The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1867-06-13
LAROR AVID CAPITAL.

prominently directed 10 the old subject
Of Tho rslslivs duties end obligations Of
labor and capital, or moro properly
speaking, Of The two classes who repro
Senrthsm. We notice that some Of Oel
exchanges are discussing this complical
ted question in q manner that would
have been creditablo to old Adam Smith
bim'slf. who is generally regarded %
the pater tamiIias Of the great science d
political economy. But what do pll
their 6ue.Spun theories amount 10 iul B
practical point ofview? Simply nOthiAh
at oil. While discussions gro going u;
while history Is being rauSaeked for u
poSitO illustrations for some now reyelaE-
ton; while men are drawing upon lhdE
logical bcumsn and dOducing conclusion
from premises vuinly imagined TO be III
pregnabls; while ell this is being dom,
the great problem remains unsolgsd ell
the amOliOraliOn Of the poor mans COZ
diliOn Ure moi, by these means, Sdl
vancSd uny further than before. Aft
sif, good commonN sense is lhesbest coE19
rectivo Of public evil. There are aOms
things connected with human progress
which ignore all speculative influence,
and carve out a path for themselves
through plain utilitarianism. They are
even independent Of munioipal laws. The
State may declare eight hours legSl
days work, but It will thereby put no
mysterious force and energy in mans
character; it will not make him more
frugal in outstanding bis earninga; it
will not lead him to prOclice economy,
The man who starts out in life with the
predominant purpose Of becoming
wealthy, aud who has the requisite
amount Of energy to back up his deter
minaLion. is bound 10 be successful in
his undertaking. Human laws, made
for the purpose Of helping him alosg,
will neither do him much good or any
harm, He is always sure of work be.
cause there is alWayH work 10 be done.
He knows that riches are not gained by
labor always being largely remuneratej,
but by saving what he makes, by cir
CumsCribing bis expenditures to his ne.
cesSary wants. A fair days work ought
10 command fair price, and asa general
thing i, will do this. It is not just that
an individual should demand more than
fair equivalent for bis labor, for 10 that
event he would be infringing on the
rights Of the employer; the great object
is to maintain q just proportion, for both
closes ore mutually dependent on each
other.
The moral education OF the masses 10
the best lesson Of political economy
Making eight hours legal days labor.
will not reclaim the drunkurd, but moral
education may do it, and when it is
done, you give him better lesson OF
political economy than was ever taught
in the schools. You start him on the
road to nfflueucs by inducing him TO
undo his past life iu his future devOl-
opmeut. Here is the great secret Of
progress. Get clearer and more com.
prehenSive idea Of men and thingS--riSe
up 10 a tone Of sentiment uncoutamina-
ted by sectional bigotry, pride or preju.i
dice-aud you will 6ud public and pri.
vate progress steadily increasing, march.
ing onward with steady step, more
glorious and bright than an "army with
banners" Our country is broad and
generous, Labor has made her What
she is and will make her power unsur'
passed and uuaPproachablc. The words
oil Longfollow are very beautiful. and
as true as they are beautiful, when be
says:
"Let us then be up and doing.
With heart for every fate;
Still upclimbing, still. pursuing,