Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-02-01

The Hon. Alexander q. Caitell, Sena'oi
from New Jersey, in q mastery and power
full argument in favor of the bill now before
Congress 10 protect American labor used
the following noble language in reference 10
the moral, political and social influence
the dignity and manhood of the iaboring
classes of the country
.'Mr. President have already trespassea
too long on the indulgence OF the Senate.
word or two more and l have done. olI,
speak to-day in behalf Of the American
laborer, the hardy sons of toll, the bone ana
sinew Of our nation. II is their cause l
plead, and covet for them the best gllts
which the nation can bestow. LOOK over
this broad land and see the millions 0,
humble yet happy homes of your lnaus'i RAJ
classes, where the fire burns brightly on the
hearth, and where connubial, parental, anu
filial affection reigns.
Amid all that is great and glorious IN our
land single out the fact that our sons Oh
toll are better fed, better clothed, better
lodged, better paid, and better taught thah
those OF any other nation on the face OF inc
earth, and proclaim it as the brightest 1ewei
in our crown of glory.
II is the boast Of England that her cheaper
labor will always enable her TO produce SO
cheaply as to DEFY competition. Under our
| form OF Government the laborer never can
be and never ought to be reduced TO the con-
dition OF those in other lands, who are con
tent to toll on while others think for them
and govern them, without even so much a.
an aspiration for q better condition. Inc
working men of our land make and unmaks
Presidents, Congresses, and Legislatures
and the elevation of the masses socially, IN
tellectually, and morally is necessity
you would perpetuate the institutions oil I'M
Republic
, is there a Senator within the sound OF m!
voice who would reduce the laborer OF GU
country to the level of the pauper labor 9
europe? No, no! There was once class
men in these Halls who might have con
!, scented to this. Under their peculiar inst
tuition" now happily gone forever, laoo
was degraded by chains and letters, and III
Z bold announcement was made that "capits
II should own its own labor. =" They resiste
d unto blood the higher civilization, whic
Il taught the sublime truths of the univers'
!. brotherhood of man, and the right OF
II men to the just rewards of their labor.
The conflict is ended, and, God be pralse'
the right has triumphed; and having I'M
al elevated four million human beings fro
chains and slavery to freedom and TO ma
hood let us address ourselves to the work
a, stimulating the industrial energies of u
nation, so that free labor shall findits WON'T
he employment and receive its just reward.
The bill under consideration, if passe
=. will prove an important agency in this wor
OO 1t speaks of cottons and woolens, of iron al
steel, of wheat and corn, OF linseed and b'
a ley, but these are only other words Tor lahC
and the title of the bill might with proprie
read: IAN act for the encouragement al
he protection of American labor"
in Perfect this bill, and then make it Ia
and hope and courage will spring mp throug
out the nation. The fires OF thousa
op- iorges and mills and furnaces will illumi
ns. the land and the ceaseless hum of mill
whiring spindles will chant the praises
j, ;s the American Congress that had the wisd
- to understand and the fidelity to maint
the principles of the American system