The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-09-08
LABOR AND. CAPITAL.

going on between labor anu capital
Not between the farmer and his hired
hand, nor the mechanic and his jour
neynlan, but between aggregated
money interests and the interests of
the producer. We do not propose to
take the part of either, for each depends
upon the other, for support. Our design
is to point out, as near as possible, the
evil influences which are at work to
destroy the harmony which should
exist between those two constituent
elements of national greatness. To
preserve this harmony it is necessary
that legislative power should not be
hostile to either Both should be
protected in their legitimate spheres.
If either is to be favored, such favor
should be shown to the producer, for
upon him devolves the duty of pro-
viding for the physical wants of man,
which are the most urgent and neces-
sary. We are now referring to Re-
publican Governments, such as is
claimed to exist in the United States.
In monarchical and despotic govern
ments money is acknowledged to be
the ruling power. But in Republics
the reverse is true The ancient prov
erb, labor onni ciaeet, is fully re-
allied as the rule of faith by every be-
lever in Republican institutions. H
How is it with the party which
now has control Of the reins of gov
ernments The interests of labor are
ignored and capital alone is consulted.
But one power is acknowledged by the
Republican party. that is the power
of money. Money dictates legisla,
ton m the national Congress and con-
trolls the dispensing of Federal
patronage Money is the power
which is brought into requisition 20
control elections and the manner of
its use is often criminal and debasing.
Insidiously the money power is slowly
but certainly usurping the exclusive
control of every Department of the
government and threatening the dis
truction of every yestige of Republi-
eanism remaining in the hearts of the
people. The power and majesty OLA
Dor as acknowledged by statesmen
IN purer times are now secuted by the
charlatans and demagogues who sit in
high places Radical newspapers in
commencing Grants administration
can sound no note of praise SO high as
that the President Is financial sue
cess. As regards his own private
fortune there is no doubt of Grants
financial success, and the same may
be said of George L. Woods, late
Governor of Oregon, but the means
to which they have resorted to amass
wealth viii not bear weighing in the
balance with honor and official recti-
-tJnde-fs ysassI ez 4 lSss
Is it not time for the people to re-
fleet upon the drift of national affairs
and arrest the current of corruption
which is stalking abroad? Would
itnot be well for honest Republicans
TO take their bearing, and not be led
by blind prejudice into the vortex
of national death which lies so Ger
tainly IN the path of the party to which
they now yield their support2 Many
are beginning to act as becomes mer
who hold country IN higher consid
Grafton than party and are joining tbs
ranks of the Democracy from whom
alone is deliyerance to be expected
Others are disgusted with the corrup
ton of the party which is now direct
ing national affairs but they fear th'
SCOTS of their late associates and stand
out alone IN the character sof mer'
negative friends of the right. To al
such we would say 1aswhy stand "
idle.n Is not the Democratic part.
flaboring to accomplish the ver.
thing which you say is necessary u
save this Government from becoming
an engine of oppression IN the hand
ofa mercenary few for the enslave
ment of the 1aboring many The
why hesitate as to the course to pul
sue ? Why stand on the battlement
without shield or buckler, a targe
for the shafts of the enemy7 VIII
not act as become freemen- z -
sUnawed BY influence and unbribed by gain.
As sure as this government is prt
served and transmitted to posterity
as certain as liberty is a blessing, an
true as the world is not given over t
the influence of the devil, you mus
come to this at last. Ambitious den
agogues may talk of q new party
they may discourse upon the chance
of dislodging the vampires who al
zugging at The arteries of the natio
in some other way and by some othe
combination, butt their theories ar
wild and their Purposes dishones'
Thers is but one power able to tax
the bull of corruption by the horn
and relieve the struggling millions Z