The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-18
IABOR and CAPITAL.
A Letter from the Hon. w. S. Hene,
THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

TOTHE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
Twas panied to sec my name used, by one of
the speakers at a late meeting OF the workingmen
OF Charleston, as the champion OF class. While
have ever been the friend OF the worEingman and
mechanic it is evidently in bad taste for any par
ticnlar class In O community to array itself
AGAINST all others; and while fully appreciate
the compliment rendered me by my comrades Of
the arts. must feel that am equally indebted TO
many warm friends in almost every class OF our
community for the high honor conferred upon
me, in being selected to represent them in 30 hon.
orable body as our Senate of 1866; and would
further say that Il Is my opinion that any one
who would consider the interest Of but one class
of his community in such place, is unworthy Of
the position to which they had elevated him.
So far as the organization OF our Industrial
classes into societies. for their mutual protection,
benefit and elevation, is concerned, this Is but
right and proper, and eminently move in the
right direction; but when they do this at the ex-
nense OF all other classes, and with a view to
compel q larger support than competition will
warrant then have they lost sight OF the high
aim for which they set out and no movement can
succeed which expects to build up one interest at
the expense Of pulling down another equally en-
titled to support. In my humble judgment this
IA not q time for exciting discOrd between en-
ployers and employees, and If our sensible work
ing men will look the matter rightly In the face,
thew will md that it is not the disposition of
those who are now afrording them place for
earning support to oppress aud grind them; but
that the want OF better support Is to be laid at
the door of our common mislortunes. The Ruler
Of our destinies has tried us In scathing furnace,
and those who are worthy will come out brighter
for the trial; but let no man think he has done
worthy act when, combining to help his fellow
man. he forces another to pay the costs Of his be-
nevolence.
Arlance at the condition OF our community is
sufficient to show that the present suffering Of our
working classes s not the result OF disposition
on the part Of employers to oppress their en-
ployees: for II this was the case then the first
class would be enjoying the luxurics OF wealth,
while the latter would be enduring even severer
trials than what Is now their lot. Can you who
look back to days OF plenty without taxation now
expect to enjoy those halcyon days In the midst
of repeated loss Of crops which have always re-
warded YOU in past years with employment, COM
petence and comfortr Can you expect the same
results with fields stripped by caterpillar and
drought, 1 hear you answer, no Then do not
blame your fellow-man, nor an All-wise Provi-
dence; neither set yourselves up against either,
but, accepting the situation like men, let US all
determine to uphold one another, till Gods bless
ing shall at last reward our endurance and give
us once more plenteous harvests and overruling
the present tyranny, relieve US from these taxa
tions which are grinding our city and State to the
dust.
t. NAV be asked why some are now crying out
under these difficulties l answer, 1t is because
the lessons OF the war have been forgotten, and
that close economy which would make both ENDS
meet Is lost sight Of In the effort to be ike some
OF our neighbors who are more thrifty and pros
porous than ourselves. Let US go back to these
lessons, though they are hard to study, and we
will find that there are very few who have patient
" toiled on that are not better or to-day than
they we're five years ago. Accept the lessons
then, and, instead OF banding together to force
others who are not able to do more for you. unite
in q common brotherhood, determined that by
greater individual exertion and strict economy
you will be more useful to your community and
to each other. AS an evidence OF the correctness
of the last piece of advice, and also as proof
that employers are not enriching themselves at
the expense of the employees, will state, in con-
clusion, that the economy forced on three Of my
employees, by the condition Of business in the
past two years, requiring me to hold back o part
of their pay, was the means, when the improve
ment In business enabled me to meet these en-
fn "a q
purchase of moderate-priced domicils for their
families, while your humble servant still pines for
his ewn vine and fig tree.
Very respectfully, yours,
WILLIAM 8. HENBKRY.