The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-14

WORkINGMEN's TROuBLEs.-Some of the
Northern States have very fooli=hy undertaken
to interfere with private affairs by passing law
that eight hours shall constitute days work for
mechanics and luborers. Of course, employers
don't like to be bothered in that way, and have
refused to employ workmen who demand much
pay for 8 hours they formerly received for 10
and - hours. The result is as might have been
expected, that many are out of employment,
and have banded together in several Northern
cities to prevent any one from working for those
who do not conform to the eight hour rule.
The Chicago (Ilnois) Post gives tho following
account of workipgman's riot in that city on
the I'd inst
sOn yesterday, according to the most moder-
ate estimate which able to make, one
thousand men were driven from their tasks by
clubs, stones and deadly weapons in the hands of
passionate, fierce. and in many instances. drum
ken rioters. 1t is a no less moderate estimate
that seven thousand others would have been at
work such terms they could have made
with employers, had it not been for threatened
and anticipated mob violence. We suppose that
nine-t enths of these men were at work because
they must work starve. The case of one is
relatrd-which is type of the majority-who
was interfered with by the mob. who was at work
because he had not a cent to keep body and soul
of his wife and children together. The riot thus
appears in the odious light, not merely of al
attack by one class of wurkingmen upon another.
but of one class upon the dependent. bel pless.
and in not few cases. destitute and starving
women and children of urrkingmen Is families
SOUTHERN LANDS Washington Chron-
icls says, very correctly and properly, that:
"Now is a good time for capitalists to invest
money in Southern lands, but still better for
earnest, honest, workingmen to secure bones
for themselves, which will be of great value to
their children. The breaking up Of the old
labor monopoly by The rebellion has not only
thrown the labor of the South into the market,
so that enterprise can have fair chance, but it
has also thrown large amount Of land into the
| market, which under the slave system was
always cheap, and which in the social transition
is even cheaper. There will always be alarmists
| to prophesy ruin in the event of any change
| They have contributed to reduce the value of
| Southern lands, while there are others who must
sell to live We know of no better method to
| help the Southern people than to induce the
settlement amongst them Of men of industry,
good habits, and enlarged ideas. Northern en-
ergy and capital, and Northern respect for
, labor, will revolutionze the South and make its
| desolate places smile again with the products of
| industry. We believe that the time is coming
when peace will be real. and men will feel safe
to emigrate to the South and live there. When
this happens lands will begin to increase in
value, and all the new appliances to save labor
will be brought into play"
| The Chronicle is right in saying that the South
| is the section to invest money in. Amy Northern
man may come among US and be as secure and
well treated as he ever in any State North
| And it would be we'll for the colored people Of
the South to remember that the day is not ia,
distant when white laborers from the North viii
! be their competitors for employment. The fact
is settled, beyond all doubt that the man who
works and promptly fu6Ils his contracts will
| gain employment and substantial living among
US. 1t might we'll be understood now as here
| after, that the black white man who favors
| such wicked schemes a confiscation or proscrip
ton will receive favors from the bushes.
men of the South. The prompting. of human
nature. as we'll Of self-respect. would prevent
a man from employing another who seeking
his ruin aud attempting to secure measures O
confiscation. We are for promoting peace anc
good FEELING. but never expect to voluntarily
submit to in justice and wrong.
| STRUCK WITH PARALYsIs-We are painec
to learn that the senior editor of the Raleiet
Sentinel, Rev VIM. Z Peli, was struck with
paralysis last night. The attack was very
! serious one, but We trust it will not prove fatal
We tender bis immediate family our heartfelt
sympathy in their sfiiction, aud trust that at ar
early hour We shall be able to announce that b.