Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-22
slavery and Working Men.

The Boston Pilot, good and ably conduct
ed Catholic newspaper, and diligent rcpor.
ter of Irish news, is also a miserably blind
pro-slayery and democratic partizan Sheet.
The other day, the Pilot, rejoicing that so
many Irishnien constantly vote the democrat
ic ticket, expressed its political views in this
style 1.-The Irish, thank God have too
much self-respect to Ego" for anything that
will place a negro on the same grade in
the labor market with themselves. What
cause for congratulation to the poor
est white man is the reflection that
unlike the inferior negro race, he is at lib
erty to remove whatsoever his inclina-
tions may prompt him." This the first time
we have seen it distinctly stated that the de-
graduation and ensavement of the black race
is indispensable to the self-respect and fire.
dom of Irishmen. The same thing may have
been limited and implied, sometimes, in the
Pilots political talk, but never before so dis
tinctly stated
Some of the democratic politicians propose
to induce the rebels to come back to their old
places in the Union by legalizing slavery in
all the free states, so that New York and
Massachusetts shall become like South Caro-
lima and Virginia. Does the Pilot think this
would be good arrangement for laboring
people, whether Irish or American? Suppose
we establish slavery here in Massachusetts,
and establish markets tor the purchase and
sale of farm hands, teamsterS, wood-cutters,
porters, gardeners, walters, nursery maids,
cooks, maids OF all work, blacksmiths, and for
all kinds of working people who now work for
wages. Would this be satisfactory to the self
respect and independence of Irishmen? viii
the Pilot consider this question and make an
honest reply to it? 1t is high time for such
men as the conductors of that paper to show
working men that slavery is the most deadly
foe to their welfare, that it is a more fatal
curse to the poor white men where it exists
than to the slaves themselves, and that every
attempt to extend the institution is an attack
on the rights and we'll being of white laboring
men. To establish slavery in Massachusetts
OF New York might be convenient to the rich
families that could buy house and farm SER
wants, land sell every year the increase of their
human chattels. But what would it be to the
poor laboring people among us?
And what slavery would be to Massachu-
sctts or any other free state, it has been and
is to Virginia and all the other slave states.
1t robs, dshonors, debases, and crowds out
free white working men. 1t is constantly and
irreconcilably their enemy. Suppose slavery
should be abolished in Virginia. Do not Irish
men see, and, if not, should not the Pilot en-
deavor to make them see, that emancipation
would at once open that large state to the free
white working men, not only of the north,
but of Ireland and Germany also? This eff
feet would be immediate; and the uncul-
tivated lands and vast natural resources
of Virginia would afford room and abundant
occupation OF several million more people
than dwell there now; and Virginia would be-
come one of the most enteprising, wealthy
and powerful states on the continent. The
black population would retire to the gulf
states, should slavery be abolished there
also and after few generations, the re-
manning descendants of the slaves would be
congregated in Central America, on the Span
ish Main, and in the West Indies, with pros
perity and usefulness Of their own. And them
what magnificent and glorious country this
would be And what exhaustless opportuni-
ties it would furnish for working men animal
ted by true self-respect and ambition to Sc
cure competence and honorable indepen-
dence!
White working men have no worse enc
mics in this country than slavery and the pro-
slavery politicians. 1t is true, and it will
remain true, though the Pilot deny it a thou
sand times, that ''if the Irish are not blinded
to their own interests, they will go as body,
all over the land, for universal emancipation"
That is to say, they will 60 for removing
that degrading system of labor, which limits
their opportunities, and constantly assails
their rights, while it SO disastrously OBJ
structs the welfare of the whole country. Its
destruction is necessary to the salvation and
security of the Union itself. 1t is hostile to
every substantial interest of the country,-a
country whose political system, as understood
by its founders, was designed to enobe labor,
and to teach the nations of Europe that work
ing men are more essential to national eleva-
ton, and therefore more to be respected than
iorlly aristocrats.