The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-26
CAPITAL AND LABOR


ln coming our exchanges, W. Are
very often led into the peru>al of very
silly ana very superficial articles upon
that much mooted but meagerly under
stood question the relations ofcapital
o. labor. Editors are imbucl with
exclusive IVY select ideas, ambitions
and tastes acquired only n thc profes-
siCEal avooationS, but more especially
In the sanctum. Nineteenth, Of those
who essay The quill, either IL 4 rcpor-
torial or editorial capacity, are induced
10 do ~ not 40 much because of any APP
parent fitness they may possess for such
occupation, but because The sluctum.
i'm the fledgeling's illusory Imagination,
offers less labor ana more cash than
mechanical Or commercial employment
with the day-dreamcr's comfort a. an
ultmatum. Ease,plenty ana laurcls."
These expectations are, however, but
transitory, though their gem, nc desire,
never departs, and some Crrsus ofspec-
Mating Or commercial circles, il ever
The idol IF editorial homage The mil
honaire, whose house and lands and
millions are enduring attestations Of
bis subtlety and cunning, rather than
prudence, frugaity or economy, is new
er lost sight Of by the reporter. Ills
every action is noted, and every phrase
that drops from bis lips is eagerly ap-
propriated by these doughty knights
Of quill-driven propenslties, and plrad-
Cd az ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of success in
life.
II perchance, a Vanderbilt BY a
trick IF trade" that would subject a
less wealthy, and consequently less
worthy Spectator, to the -crutiny of
the law, adds million Or two to his
already vast accumulations, the action
Is Landed TO the skies he encounters
nought, save admiration or alteration,
while the poor swindled parties are Be-
rated as unworthy the name Of Iusi-
ness men. The standard Of modern
commercial morality merits universal
execratiou, but instead ELECTS only plau-
dts from the host of sycophantic
wOrshipers Of wealth, no matter how
obtained. Wealth softens judicial aus
terity, vitiates or rather annihilates the
caustic properties of the editorial quill
smoOthens the pathway to canonical
favor, and is omnipotent in these DAYS
Of moral degeneracy. Wealth dictates
our laws with an eye only to its own
emolument, imposes governmental
taxes, and enjoys immunity from its
share Of them, and enforces such a So
luton e ali political problems as &C.
cords most proftably with its well be-
ing. Hence, we find labor the mere
creature Of wealth-the parent the |
tool Of the child, the creator the ser
want of the created Hence, we find
vast number of she sons Of industry.
who by natures fundamental teachings
should know better, oringing in abieet
fear at the feet Of the money power,
beseeching for the crumbs, instead Of
as they should be, battling for their
Own-the Loaf.
surely no argument Is requisite to
prove that he who works only should
enjoy the fruits of his labor, nor vet
can other evidence than that furnished
BY Poor-house and wages statistics be
necessary to convince that those who
SOW most now reap the least. We have
in our minds eye a particula. one III
the many lame attempts Of conservative
and would'be arbnrating pens to quiet.
ly reconcile labor differences. which
in the Maine F,tracr. An
such articles are lame, because thew
take the always specious, superficial
view Of the question but the pariicu-