom, independ-
ence, rational pleasure, with exemption from labor
for one full seventh Of his life. We do not speak of
its religious teachings, the elevation of the moral
sentiments, and the consequent incubation of the
principles of self-respect. We are regarding it
solely as a social and civil institution. 1t is,
finally, day that should be cheerfully observed
and honored by every rational mana day, may
we be pardoned for saying, that none of the sons
of toll can disregard without proving false to
their own interests, and traitorous to the best
interests of their felow-laborers 1t is therefore,
with high qualification we learn that the printers
of Richmond have taken a manly and decided step
toward reforming an abuse that disgraces their
craft in every city, town, and village in this
Union.
Touching the constitutional question relating
to personal freedom suggested by our respected
friends of the Dispatch" we have only to say
that we cannot think with them. They have a
perfect right to refuse to employ any of the
printers now in Richmond; and these printers
have an equal right to refuse to work for them /;
and if they, having capital, which is but accumu-
lated labor, may therefore stand in the position of
employers to eight or ten men, these eight or ten
men have an equal right to concentrate into one
win their views and interests and thus meet their
employers on footing of equality. If they will
not agree to be divided, that they may, in their
isolated heplessness, be subdued and conquered
however vexatious this may be to an antagonistic
power, their combination cannot be rightfully
complained Of as unjust, oppressive, or unconsti-
tutional. The laws Of our country have been
framed for the welfare of the many and if a
Judge Edwards, Of New York, and few other
judges, have occasionally found statutes or pre-
cedents upon which to base prosecutions for con-
spiracies, they have proved, not that such combi-
nations are unlawful, but that there are some old
superannuated tyrants still existent in our land
SO long as the means used by the printers to in.
duce their whole number to act together not
in themselves unlawful, so long will law and pub
lie opinion sustain them in upholding the GOOD
name and true interests of their calling.
The question of the expediency Of the proposed
reform, and the manner in which the publishers
should manage their Offices under its operation,
argued by the I" Dispatch" and discussed some
what by the printers in their address, is one in
which we cannot understand why the latter feel
called upon to interfere; we cannot but think
they would find it more to their interests to avoid
the discussion oft. They should take for granted,
what is entirely true, if err not, that the pub
fishers Of Richmond are very competent to man
a0e their own affairs All that concerns them is,
firstly, to know that the Sabbath day ought to be
observed at least by abstinence from labor and,
secondly, that they win SO observe it, If they
act thus, and stand by their decision, they must
4r.,,,.xb