The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-04-22
THE SEWING WOMEN.

THE SEAMsTREssEs. Justice, BeneVolence,
sslfishnsss and injustice, are the bases Of, and
characterize all social movements and cOndi.
tions. As they exist, abstractly or relatively,
such d the state Of society. Growing out Of
these principles, and coming nearer to the
surface, are various economical maxims, which
regulate individual and combined action
Ofthess, we may mention the Jaw Of supply
and demand which elevates or depresses the
amount Of labor and its compensation, by COM
petition. No selfish man will give to one,
more Tor days work than he can get it for
from another. No one will be content to take
less for their work, than will be given by an
other and thus it is all through society. Self
interest governs But there are other maxims
not 70 be overlooked, but to be considered in
connection with those first mentioned, viz;
knowledge Is pOwer-ignOranee is weakness,
whether special or general llth is strength
-rOverty is wsakness;- s;--and let us not forget
morals and religion are valuable aids to the
ignorant and poOr, as capital, Also, it should
be remembered, ''in union there is safety and
power" Capital and labor have always been
in an nnwiSe, hnwholesome antagonism--ca
/ itaI is freedom-labor is slavery, and knowI-
sdge is capital and Ignorance is slavery. Let
those most deeply interested in thecontest for
j6stice, and agaidSt selhshhess, Remembers aAd
become familiar with these and many othsr
hke lfnf m
cessarly gtopD ~ \ 81 Ia ,tlI1
simiIasto that how going on in Cincinnati, to
secure, il possible, a fair days wages for a
fair days work. All employ ersI however, are
not to blame in this matter, for many would
cheerfully give their wOrkmen and workwom-
en- higher wages than they do, provided the
Jackscrews Of their business would do 90 too;
and unless they do, they are undersOld, !, and
purchasers for use and consumption, 90 tobuy
where they can get the most for their money.
The comprehense doctrine Of mankind is, "'get
all you can, and keep all you get" within the
pale Of the statute law; postponing the con
sideratiOh Of Gods law = "dO unto others
asye would that men should do unto you"
The question now is, however, Of prGcti-
catnature; it is, SO to arrange fema@ employ
ment. in variety and quantity, as to make it
necessary, TO make it the interest Of employers
OF women to give them better wagesthan they
now receive; and until il is their interest to do
80. no worldly wise man expects that they will.
Combined action alone, on the part Of employ
ees can effect favorable change, while sepa-
rate action will ever prove inefficient for re-
form and the ends Of benevolent justice.
Insuch case as at present engages the pub
lie mind Of Cipcinnati, that Of insufficient re-
muneratiOh to female work, all society is
deeply interested, no less than the sesmstress-
IS themselves. 1t is question Of public and
prixats morals, Of political economy in the
poo laws, and in other particulars which will
readily suggest themselves to the minds Of
pnre aud kindly natures. AJilG iE0l#s
Philosophers, men Of unsxceptiOnable life,
but whose thoughts, unfortunately, have
never risen above this material plane Of action
from sEFectstO causes have on various occa.
sions proposed to accomplish, by novel forms
the emancipation Of the unfortunate and in.
competent from the tyranny Of capital aut
knowledge. We need only name OWEN ant
FOuRIEH, The thing Is to be done, as yOr
would work Outa mathematical problem
without any reference to the yitalizing prin
ciple Of christianity, which, can only insur
the working 81 these aystsms according i
their theories. Now We DO. not condemn
these systems, for nothing Is useful unless it /
practical; iudssdthe are indispsnsable,bu "
insist they will not work, they cannot b