The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-10-17
GAIL HAMILToN's GLANCE AT
THE LABOR CLASSES

peared an article, from the pen OF Gail
Hamilton, under the caption Of "A Glance
at the Labor Classes, which demands a
reply at the hands of those who sympa-
thlse with that much abused and deeply
wronged class. Gail can write very flip
PANTY on most subjects very sensibly on
q lew, and so outrageously on some others
as to nearly stihe every sentiment Of re-
spect for her in the hearts Of thinking,
observing, lovers of justice and right, to
say nothing Of those feelings of sympathy
and kindn ass, which even heather admit
should animate as when considering ques-
tons relating to. social position and our
treatment Of your fellow-men.
There is no person who affects to turn
up the nose more plainly at old fogyism-
than Gail Hamilton; but If there is a rep
resentatiye Bourbon of the 10Th century
IN existence, Bourbon who has the pre-
else ideas Of that period, with regard r.
the proper social position and rights 81 the
l2boriug classes, that Bourbon is Gail
| Hamilton. She HIS the same supreme
contempt for them as human beings the
same reputation of them As brothers and
sisters
The doctrine Of the dark ages that God
gave wealth to few by special favor; that
the laboring class are dependent on the
rich for livelihood and almost every Ell
! joyment, has been modified within the
past two centuries 1t has been found that
instead Of the laboring classes being sup
ported by the rich, the rich owe their
wealth to the robbery of the laborer
heavy capitalists almost exclusively So.
1t has been seen that labor creates all
value, and the commotion going ON about
capital and labor arises from the fact now
plainly perceived BY the toiler, that al
though he is the creator of all wealth he
has the enjoyment Of but small portion
thereof; and is seeking juster mode of di-
yiding the profits, secured by combina-
ton of capital and labor The result is
agitation, and the utterance Of thoughts
that horrify the shades Of the feudal past,
and Gail advances to the rescue.
After commenting on the vices and fol-
lies of the laborer she winds up with the
expressive word vermn Well, what
does the word "vermin" meant Parasites
live beings that live on other beings, and
are Of no manner Of use to the world them
selves
This was the value placed on the laborer
OF the fifteenth century, when even his
neck was not considered worthy resting
place for the dainty foot of the aristocracy
There are none so blind as those that won
see, but It is difficult to believe that Gail
does not see. that a mighty change has come
over the spirit Of the public dreams on
this all-important question, and that this
change is becoming daily greater and more
marked in its effect. The laborer feels
more senslbly his equality, nay his su-
penority over the monied drone, who
\ spends his time in idleness and luxury.
| He realizes that one Is nuisance and
curse the other benefit nay necessity
| 20 the community.
4 1t is difficult to believe that Gail does
not know that the follies and vices Of the
laborer are not like the fashion Of their
clothes-copied after is called the upper
] classes, and that to a certain extent the
lower classes are what the upper classes
make them. Thank God they are not
nearly 50 selfish and unprinclpled, so much
governed by sensual and greedy passion.
\ The robberles Of the labor classes are al
ways seen, felt, usually detected, and IN
variably punished. The robberies Of the
upper classes are frequently under cover
and protection g law; and when openly
against i, and gross as highway robberies
generally screened from punishment by
money and prostituted influence. To be
sure there are many specious pretenses by
which the robberies Of the upper classes
are justified, but the laborer knows these
pretenses to be false He places the same
value on them as the slave did ON the pre-
lenses by which the clergy and the other
holy robbers Of the slave driving ar istoc-
racy defended slavery. The laborer be-
lieves the precepts Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as myself, and do unto others
as ye would others should do unto you"
are practical-intended for everyday life,
and naaan narfact rociprocitv tha axoh.~..<
Of equivalents, and that man is honest
only when he gives dollar for dollar, labor
for labor, and that he is dishonest when he
takes two dollars for one, or two hours Ia
Dor for one ; whether the law sanctions the
theft or no. The upper classes, rs a rule,
entirely ignore these precepts, and install
the law Of supply and demand as the regu-
lator Of exchanges-always taking care
that it will not interfere with their in
come.
If there are two laborers, and work for
but one, then that one must work at half
price, but if there are ten lawyers, where
but one isrequired, then that one must have
ten times as much as a reasonable recon-
pense, because he can get employment but
tenth of the time. The period has gone
by when laborers can be cheated in this
manner, and they now demand that their
compensation shall be fixed upon principle;
by considerations Of justice and equity
not by the number of laborers. We advise
Gail and those of her class to open their
eyes and read. The handwriting is on the
wall
The feudal system has passed away
Slavery is abolished Even the French