The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-22
FRIDAY EVENING, DEC. %, 1871.
WE are pleased to find that Congress is

WE are pleased to find that Congress is
initiating legislation to secure thorough
inquiry into the great question that agitates
the popular mind-the relation which capi-
tai bears to labor.
So long as this question is allowed to re-
main stalking-horse for discomfort, and
catch-word for cheap popularity, it will be
misrepresented, and consequently misun-
derstood by the ignorant, even if well in
tentioned man, whose possessions are
small as compared with the possessions of
others who are his fellow-citzens.
1t is therefore necessary for the well be-
u Of the country, that the investigation
all discussion of this momentous question
should he thorough and practical, conduct
ed by men such as Mr.. IIoar, who possess
the elements Of Republican craftsmanship,
and whose conclusions, when given to the
country, will command respect.
We are fully convinced of the truth-that
nothing human is perfect-and therefore
do not imagine that investigation will show
our labor system, in its relation to capital,
is without grave imperfections, some of
which may probably come legitimately I'M
der the purview of Congressional legisla-
ton; but we are ready to assert, that when
comparison is made between the condition
of our operative class and their fellow-work-
men in Europe. the remarks of Mr.. Bing-
ham Tin Congress, Dec. 20) on the subject,
will be justified in all their breadth and spi-
rit.
Mr. Bingham said that among intelligent
Americans no information was needed, but he
thought well Of the inquiry, to allay the discon-
tent OF those who had come to our shores from
foreign countries. He said that the laborng men,
who had developed the resources of the country,
and been the architects of their own fortunes,
would laugh at the puny efforts to prove that
American legislation oppressed labor, and argued
that from the first legislation aboshing the law
of primogeniture to the present day legislation
in this country had been in the interest of the
laborer. Let the investigation be made, and it
would show to these foreigners that here for the
first time, by the direct intervention of law, q
fair days wages had been secured for a fair days
work. Inquiries to the social relations of labor
would show that the only nobility in American
is that which springs from the honest toll of
brain or heart or hand. Let it be shown that
America having broken the shackles of slavery
had secured the rights of every person by the
combined power of all.
/ The American laborer to-day occupies a
position of social opportunity and political
power which is the envy of his fellows in
European countries; and he has shown,
through the years which have elapsed since
the formation Of our free government. that
he has intelligence to embrace his social
opportunities and exercise his political
o,,J {Lo@ h. A.,
ton nor guidance from visionary or vicious
enthusiasts, be they foreigner or native
masculine women or feminine men.
The exhibition--a la COmmune-
was made in New York the other day, is a
fair index Of the character of any movement
under the auspices of these would-be re-
formers.
The Woodruff and the Clailin, in car
riages, waving red flags! Are these the
stuff that leaders of American workmen
are made of?
The Red Flag! They want no flag as a
banner to march under, than the glorious
old Stars and Stripes, which so many of
them have sustained VIGOROUSLY against
its enemies, and in unfolding which, so
many Of their brave fellows poured out
their life blood.
The motto-''Our religion is to do good''
they have shown too often, that they dc
good as duty, not as a religion, but in
accordance with the teachings of religion,
instilled into their minds by pious, God-fear-
ing mothers. The other motto-"And they
had all things in common old cry
which rang the tocsin of murder, debauch,
destruction in Paris, and every other place
where the dreadful delusion has found
mad believers.
Do American citizens, who are intelligent
and honest as our laborers are, think what
is the true import of these apparently
harmless words +? .
"To do good is our religion"--was the
DEVILS whisper which led to dedication of a
prostitute as the Goddess of Reason" and
under the malgn influence of the spirit
which caused her dedication, the fires of
hell blazed upon earth.
And how aptly the saying-that "the
devil can quote scripture"-is illustrated
in the text motto-''and they had all things
in common"
We have written record-and the record
is true, that the devil quoted scripture,
correctly and plausibly, to One who was
proof against temptation and deception and
His reply-"Get thee behind me Satan
will be the sober, earnest utterances of
every true American workman, when such
texts of scripture are blazoned on the BAN
ners of those who believe all revealed re-
ligion is a cunning lie, and the Bible a
hooking fable.
Sweep these mischiyous meddlers back
into their insignifcance, and come to your
legislative halls for the redress of your
grievances, if any are found to exist which
legislation can remove; and if that does not
avail, appeal to the grand tribunal of popu-
lar opinion, and opposition to your just de-
mand will be scattered as chaG before the
wind.
We hail the steps being taken in Con-
gress in inviting full discussion as timely
and uytSa halsa,,s.x.. 90 II