Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-04

If, as has been said, men are often good in spite
of their faith, we suppose we may apply the saying
to politics, and claim that some men reason correctly
in spite of their principles. An instance of this
latter discrepancy, and a proof of the theory, we
regard the annexed conservative views expressed by
very jealous Democratic journal of New York,
called par e1celeace, the National Democrat:
"EvILs on CApITALn-There is such tendency in a
portion of what is called the reform press Of the
United States to decry the "eyls of capital and to
abuse Capitalists" that large class has really come
to regard all capitalists necessarily the enemies of all
poor people. 1t is great mistake, and great folly
What is "capitals" There is magic or mystery
about it, It nothing but boarded labor 1t is the
suit Of all preceding labor Of which the individual whether
honestly or not has somehow other inte posses
sion 1t represents past abor and by that fact it be-
comes the remuneration Of present toll All money is
but conyentonalism indicate to that much toll
has, by somebody other been already expended and
the party possessing money recognised by society
having property in the fruits of the labor which
so expended Accordingly from the very earliest times,
the need Of such medium money has been felt The
precious metals have particular intrinsic WORTH yet
have on various accounts, tile recommendation of
for this purpose AS to intrinsic WORTH if any
left like Robinson Crusoe desolate island he
would find Ratchet Of iron much valuable tool
than of gold silver But the proportion in which
these metals found and variety of circumstances
have from early stage of the history of mankind
commended them for this purpose They used
before Governments coined them for money by weight
as a medium Of exchange. 8
Nor is this the only form of capital 1t exists also in
the facilities for labor formed by its which may
be formed directly by the agency of labor sein build
ngs suitable for carrying different operations, the
machinery which is necessary in multiplying the power
of those who toll in cheapening the commodity they
produce. The moment that labor realizes for
individual than he deems needfu for present consump
ton-the moment he begins put something by, and APP
plies that to the production of other resutsrom that
time he has capital in the world and he would have it
though there were bat upon earth, and he him.
self toifng day and night Whatever he puts by as
plus to facilitate future operations that strictly and
properly, is capital
The Indian who disabled for the chase but who has
bow and which he lends toanother in order that
he may bring him home portion Of the game he kills is
capitalist. The farmer who may have cash in his
pocket but who has loaf and plough, and who finds
man willing to drive that plough on condition that he
may eat the Loaf he is the capitalist in the labor market
and the ploughman is his customer Skill and strength
are capital they the result Of years of exerton
which has kept the muscular system in order Bones
and brains capital truly miles of dock
So that strictly speaking there is person the work
but Is may be capitalist, although he may be lahore
at the time and it is Only in broad rough wa,
that we draw the line of distinction leaving se sid
Of the great of those who toll and the other side
of it those who by their possession OF sufficient means
take themselves have bestowed upon them
lar way of speaking the title Of capitalists The
between them is constituted by the payment of wages 1t
is bargain between the and the other in whatever
form may pass whether merely for food clothing and
shelter, or for the largest money remuneration.
We see, then that this thing called capital, which
the progressive journals Of the day would have Us be
leve is such very wizard and devil is nothing but pre-
served labor without which there could be reward TO
present toll beyond the immediate supply Of mans physi
cal wants Like all other great blessings it is liable
great abuses in the hands Of bad but to talk Of de
stroyng 1t that would be like proposing
off mans legs rid him Of heavy pair of boots. Wha
says our Socialist neighbor of the Tribune to that?
National Democrat.