Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-06
From Cincinnati Gazette
Division of Labor.


For four or five years past, it must have been
apparent to every careful observer of current
events, that labor in the United States has not
been distributed in manner calculated TO
promote the best interest of the laborer or the
country at large. This is attributable mainly
TO the progressive spirit of the age, under the
influence of which people became restless in
their respective positions, and too anxious to
accumulate wealth. The various modes uader
which people had previously acquired property
were unadapted to the times Every body wan
ted to get rich, and to get rich at once. Views
on this point were likewise expanded and what
would previously have been regarded as a con-
potency, was looked upon as a very moderate
capital to start upon. Then the country was
converted into n field of fspeculative operations;
and the attention of the great majority of the
population was turned from the prosecution of
interests that underlie all others. to merchandi
zing, stock specuations, money dealing, ETC.
People did not stop to reflect that only GER
tain amount of money was in the country; and
that all supposed profits were realized by hav-
ing them transferred from one party to another;
that this sudden transfer and the general in
hatiOn in the value of every thing purchasable
would in accordance with the settled laws of
trade, react; and that under this system capital
would take to itself wings and depart The
days of supposed prosperity were experienced.
Men counted their riches by thousands, tens of
thousands, and hundreds of thousands. The
effect Of a reaction is now to be seen. as it is
felt, on every hand. The riches which consis-
ted of sto' rs, bonds, houses, lands, &C., not
available, except at greatly reduced prices; and
even at low figures, sales cannot be made to
any great extent. Parties who have money
are disposed to hold it.
This state of things has brought matters to
point from which parties can readily discov-
er the great and fatal errors, into which the
country at large has fallen. 1t is now evident
that all other than agricultural pursuits receive
too much attention, and that the latter was
greatly neglected, thus labor was improperly
divided, and although this for time secured
for the latter, high nominal compensation, it
has really operated against the interests of that
class. What advantage has a man who re-
ceives two dollars per day, and pays one dollar
and fifty cents for living, over the man who
receives the latter amount and pays one dollar?
The profits in both cases are alike. When la
Dor and living advance in proportion, neither
the laborer nor the producer can be benefited
Such advances result from limitations; and secure
imaginary, not real wealth. Actual wealth can
only result from Production. Yet we have
been estimating large increase of wealth;
while our productions have if any thing dimin
ished, and our imports from foreign countries
largely increased. Our population instead of
mining, manufacturing or cultvatng the soil,
have been heavy consumers of foreign manufac
lures; and large portion OF our people, have
been laying down foreign iron over the richest
coal and iron beds in the world. Thus while
supporting the manufacturing interests Of Eu-
rope, we have been producing hardly sufficient
to feed ourselves. Millions of acres of lands
have not been cultivated, and millions more
have been only half or quarter titled. But even
with the heavy foreign imports, had our agri-
cultural interests been properly attended to-
the effects Of the extravaganza and imprudence
that have been practiced, would not be felt to
any serious extent. Last year the English and
French markets would have taken from us three
or four times the amout of breadstuffs that we
furnished, had we been able to supply such a
demand; and we would have been able, had
portion of the forces that were otherwise EN-.
plOyed been engaged in agricultural pursuits;
and not only so, but supplies would have been
furnished TO home consumers at reasonable
prices. Instead Of the latter the most exorbi-
taut rates prevailed for every article of bread
stuffs and provisions. This is also the case
now. The leading articles of food are every
where scarce. There is demand for cereals
abroad, but we have not the supplies to meet it.
Our current rates, which are based on meagre
receipts, prohibit shipments. 1t is true that
the season was an unfavorable one, but the
difficulties arising from this cause would have
been measurably obviated by an increasing
cultivation. In the latter respect, the United
States has the advantage ofall other countries.
The question with us is not how much we can
produce, but how much we WW produce. The
extent of the production depends on the amount
of labor bestowed. This is evident from the
large amount of unimproged land in the coun.
try. In five of the Western States we find
over ffiy t'oo million acres of land, only tcen-
ty three million of which are improved These
lands are distributed as follows.
STATES. IMPROVED. UNIMPRovED.