The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-10
Guenins State 9ournal.
WEDNESDAY EvEN'G. MAY 10. 1871.
Speech OF Gov. Genry, OF Pennsylva-
mia, Delivered Before the Working
xuax.sa Gounefl

There should be no conflict between la
Dor and capital, and If wise counsels pre-
vail they will go hand 10 hand.
have always looked upon labor anC
capital as twin sisters, or, perhaps, to il
lustrate my meaning more strongly, as thu
Siamese twins, connected together with q
cord, the severing of which might be fatal
or greatly injurious to both. Without la
Dor capital would be comparatively useless
without capital labor would fail to be re-
munerative, and public and private enter
prise would cease Neither can, therefore,
encroach upon or wrong the other with
impunity. l am friend of that protec-
ton to American labor which has brought
this country to its highest condition Of
prosperity and when the nation extends
Its protective and fostering policy over the
productive and manufacturing interests
the capitalist and transporter should not
be permitted to apply all the advantages
to themselves, but should willingly afford
a fair and proper share to him by the
sweat of whose brow and by whose mind
and muscle the profitable manipulation
has been accomplished.
When capitalists learn to forget their
narrow instinct, and generously share their
profits with labor, they will justly re-
ceive the love and the respect OF the peo-
pie. Such a policy, doubt not, will re-
ceive speedy realization. saistp ate
Labor cannot aud will not quietly sub
NIT to Procrustean cuttings or stretchings
to fit any bed that the cupidity of capital
may prepare for it, unless equal and ex-
act justice" be squarely and fairly melted
out. It will not submit to. be driven out
by the "heathen Chinee," or by any other
half-priced barbarian the operator, trans
porter or capitalist may threaten to import
for the purpose of occupying the places
of our men, Who are these workingmen
answer, many of them have been the
heroic defenders of the country, to whose
gallant deeds the nation owes its very ex-
istence, and the capitalists their almost
countless and still accumulating millions.
The battle is between the people and the
monopolists. and all public men must soon
choose whom they will serve. For my
own part, am ready, as far as the law
will permit me to 60, to aid the working
man to the realization of all his just de
mands. And whenever the representa-
tives of the people pass bills calculated
still further to enlarge these benefits, am
ready, while in authority, to approve
them. ls
But whatever may happen, let it be
fully understood, that under no circum-
stances can the law of this land be violated
with impunity. That which would not
permit in corporation seeking to Cypress
loh nr I darn Ia Al
law, encourage in an association, drawn
together for mutual benefit, when in pur-
suit of that object it seeks to interfere with
the personal rights of other citizens.
While one set Of men are legally entitled
to obtain as much for their labor as they
can command, they have no right to coerce
other men to adhere to the same rate of
wages. The first may refuse to work with
the last, but they have not the moral or
the legal right to interfere with the labor
of those with whom they work as to
wages. 1t is my duty to make this point
perfectly plain. Whenever combination
Of men. seeking an object, violently inter-
fere with other men who are pursuing
their industry for suchswages as they are
willing to take, the act is a conspiracy
amounting to crime against law and order,
and law and order must be maintained at
all hazards.
This is stern talk, my friends, but as it
is not my habit to deceive those with whom
l am called to deliberate, do net propose
to deceive you by false aud specious advice
speak thus emphatically plain that we
may perfectly understand each other, and
you may be guided in the right. do not
come here tonight to dissuade you from
doing your duty to yourselves, but to eu-
courage you in this right. You are TOO !
intelligent and have too much manly firm
ness for any man thus to attempt to lead
you but you can appreciate the truth
when you reflect that your government is
one of law, and obedience to the law is
essential to the success of the government.
Without government, labor and capital
would both be in eternal antagonism, with
out hope of ever coming to terms. But
with government respected and the laws
obeyed, both these elements are secured in
their rights. never want to see the day
when any portion of the American people
have become SO wrong in their views, and
80 desperate in their character as to oppose
legal and official authority. / have seen
enough of this already, and know what it
costs to punish those who make such at
tempts. May God deliver this nation
from ever again being forced into civ !
war
Thanks to the trainers of our laws, you
have remedy at the ballot-box, for what
ever wrongs or expressions you may suf-
fer. The elective franchise was given to
meet precisely such cases as yours. You
have votes, aud must cast them for your
own benefit. If you want representation,
learn whom to trust, and when you know
a man to be faithless to your interest, or
you are certain he is unworthy of you
confidence, don't vote for him. The calm
and intelligent use of the ballot is infinite
ly more mighty as a revolutionizer in the
interests of labor than riot and bloodshed.
We are only just entering on the period #
true appreciation Of the elective fran
chise, and you have yet to learn fully what
can be effected by its use; while those who
supposed themselves intrenched behind
special legislation will, sooner or later,
realize that there is no hiding place in the
country in which wrong and injustice can
escape the castigation of the ballot Free
government would fail to be impartial if
80 AZ. nl,t l,.l