The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-06

above labor in the structure Of government.
il is assumed that labor is available only in
connection with capital, that nobody labors
unless somebody else owning capital some
how, bv the use of it, induces him to lahor.-
This assumed, it is next considered whether Ii
is best for capital, that shall hire laborers
and thus induce them to work by their own
consent. or buy them and drive them TO II
without their consent. Having proceeded so
far. it is naturally concluded, that all labor
ers are either hired laborers or what We call
slaves, and further It is assumed that whoev-
er is once d hired laborer is fixed IN that con-
dition for life. Now there is no such leila
ton between capital and labor as assumed,
nor is there any such thing as free man be-
ing fixed for life in the condition of hired
laborcr Both Of these assumptions are false,
and all differences from them are groundie>s.
Labor is prior to and Independent 0. capital
Capital is onv the fruit of labor, and could
never have existed if labor had rot first eX-
isted Labor is the superior of capital. ard
deserves much the higher consideration.
! Capital has It's rights, which are as worthy G;
protection as any other rights. Nor Is 1t de
MED that there is, and probably always will
be. relation between labor anu capital pro-
ducing mutual benefits. The error is in as
suming that the whole labor of the conmuni-
ty exists within that relation. y few men
own capital. and that few avoid labor them
selves, and with their capital hire or buy an
other few to labor for them. And large
majority belong to neither class,-nelther
work for others, Tor have others working tor
thenl In most Of the southern states ID ma
iori;y of the whole people, OF all co!orS. are
reither slaves nor masters. While IN the
northern, large majority are neither hlrers
nor hired Men with their families, wives,
sons and daughters, work for themselves on
their farms, in their shops, taking the whole
product to themselves and asking 10 tavors
of capital on the one hand. nor of hired la
borers cr slaves on the other. 1t is not for
gotten that a considerable number of persons
mingie their own labor with capital. that IS
they labor with their own hands and also buy
or hire others to labor for them. But this is
only mixed and not distinct class. Nc
principle stated is disturbed by the existence
of this mixed class.
Again, as has already been said, there i,
not OF necessity any such thing as the free
nire,i !aborer being fixed in that condition
for lie. Many independent men everywhere
in these states, few Years back in then
lives. were hired laborers. The prudent,
penniless bcginner in the world, labors for
awhile, saves surplus with which to buy
tools or land for himself, then labors on his
own account another while, and at length
/ hires another Lew beginner to help him.
This is the just, and generous, and pros
: porous system, which opens the way TO all
: gives hope to all and consequent energy
and progress, and Improvement of the con-
tition to all 10 men living are more worthy
to be trusted than those who toll upward
from poverty; none less inclined to take oil
touch ought which they have not honestly
earned. Let item beware Of surrenderl: Z I
: political power. which they already possess
2 and which. if surrendered. will surely bs
used TO close the duoroi advancement against
: >uCh IL they, ana 20 fix new disabilities anC
burdens upon them. till all Of liberty SHALL bs
: lost.
GLIMPSE INTO TIE FUTURE.
:. From the first taking of cur national cen
J. >lS to the last are seventy years. and we tire
r oar population at the end of the period eight
L times great Is it was at the beginning
l. The increase Of those other things which
Z men deem desirable, has been even greater
e We thus have AT one view. what the popula
5 principle applied to government. through tn
e machinery OF the states and the Union, ha
e. produced in Il given time, and also what
t firmly maintained it promises for the future
4 There are already among Us those who. if III
= Union be preserved, Will live 10 scc it con
= tain 2.5o,Uoooo0 people. The struggle c
J. to-day is not altogether for to-day. 1t is 70
o 4 vast future also
= With firm reliance in Providence all tn
If more finn and earnest. let US proceed in tn
= great task which events have dcvolycd upo