The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-04
THE LABOR QUESTION.
President Johnson's Speech.


The Committee appointed by the National
Labor Congress to present copy of their reso-
lutions, called upon the President on the 25th
ult In reply to the remarks of the Chairman
of the Committee, the President said:
81 am very much obliged to you and the
Committee for bringing before the proceed
ings of your Convention. l am gratifed that
you have thus shown your respect and defer
ence to me. | shall not attempt to make a
speech but merely make few remarks in con-
versational manner [ simply refer you to my
past action which is recorded, for an exposition
of what my principles and views are now on this
subject
In the matter of convict labor I am somewhat
familiar. L am against it not only tending to
disgrace labor, but makes an unjust discrimna-
ton. L might claim priority in the matter of
my interest in convict labor with yourselves
My experience since 1914 confirms me 10 my
convictions on this subject [ am opposed to
the present system on account of its degrading
and discriminating influences.
like to see labor elevated, for everything in
this country depends on labor. think labor
ought to be elevated and respected. In fact,
the laboring men ought not alone to participate
in the government, but, in my opinion, ought to
control it, because all rests upon them in this
L
am from early life an advocate of the elevation
In 1916 introduced resolution in refer
encc to the tenhours' law into Congress, and
followed it up to 1851, when it finally passed
the House of Representatives. Notwthstand-
ing 1t was subjected to the taunts and jeers of
many in that House at the time, it finally passed
the House. 1t went to the Senate and was lost
Afterwards was transferred from the House
to the Senate, and took it up aud passed it
through there, when it was vetoed by Buchanan
My whole history shows that am against
monopoly in the public lands. 1t leads to the
accumulation of the land in the hands of few,
who sell it out again at high prices to settlers.
1t would, In fact, increase the revenues of the
Government if every man had domicil on these
lands for his wife and children.
just in that connection would say that this
is very Important time now to speak of indie
Pendence. There are people, a large mass in
TINS country at present, who require emancipa-
ton. There are many bonds that require to be
broken IN this country yet. You cannot be
more eager than l am to improve the connec-
ton of sale of the public lands. 1 have given
recent evidence; witness my vetoes of the Mon
tana bill.
l have always been in favor of all laws that
tended to advance the interests and alleviate
the condition of the laborine man. an glad
to see the country working itself up to an anne
Iteration Of his condition The iaborino mon
ought to come forward and assert and maintain
their position. The working men constitute
the true ar1stocracy of this country, and it is
they and they alone, that should constitute the
arlstocracy. like to see an aristocracy, but it
is an aristocracy of labor 4
am for shortening the hours of labor to the
least number of hours possible, consistent with
the interests of all, and you may rely on nv in.
Huence when the opportunity arrives for me to
cas-: 1t In your behalf. You have nv symna-
thies and my best feelings 10 your cause, and I
hope you will accomplish the objects you have
In view. My acts in the past must determine
my position with reference to your interests in
the future. thank you, gentlemen, for the
compliment you have paid me in coming here.