The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-19
Labor and Capital.

"The employed are usually the aggressive, and the
employees the passive resisting party" This is the
language OF the Republic in speaking Of the recent move
men,s among laborer demanding an increase OF wages
This matter 10 but little understood and much misrepre-
sened When general prosperity causes an increase IN
prices the ilberay of capitalists. attempting TO proven,
corresponding rise in wages frequently compels labores
10 combine and strike for increased pay sometimes
but rarely ever happens that unreasonable demands are
made and more frequently jus, demands enforced too
sunmarily and with much violence but we feel no
hesitation in saying that the oil labore in the
nuc,uaon Of prices are infinitely more jus'ihsble than
those OF tn. capitalists. who can combine more rapidly
and more secretly, and having the ability to live
without immediate employment, can always protect
themselves aSains, unjust claims, and not unfrequenty
force compromise with jus, ones, for with labor daily
employment is necessary TO supply daily bread IL Is
true tina, when increased wages are demanded. the EN-.
ployed usually the aggressive party" because EN-.
poyees urey take measures increase Them bu, when
there be reduction OF wages the employees become
The aggressive and the employed "he passive or resist
ing party" Il great mistake to suppose that combna-
tons and strikes confined to laborers. Capitalist
combine and strike Of and effectively for they
always have the advantage The di6eenceis, that labor
e strike for higher wages, while capitalists strike for
lower wsges. The party naturally as in all bar
gains, wishes to obtain mach il can, and the Other
10 pay little a. may and II ia plain 10 see that the
capitalists has every advantage in the struggle. He
can rest idle for while, but the aborer mus
have food and rament, and to obtain these be must
have employment To him, ideness is always privaon,
and sometimes starvation. The harsh requirements OF
capital do not always attract the public attention and
when they de. II purchase advocates to justify or ex
Them II printing presses and controls news
papers; and eombnins readily and acting secretly, can
prepare the public mind 10 sympathize with its
menis Labor hes but few ogans, for unfortunately the
successful aboer who accumuass only swes the ranks
OF the capitalists. throwing aside his former views, and
,"o'onS the ideas and feelings OF bis associates
must act in masses, attracting the public attention
measures are often necessary prevent the deser-
W" ?, hs um'd, or those poched BY want The de-
"sna 'or higher wages s no, made in az courteous and
po'sneo 'efms as that for a red,co, ~ vaoe. yhils
Necessity gives rise 10 urgen, i.,,,. IL x.;,a
actions, which the unhinsino rron.,a .nuvn.,;z
revolutionary and astaran yolsn.a NJ ,,,.,|
mind can Consider the subiec, ,ri,h..,, -,
ing on all sides evidences that c,ni,,l :,
tanned immense advantages over labor in A., .o,-.,-,
struggle between them. There is alvays .o'
tween the buyer and the seller-be,vesn -
eanse the demand and those who furnish hs -
but We doub, II there is any instance in rhi.h
conflicting interests operate where the STRIFE !. 80
quail as IN that between labor and capital The
OF legislation has been in favor Of The .,ronr..,
.' =, "eAhso monopoes, and special privileges, and
.'sa"ases' aoor has been denied ITS due share of M
nA"ona' production The spresd OF democratic principle
ns''nse'sd much to areorae the condition of the work
ING classes but much remains to be done before Tho