The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-02
FROM MICHIGAN.
The Wages OF Labor.

The Wages of Labor.
FAs Wages Rasd Wovksngmcn IN thas Cosntyy and IN
Europe compayasse Tublcs-Hsgh Dules on ,mpOr
lain o~ Higher wages.
(ooNrrNUsD.)
DsrRolf, Sept. 10, 1859.
To The Editor Of tho WosxmsnAx's Advocate.
BEARING OF WAGES ON TEE QUESTION or Pro
FICTION.
The following 10 correct copy OF the pre-
amble end resolution referred to BY the Foe
ming Post:
The proposition was happily endorsed by
the National Labor Oongress. and the cardi-
nal principal Of protection to American la-
Dor was embraced in the platform and ad-
opted by the representatives Of the working
men Of the nation. On the proofs which
have been sdduced think the correctness
Of the statement as to wages will be admit
ted furthermore feel well assured that the
resolution receives the cordial endorsement
of the workingmen very generally through
out the land. The artisan favors it, for It
is his interest that the work should be done
at home and good wages maintained. The
farmer favors il, for If tae artisans are en-
ployed here, and at good wages, be finds q
ready market for all his productions near
the farm, instead Of shipping his grain to
Europe, losing six bushels in every seven to
pay the cost Of transportation. All our
people, embracing every class, particularly
the workingmen in every field Of labor, in
agriculture, in manufactures and in the me-
cbsnic art, comprising over three-fosrths of
the voting population Of the country, are in
terested alike 10 the question, and it becomes
to them question Of vital importance.
The workingnen Of America begin to see
that protection to American labor BY the i'm
position Of heavy duties on the products Of
the cheaper labor Of foreign countries, 10, in
reality, protection to American wages +; and
they begin to see that this is the only prac
ticsble political measure for securing with
certainty for American workingmen greater
demand for our labor, diversified employ
ments, and higher standard Of wages, and
for maintaining our wages above the mean
which labor receives in the
mon archical and despotic countries of Eur
Ope.
take the ground that American labor
must be protected against the unequal and
unfair competition Of the pauper labor Of
Europe, or our higher wages cannot be per-
maintained. The proposition Is
clear and self evident that l think it must be
patent to the comprehension Of the meanest
The National Labor Con-
gress therefore, in my judgment, have acted
wisely in declaring in the most emphatic
manner for protection to American labor. 1t
il matter Of vital concern to workingmen,
and manifestly for the benefit Of all classes,
for who does not know than when our labor
Is well employed and well rewarded, the
whole country is prosperous, all classes shar-
ing In the general prosperity.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
There are other considerations connected
with this question Of wages that demand our
earnest attention.
It is not only the true policy Of the work.
ngmen of the nation, but sound public pol
cy. that will secure for the United States
real industrial Independence. On Ihis point
the Sptci. Comm ssioner Of the Revenue in
MS last report has presented reasons which
cordially endorse. He SAYS:
an this country every man IN q citizen,
md nearly every citizen voter. As the
oos>essors of power We cannot afford to have
INV class of the people ignorant or socially
degraded. To insure q safe standard Of ed
lcaton and Of domestic comfort there must
Dc q certain scale Of wages, aud these must
Do relatively higher than are paid to the
,ompesing lsborsr Of Europe, to whom power
a not entrusted and education denied.
These degraded laborers constitute the dan
yerous classes there, but no dangerous clas-
,es ough. TO be suffered to exist in America.
" hasrver Discrimination, therefore, may be
necessary to Keep up the wages, the social
sasus, and sne self-rsspeot Of the American
,otsr, il TAX imposed By our political sys-