The Portland daily press., 1874-10-26
Home Industries.

Home Industries.
The philanthropist and the political econ
omist find no problem submitted to their con-
sideration so difficult of solution, as the one
of deciding what shall be done for those who
are willing to work and anxious to work and
yet unable to find opportunities. Were
this question presented to the notice of capi-
talists it would seem that there need be no
difficulty on their part in giving satisfactory
answer, for with them alone rests the power
Of bringing about proper relations between
labor and capital, and upon them falls the re-
sponsibllity either of attempting or execut-
ing proper adjustment of such mutual de-
Tendencies. Between two such vigorous
athletes possessing large capacities for accom-
plishment, there should be not only 10 strife
but absolute harmony of condition and con-
nection; they are brethren, of the same
mother, and instead of doubtful movements
that threaten antagonism they should go
arm in arm on their march across the globe,
giving and receiving blessings on every side.
The most intricate and important questions
of the time are those which involve the un-
not altogether pleasant to notice that thus
far in the preliminary discussions the capital
ist inclines to stand with closed lips. The
essons with which the last century concluded
its course of instruction ought not to be lost;
the lurid glare which lighted up the political
armament on the continent has hardly faded
from sight and the rockings of that popular
ments and institutions have not yet subsided.
In the endeavor to adjust and reconcile all
apparent or real differences between these
separated kinsmen, the wise man and the
simple man may alike enlist.
Whenever and wherever attempts have
been made TO unite labor and capital, they
have been based upon and resulted in the
adoption of the congregate system. Large
expenditures of money have constructed
large buildings filled with machinery, and
large numbers of persons have been required
that through their agency profitable returns
might be secured. Frequently rural districts
have been almost depopulated, in order that
some not far distant hive of industry might
swarm with its busy occupants. The strong
setting of the current of population from the
country to the town, we regard as one of the
alarming tendencies of the times If great
cities are great evils SO are great manufactur-
ing towns, and especially when we reflect
that they are not absolutely new and original
creations, but built up at the expense of the
surrounding localities -alluvial deposits as it
were from tie denuded slopes and swells
around. Far better would it be could some
prevailing power resolve this productive force
into its original elements, and distribute it
far and near over the broad country so that
the busy hum of labor from every household
would salute the ear as continuously and per-
vasively as does the droning of the cicada on
an autumn dly.
Hundreds and thousands of or New En-
gland people have reluctantly left their homes
and are now scattered across the prairies to
the'Pacific, who are longing for their native
hills and gladly would return, could they,
under the old roof, pursue some productive
industry and obtain thus the subsistence
r which their unwilling fields refused any Ion
ger to yield. The depressed condition of
agriculture, the consequent desertion of old
homesteads, and kindred topics, are upon
every tongue and while on all sides the air is
filled with suggestions and advice, nothing
practical is attempted and no remedies are
applied.
Could an industrial congress be convoked,
embracing the combined wisdom of the sci
enlist, the inventor and the practical man,
no subject would be worthier their attention
than that of devising diversified forms of in
dustry which could be pursued by the unem-
ployed inmates Of every family at their own
fireside. Something for old and young, for
the infirm and the invalid, the ignorant and
unskillea, no matter how humble in its de-
tails or how Insignificant in its returns. The
final results of some such well digested sys-
TENS of labor might change the individual
character of nation, and be permanently
stamped upon the commerce and civilization
even of the age.
We refrain from specific suggestions on
this topic, as nothing should be offered to
the public involving new plans or new depar-
lures that has not been thoroughly matured.
1t is sufficient to say chat from the everyday
life of the Swiss and German peasant we can
proftab:y take a first lesson in the way of
suggestion.
We admire the story of the chivarous
knights, as it comes down the centuries n
chronicle or song, who sailed forth on their
errands of mercy ever ready to put lance in
rest to protect innocence and misfortune or
avenge the wrongs already suffered. Is not
that nobler knight-errantry which is reserv-
ed for him of to-day, who, unheraded and
without sound of trumpet devotes his life to
increasing the happiness of myriad homes
and thus receives the record of one who loves
his fellow nen?