Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-05-02
TO yERTI ERs.
Labor VS. Capital.

Every branch Of business and human industry
throughout the civilized world that springs into
shape, and goes into operation by the aid of Ia
Dor or capital, has its source of existence either
in speculative ingenuity or human necessity. In
these days labor and capital are made and con-
sdercd as two distinct elements by which success
is to be reached and accomplished in every un-
dertaking.
There are two very different classes of men
that govern, guide and control every transaction
and enterprise-the class who perform the labor,
and the class who possess the capital. The OBJ
jeet and aim of both these classes is 10 make
whatever business their labor and capital is en-
ployed in pay an equivalent back for the labor or
capital so employed.
The laboring mans strength is in his health
and hands the capitalist carries his in his head
and pocket. The laboring man. most auspicious
season is that when bis labor is in the best de-
mand, and when the resources Of the country af-
ford him the greatest facilities for making his la
Dor profitable without the use Of much ready
money or capital. On the other hand the capi-
talist prospcrs quickest on a distressed commu-
1t is for the capitalist. Will it not be seen then
that the laboring class and the moned class are
very different in their operations and depend
encs?
In almost every other State but this business is
modelled after and based upon some systematic
principle, and guided by the standard of similar
transactions around it, and though labor is more
dependent in almost every other State in the Tn
ion than it is in California, it brings its reward
in proportion as the demand increases for it
There is but little equality between the laboring
class and the capitalist in the older States except
the class known as Independent farmers. Labor
to some degree in California is placed upon an
equality with capital. Why? Because the la
boring man requires but a supply OF provisions
in most instances TO enable him to commence his
operations as an independent laborcr. The only
capital often, very often used by the miner to
open his business, consists in the few dollars cx-
pended for tools 10 work with, and the little
amount laid out for pork, -four, coffee and su-
gar. Yet this small amount expended for the few
simple necessaries named above which was the on
ly capital employed by many, enabled them
through their own labor aud very limited cap
ital in money, to realize fortunes. This assertion
as regards California, is true both as relates 10
times past and times present
The laborer in the mines must be looked upon
as one of the most independent men, and when
possessed of proper energy and intelligence rcaps
the largest profit in his business in proportion 10
hp nf tol ,,,it .l,, hoe.
two or five hundred dollars has the advantage of
possessing labor aud capital and consequently
possesses and holds in his own hands the elements
OF success. 1t may bc said in reference to the
operations in the mines, that labor must be the
first mover in all enterprises. Capital steps for
ward when labor has created security for its in
vestment So it is in this State, in nearly every
extensive operation in the mines Miners will
stand aloof begging capitalists TO advance mon
ey to carry out this or that project, without be-
ing able TO give any security for the payment of
the principal or interest thus sought, or even
pledging their own labor as guarantee for the
money borrowed 1t is important 10 know and
consider that when labor and capital arc united
The result Of nearly every operation or enterprise
proves equally favorable to the working man as
TO the money loaner. 1t is n fact nevertheless.
though few working men in California treat il
with due consideration, that where great en-
terprisc is undertaken by associated labor with
sufficient means to defray their living expenses.
the rewards which success brings results to the
benefit of the working man or men, who so con
stitute themselves the raymastcrs of their own
labor. On the other hand where capital alone
controls and owns the work nj the sacrifice of
much labor, the working man is only permitted
to operate just in proportion as he subserves the
interest of the capitalist, thereby becoming the
dependent upon, instead OF the owner of the mo-
nopoly which his own labor created and made
profitable,