National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-06
LAPnR AND CAPITAL.

there is TO be a fierce contest between
capital and labor. The ty-third Con-
gIcss met with a great flourish of trumpets
in opposition TO great moneyed monopolies.
There was little that it would not do or
promise at IFS first session in favor Of cheap
transportation. But at the late session
there were no elections pending, and those
promises dissolved into thin air. Instead
Of Iegislating for the encouragement of
labor in order to revive industry and in
crease the taX-raying capacity Of the coun-
Try, its entire energies seem to have been ex-
pended in "pinChing here and starving
there" as though the whole country was
bankrupt Instead Of assuming control of
railway monopolies, it frittered away its
time in striving TO ascertain how the Pa
cifc Mail Company spent its money, and
Guarding against the Texas Pacific
ard Northern Pacific guarantees. Its en-
tire legislation, from first to last, was in
imical TO labor and in the interest of cap
ital. No sooner does il adjourn than the
created by its bounty, join hands with Pa
cific Mail 10 throttle the industrial interests
of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and
the commerce of the Pacific In refusing
aid to Northern and Southern routes, Con-
gIess gave the Central line just the monop-
oily it desired. In striking down labor on
every hand, by refusing appropriations for
new public works or curtailing those few
now in progress, it has extended the pre-
vailing paralysis of general industry until
the labor system of the country will be
obliged to organize anew for its own pro-
lection,
We have not ceased to warn Republicans
in Congress of the results Of such a weak
and cowardly policy. 1t is impossible that
it should not react against the strength of
professions. The only salvation of the land
owners of this country is in the protection
and encouragement of education and eleva-
ton of labor. Without culture their land
will not produce enough to pay State taxes
That is the only difficulty in the South to-
day. Ii will persist in the oppression of
its labor at the same time that it cries for
more. The land owners of that section
are determined not TO become familiar with
free and intelligent labor Too proud to
labor themselves, they persist in the pro-
mitigation of the old doctrine that TO labor
is degrading. This practice is impoverish.
ing them. Their lands are daily depreciat-
ing in money value simply because they do
not employ the labor requisite to the pro.
duction of crops. They are unwilling 10
accord 10 labor its fair share Of production.
Their lands arc capable Of producing ten.
fold their present crops If they were but
faithfully and skIllluly titled and hus.
handed. They are mines Of wealth, but,
like the richest Of all mines, they are Of no
productive value unless they arc worked
The landowners Of the South are the
capitalists Of that section. AT least they
we're so considered in former years. But
now they arc in the hands Of the New Or.
leans cotton factors. The latter control
their crops, and OF course manage to gobble
the major portion of their profits. In like
manner the grain dealers and transporterS
Of the North combine to speculate upon the
ldIbIs VI NOlluCIu uGCudulCS anu hBTlCul-
turists. Is it strange, then, that we see
oranges and strikes organized? While the
wages Of the laborer are reduced aud the
cost of transportation enhanced and the ne
cessities of life taxed higher and higher, is
it not reasonable that the labor Of the cvun-
try should ask some explanation Of the re-
suits that have thus followed? And when
Congress, regardless Of its many professions
of sympathy and promises of amendment,
adjourns without single effort in behalf
of labor, or a single effort to check the
arrogance Of the non producing capitalists
and spectators who are expressing it,
why should not all the labor interests of
the country unite as single man to protect
themselves? Any other course would de-
note degree of pusillanimity which would
be disgraceful. Ii is the labor of the coun-
try which produces IFS wealth. 1t is the
labor which pays the taxes, and it is Of no
use 10 say that it shall not enjoy fair share
Of IFS earnings, and have potent voice in
the expenditures Of the Government.