, 1861-12-26
NOS 80.


South Of the Chesapeake, also, We have OBJ
tanned footing at each Of the isolated points on
the southern coast Of HatterEs Port Royal,
0tybee Island, near Savannah, and Ship Island
and we likewise have some general accounts Of
popular movements on behalf Of the Union men
in North Carolina and Tennessee. These things
demonstrate that the cause Of Union b advAne-
ing steadily Southwark since your last adjourn
ment .--.... s.4s',-. ~
with the retirement Of Gen. Scot, Il became
the duty Of the Executive TO appoint in bis stead
GeneTal.in. Chief Of the Army. Il Is fortn-
nate circumstance that neither in council nor
country has there, 50 far as know been any
difference Of opinion a. TO the proper pefaon to
be selected. The retiring Chief repeatedly ex-
pressed his judgment in favor Of Gen Mcclellan
for the position, and In this the nation seemed 10
give unanimous concurrence The designation
Of Gen. Mcclellan Is, therefore, in considerable
degree, the selection Of the country - well as
Of the Executive, and hence there is reason to
hope will be given him the confidence and cor
dial support thus, by iair implication promised,
without which he cannot with fun efficiency
serve the country. 2taei l4fNs
1t has been said that one bad GeneialisbsttoF
than two good ones The saying Is true, q taken
to mean no more than that an army u better
directed by single mind, and though INTERIOR
than by two superior ones, at variance and cross
purposes; and the same Is true IN all thriving
operations wherein those engaged can have mono
but common end in view, sld can differ only
as to the choice Of means ID storm 1t sea,
no one on board can wish the ship 70 sink, and
yet not unirequently all 60 down together, be-
cause too many will direct and no single mind
can be allowed to control -. .,....,.
Il continues to be developed that the innovation
is largely, Il not exclusively. war upon the first
principles Of popular goyernmeDt-the rights 81
the people Conclusive evidence Of this &
found in the most grave and maturely eonclderod,
public documents, as well as in the conduct Of
the insurgenls In these documents We find th6
abridgement Of the existing right Of suhfagei
and the denial to the people o Al participation
in the selection Of public officers, except 70 the
Legislative body, advocated with laborcd arg1-
msnts. In my present position could scarcely
be justified wereI 70 omit raising Z warning
voice against this approach Of despolism.
II is not needed here that general argumens
should be made in favor Of popular institutions;
but there Is Que point IN this connection. not so
backward as most others, to which | ask . brief
attention Il Is the effort 70 place capital on m
equal footing with, II not above labor in the con-
Struetion Of the gosernment ilt Is assumed that
labor isonly available 10 connection with capital
that nobody laborS unless somebody else owning
capital ihdaees him 10 labor. This assumed, il
Is next considered whether Il is best that upItal
shall induce them to work By their own consent,
or drive them 20 Il without their consent Hay.
ing proceeded 50 az, Il Is naturally concluded
that all labofers are either hired labofera, q
what we call slaves; and further, tis assumed
that whoever i once hired lAhoraf = hxed ID
that condition for life. - ~. ~,
Nov, there mo such relation bes6seh espikl
and labor, as assumed, nor ID there any aa1h
thing as ltee man being fixed for lie N he
condition Of . hired laborpr. Both these ~
sumptions are false, and al inisfencss from theuf
are groundless Labor is prior 70 and indepeh.
dent Of capital. Capital & only The fruits q
labor, and never could have existed 7 hbor hAd
not first existed
Labor Is the superior Of capital, and deserves
much the higher consideration. Capital has -
rights, which are as worthy o. protection q dl1
other rights, nor Is Il denied that there 4 md
probably win always Be, certain relation ~
tween labor and capital producing mutual beneal,
The error Is in assuming that the whole labor Of
community exists within that relation, A
large majority belongs TO neither eliss--neither
work for others nor have others working Or
them. In most 0f the southern States majority
Of the people Of al cOlors are neither slaves nor
masters; while IN the northern States large
majority are neither hired nor do they hlTos
Men with their families. wives and sons and
daughters, work forthemselVe1, on Their laTma N
their houses and in their shops taking The uhnlo
product to themselves, and asking no hvora 81
capital on the one hand. nor Of hired labOfer1 q
slaves on the other. u Is not forgotten that :
considerable number Of persons nllngle their
own labor with capital; that iA they labor with
their own hands and also buy, or hiro othor %
labor lor them But this & only . mixed and
not distinct class Noprnciple stated 3 dis
tuFbed by the existence Of this mental class
Aguin, as has already been said, thereis uol ~
cessarily any such thing As the free hired aborer
being fixed in that condition for life Many now
independent 10 these States, few years back N
their lives, were hired Aborers. The most plu-
dent penniless beginner in the world laborn iw
wages, while he saves surplus with Nhich "
buy tools or lands for himself; be then labon on
bis own account, and q lengsh hiTes another
new beginner 70 help him This i the jo1l and
generous and prosperous system which assur11
the way 70 all gives hope % al, and The consef
auent energy, progress and improvement 81 thg
condition Of ALL ABRAHAM hINcoLNs
Washington, Dec. Sd.
sUalloo there how DO Won sen WOOD