The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-15
nHIRELINas. ''--Mn. DOUGLASS oPPRoBRIUM

who have performed such service In other parts
country Ap 2s-u
nHIREILNGS. NIX. DOUGLASS OPPR0BRIUM
We differ entirely with Mr.. Senator Douglas
the whole subject Of the relations subsisting be-
contempt for all hrengs 1--WE respect them just as
much as we do those whose capital would be worth
less without their labor. Indeed, greatly fear
that the senator does not fully comprehend the cub
iect which he has ventured to talk about As we
view the matter capital is quite much indebted to
labor-or what he calls "hnelngs"-as labor is to
capital 1t is labor, in fact, that employs capital,
without which it would have very little value.
Every man in this whole country who his
- hreng." The merchant is "hirclins,r who
works u accommodate his customers for a compen-
sation. The mechanic is a !" hirelDg," who devotes
his time and his skill in given department Of in
dustry. The lawyer the physician, and the clergy
man are "hirelings" in direct way and on specific
terms The farmer is ''hirelng,' who labors to
produce what others need for subsistence and what
they pay for. Judge Douglas himself is fortunate
shirelingo who acts as agent for the people of Hi
parties.
Every author artist, and actor--every phioso
pher, historian and criticeyery man in the pursuit
of science, invention and discovery is hiroling,"
expecting compensation according to his talents, in
dustry and skill. In fact, this is world of almost
absolute dependence one upon another; and it is
governed by at least one universal law--the law of
compensations. We do not know how it may be, or
how il may have been heretofore, with Mr. Senator
Douglas. We trust, however, that he has been re-
warded for all his labors in public and in private
life. Those born to wealth and family distinction
inheriting means and postion--are apt to take a
wrong view Of the relations of human society, and
to give undue prominence to the accidents and incl
dents of fortune This class too frequently, have
heard it said, look with indifference or contempt
upon the struggling millions who are compelled to
"earn their bread by the sweat of the brow" We
have great charity for such men; because, like one
in the wilderness without guide or compass, they
are compelled to feel their way, and trust largely to
fortune to help them out. They have known the
ordinary wants Of life been compelled to tax their
powers for subsistence. All the world TO them arc
hirelings, begging their bounty soliciting their fa-
voSS and demanding their charities This class Of
&xidnas never enter into the compact Of human so
asV: for they t3h be made to 1sel that what
= done for them operates as much as compensa-
ttoA Cor the Of their capital what they pay to
tsir ahirelings" as reward for their labor. We do
not sufficiently know the antecedents of Mr. Douglas
to be able to judge whether the circumstances Of
his ownl life have been such as to lead him to APP
preciate his true relations to his fellow-men. The
'hireling" GLASS; we would suggest to him, is very
large 1t includes all who dependent upon their
coyntrymen for the success Of their industry, their
talents, and their skill 1t includes nearly all the
professional men, politicians and statesmon of Amer
lea II the "hirelipgs that work out nearly every
great scheme Of benevolence and philanthropy. 1t
il the ahirelings in eminent degree, that conduct
the public journalism Of the world 1t is "hirelings
that build our public edifces, canals, railroads and
then occupy and operate them.
There is one class of people in this and every
other country who are not hirelings." The specu-
lators gamblers thieves and all that numerous and
energetic brotherhood who command large share
Of public attention, and employ large police to
watch their operations, not hirelings.7 They
colSututo dh inooPonuont ioICc, arc WnoiIy TcS
cued from Mr.. Senator Douglass opprobious desig
nation. They employ and appropriate capital indie
pendent of the doctrine Of compensations to which
we have referred. They labor exclusively for them
selves and ON the pet game Of the senator g Heads
| win, tails you lose"
Mr. Douglas ID at perfect liberty to place US on
the list Of the hirolngs" We shall not fee.
aggrieved. but shall isbor all tho more zeaousy to
deserve the rewards Of an honorable industry and
discharge the duties Of that high trust which is de-
volved upon the conductors Of public Journal
The senator can take his position with the ndepend-
emit class to whom we have referred and we cannot
doubt if he goes at present rates. he will acquire
therein all the distinction which his abilities and
his nature are 80 well adapted to accomplish.
A PEACE SUGGESTION.
Nothing can exceed our modification at having
calaAd momAnf'a rnhanninaaa 70 tlo NJ. VI