Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-02-28
THE HERALD.
LANcf The Dignity Of Labor.


Us RELATIVE POSITION TO CAPITAL dc.
Capital is ever arrayed in antagonism
with Labor. Labor is but too often recre-
ant to its own dignity. The practical rela-
ton between Labor and Capital, is that Of
tyrant and subject In reality, Capital IS
only there preventative of Labor; an image,
a certificate of Labor already performed.
Labor creates Capital, and then resigns its
dignity in worshiping the thing Of its own
creation. Capital is concentrated, Labor
Is diffusad; anything, house for instance,
worth hundred dollars, represents the
labor of hundred men for day, or the
labors Of one man for hundred days, at
the medium price Of mechanical and arts
tical labor.
Labor, then, being the reality and Capt.
tai only its representative, their relative
positions to each other should be as under
other circumstances between the real and
representative. But practically, such is not
tho fact. Labor, losing its self respect,
lowering lis Own dignity, bows seyilely to
Capital. !.
Capital is never at variance with itself;
there is between its points Of eoncentra-
ton little or no discord, but on the con-
trary more or less harmony and unity Of
purpose.
The relative position and importance Of
Labor alike demand the same dignified and
harmonious agreement between its posses
sors; but such state Of things can only
exist when labor shall become conscious Of
and assert its own dignity.
That it possesses this intrinsic dignity is
apparent.
1st From its position with reference to
capital; it being the reality, capital only its
representative.
End. It is honorable, because God him
self performed labor, before and at the Gre
alton Of man.
Sd. 1t was the earliest occupation assign
ed to man after bis creation.
4th 1t is in obedience to the will and
command Of God.
18th. 1t is essential to the prosperity and
happiness of the human race.
These being the foundation--its emana-
ton from God-its extreme antiquity
and its reality-its close connection with
the useful, truthful and beautiful-its claims
to the possession of intrinsic dignity are
established beyond question.
But a different sentiment prevails among
believers in our towns, cities and villages.
With very many, Labor is looked upon
and regarded as something vulgar, essen
italy low and degrading. This sentiment
is utterly at variance with the true dignity
aud happiness Of the human race. Nine
tenths Ct the human family must labor to
live in virtue and happiness. Some few
may, by succession Of petty crimes, OBJ
tain living without labor in the prisons.
The other tenth live on the products of
labor already performed either by them
selves or others.
Labor ii then at all times and under all
circumstances, when its object is good, no
discredit to any human being, be they man
or woman. This is the only and true con-
dition Of happiness.
Industry is the opposite of idleness -
honesty with virtue, idleness with vice, are
inseparable connections with those not in
possession of competence from labor al
ready performed.
We have said an opposite sentiment pre-
walls in cities, towns and villages. This is
eyinced by the large number Of idle, gen
teeiiy dressed, g2icaaebers, waiting in the
vain expectation that something will turn
mp to save them from the dishonor Of la
bor-to earn a livelihood, to get an Office
of some sort, an agency-anything but
honest labor. Let those who labor main
tain the dignity Of their calling despite the
opinions of the brainloss tops and silly
misses who fear to touch the hand harden
ed by honest toll. Though their garments
may not be smooth and shiny-though
they cannot 60 through the gyrations Of
dancing master, when they ask chow do
you do!'' still they are the true Fepresen-
tatives Of human dignity and independence.
e.