The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-17
he Interests OF the LabOrors
OF the Land.


How is it that Democratic, not simply the
kdegs Of the Democracy, but laboung men
Hing themselves Democrats, are SO hostile
the loyal laborers of the South, and 90
cndly to the aristecratic traitors who be.
me rich by swindling the laborers out of
cir earnings.
cannot be possible that laboring men Of the
orth are so stupid as to be deluded with
Z idea that it is to their interest to keep the
boring men of the South in personal Of po-
ical subjection to the rich men Of that re-
on. 1t was because labor was 80 degraded
the slavery of the laborers that it sunk
to disgrace in the South, and leading Dem
ests Of that region were unable 70 restrain
leir expressions of contempt and disgust In
hch phrases as Northern mudsills," and
greasy mechanics
Now, release the laborer of the South from
ondage, concede to him political rights, and
bake the rebel aristocrats of the South de-
endent on his vote fer q seat iu the Legisla-
pre- or in Congress, and be viii no longer
Feat the laborer, North or South, with such
aughty contempt.
The laborer has enough to contend with
md struggle against, at the best, and it is
imply inhuman to increase his burdens be-
ause he is black, and less Intelligent than the
Hhite man. Give him freedom and the right
o the fruits of his own labor and the control
bf his own family, and you elevate his condi-
bon. He thereby becomes free American
bitizen, entitled to labor for himself; but
1ithout political rights he is utterly depend
lpt upon the aristocracy Of capitalists who
)sgislate for their own interests and against
khe interests Of labor, when they are entirely
independent of laborers for their position as
Legislators.
VII" .S .., =. that Great Britain is not as de-
|sirable home for laboring men as the United
States? Is il not eyiag, ia pat., a. isast, to
the fact that the laboring men of Great Brit
Gin have no voice in the Government of the
country that three-fourths of the population
are debarred from the right of suffrage. and
that the legislators are dependent on capital,
and not on labor, for their position?
Exclude the laboring population, or the
great majority of it, constituted of the colored
population of the South, from the ballot, and
the aristocracy there will legislste against
labor and in behalf of capital, in all the States
Of the South, and the South will send to Con-
gress to legislate for the country at large, the
same class of men. Is it not clear, then, to
the dullest apprehension, that the rights and
interests Of labor and of laborers must suffer
by depriving the mass Of the laboring popula-
ton of the South of political rights?
Think of it. By the Constitution of the
United States free persons, of whatever color,
count equally in afixing the apportionment
of representation in Congress. One-half. say,
Of these freemeu are not allowed to cast the
vote allotted to their State, but it is cast for
them by the other half, and as a consequence,
the member of Congress owes his election to
the influence of the aristocracy, and not to
that of the laboring men, who had no voice in
the matter. His interests and his sympathies
will be with the capitalists and against the
laborers; and hence we may expect to hear
him stigmatize lsborers as mudsills y. and
"greasy mechanics" and to treat theft inter
ests in matters of legislation with the same
contempt that he treats them in his converse
ton.
If there be any antagonism between capita
and labor. it is inevitable that it should b.
developed, and be exhibited In behalf of cap
ital under such circumstances ~ these. Bu
now, If, on the other hand, these laborint
men cast their own ballots, the representa-
tive being dependent upon the laboring mer
for his position, must legislate to promote
their interests, and will not dare to speak o
laborers anywhere in terms Of contempt, de
rision and hatred.
But while the aristocacy Of the Soutl
might be controlled in some degree in tn
halls of Congress, SO far as national legisla
ton is concerned, il would control the Stats
Legislatures of the South entirely. The azis
tecracy Of the South will lcgislats IN tAoss
States for their own interests as capitalists
and against labor and As the colored popu
lation constitute the majority Of the lAborers
what is regarded as good enough tor them BY
the late slaveholders, white laborers win have
TO submit 70, - they constitute but an insig-
ni6cant minosity. With such class.legislation
in the intsreats Of aristocracy and capital per.
vading n ~ Southern States, and perme
ating Congren5 the interests Of the laborint
masses mus& oventually suffer, - they hav,
Suffered and d suffer in the hands Of th,
azis>oczaey il Ensland.
4 Ths rems1f, Or rather the preventive fol
this sla&s II things, is simple oct Of justic'
--&hs rn1lDe the ballot in the hands Of th'
laboeirS u he South. They win vot'
u ~ M - Of labor; they viii protect tn
lahor - fron The encroachmsnts o
~ md By their votes and tAei
i.lusnS win keep the South open 4
euufc1ul - he North and from Esrspe
an11 esdom Of speech and freedom
D - ~ lenisd ~ ballo4, - Oh
Glp1 - asstsesacy viii sssuuseIvess