, 1853-04-02
The Dignity Of Labor.

Capital is ever arrayed in antagonism with
Labor. Labor is but too oaen rccreant to
It's own dignity. Th practical relation be-
tween Labor and Capital, is that of tyranI
and sulj ct In reality, Capital is only the
representative Of labor an image, GER
tifcaic ol Labor already performed Labor
creates Capital, aud then resigns its dignity
in worshiping the thing Of its own creation.
Capital is concentrated, Labor is dilfused 7:
any thing, house fo instance, worth a
hundred dollars, represents the labor Of a
hundred men for a day, Or The labor of ono
man for a hundred days, at the medium
pIioe of mechanical aud arlistieal labor.
Labor, then, being the reality, and Capt.
tai only lis representative, their relative po-
sitions to each other should be as under other
circumstances between the real and repre-
sentative. But, practically such is not the
fact. Labor, losing IFS self respect, lower
ing its own dignity, bows servilely 10 capi
tai.
Capital is never at variance with itself
there is between its points of concentration
hitlo or no dlscord, but on the contrary n
more or less harmony and unity of purpose.
The relative position and importance Of
Labor alike demand the same dignifed and
harmonious agreement between its possess
ors but such state fittings can only OK
iSt when labor shall become conscious of
and assert its own dignity.
That it possesses this intrinsic dignity is
apparent, 10 ii--.f ra i.'t... ,saal
lst, from is position with reference to
capital it being Tue REALTY, capital only
its RFrREseNrA1NE.
end Ir IS 1noNoRApLr, because Col
himself ptrlotmrd. labor, before and at the
creation OF man. -.r r.. -rra III 5.li
3d. lT WAS THE EARLIEST OCCUPATION
assigned to man after his creation
4th. lT is an OBEDIENCE TO TIE WILL
AND COMMAND OF GoD. .......t ....
5tll II is essential to the prosperity and
happiness Of the human race. ''''
These being the loundalion-ils emena.
ton from God--its extreme antiquity-and
its realiiy-its close connection with the
useful, truthful and beaulilul-iis claims TO
the possrssioh Of intrinsic dignity are estab-
lished beyond question i.-d' m..t g.
q But a different sentiment prevails mong
believers in our tOwns, cities snd village.
With very many, Labor is looked upon and
Regarded as itomeihing Vulgar. lnasamiiAliy-
low and degrading. This sentiment is ui-
tirly at variance with the true dignity and
happiness Of the human race, Ninclcnths
ofllhe human family mus labor to live in
virtue and happiness Some few may, by
a succession Of petty crimes obtain living
Without labor in the prisons, "a, eo ..g
3 The, other tenth live on the products Of
labor already performed either by them
s,lves or others api ..a n..0' -i hI a.l
Labor is then at all times and under al
circumstances, when its object is good, no
discredit 10 any human being, be they man
or woman. This is the only and true eou-
dition Of happiness, no.. ...cf .-.o.l,f
Industry is tie opposite Of idlcness-hoh,
csiy with virtue, idlenpss with vice, arc IN
separable connections with those not In pos-
session ofsa competence from labor already
we have said an opposite sentiment pre-
walls 10 cities, towns and villages. This is
etihctdp BY the large number Of idle, gen
teelly dressed, mieaIobers, waiting in the
vain expectation that " something will Turn
up y to save them from the DlsHoNo of Ia
bor-7to earn a livelihood, TO get an Office Of
some sort, an ugency- anything but honest
llabor b. Let those who labor MkINrAfN raE
DIsNITYoF TBsIR cAnLIKG despite ihe, ,opin
ions Of the brainless lops and silly misses
who fear 10 touch the band hardened BY