New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04

Capital has its rights,

the higher consideration Capital has its rights,
which are as worthy Of protection as any other
rights. Nor is it denied that there IL, and probably
always will be- relation between labor and capital
producing mutual benefits The error Is IN assuming
that the whole labor Of the community exists within
that relation. A few men own capital, and that
few avoid labor themselves, ana with their
capital hire or buy another few TO labor for them.
A large majority belong TO neither class-nelther
work for Others nor have Others working Tor them'
In most OF the Southern States, majority OF the
whole people of all colors are neither slaves nor
masters while in the Northern large majority are
neither hirers nor hired. Men with their faniles-
wives sons. and daughters-work for themselves on
their FORMS in their houses and In their SHOPS,
taking the whole product to themselves ana ASKING
no avors Of capital the one hand, nor Oh nireu Ia
borers or slaves. on the otner Ii is not forgotten
that a considerable number OF persons mingle their
own labor with capital-that is, they labor with
their hands and aso buy or hire others TO LABOR
for them; bat this is only mixed aud not distinct
class. No principle stated is distinguished by the
existence Of this mixed class.
Agaiu, a. has already been said, there is not OF
necessity any such thing the free hired laborer
being fixed in that condition for life Many indie.
pendert men everywhere in these States few years
back in their lives hired aborers. The prudent
penniless beginner in the world labors for wages
awhile. saves surplus with which to buy tools and
land for himself, then labors on his own account
another while, and ct length hires another new be-
Sinner to help him. This is the just
and and prosperous system which opens the
way to all gives hope to all, and consequent energy
and progress in the improvement OF their condition TO
all. No men living more worthy to be trusted
than those who toll up from poverty; none less In.
cned to take or touch aught which they have not
honestly earned. Let them beware OF sur
rendering political power which they
already possess, and which, il surrendered, VIII
surely be used to close the door OF advancement
against such as they and to fix new Disabilities ana
burdens upon them till all of liberty shall be lost.
From the first taking of national census to the
last are seventy years, and we find our population
at the end of the period eight times as
great as it was at the beginning. The In
crease Of those other things which men deem desir-
able, has been even greater. We thus have, at one
view what the popular principle applied to govern
ment, through the machinery Of the States ana the
Union, has produced in given time; and also what
if firmly maintained, it promises for the future.
There are already among those who, If the Unlon
be preserved, will live to it contain 30, OOO0Oo
The struggle Of to-day is not altogether for to-day.
II is for q vast future, also.
With firm reliance on Providence, all the more
firm and earnest for our present troubles let Us pro,
coed in the great task which events have devolyed
upon US. ABRAHAM LlNCoLH'
WAsuIsGToS, December 3. la6l