The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-23

ID generally hb5umeu, anu aH uIkuuou1 10
mainly upon the assumption. that the
trouble of the times is largely confined to
the laboring classes and if they were only
relieved aud put In safe condition all fur
Their trouble would presently disappear.
Instead Of this being the true state OF
affairs or the right view Of the question, it
is wholly one-sided and inconclusive. The
whole community are involved at the same
time, and that Of which the laboring clas-
ses complain is felt in like manner by
every other class Of industry or produc-
ton. Whatever has been the active and
efficient cause it has Frustrated capital
with the same stroke that has leveled the
workingman. The labor question is only
one phase of the general disorganized con-
dition of the body polite, il is like single
symptom in a case Of fever, and cure can
only be brought about by general treat
ment and restoration of health to every
part.
To do this requires more skill and
knowledge, greater experience and sagacity,
than the men possess who for the most
part have developed into or are aspiring
to reach the position Of leaders in
the organized labor parties of the day.
In fact the highest liability and statesman
ship Of the country are irequired to meet
the dangers and difficulties which prevail.
Capitalists and laborers, merchants and
farmers, all classes alike if not in equal
degree, have really the same interest in
wishing the return Of prosperous times
and in striving to bring about such result.
But the end cannot be accomplished by
one class alone, nor questions of general
interest and public utility be settled with
reference to particular Cless regard
less Of all others. Labor cannot possibly
attain to all administration, or dictate all
legislation specially 10 its own behalf, with
out material aud dangerous detriment TO
the wants and necessities of the remaining
portion of the people, neither can capital
do the same thing without inAicting deep
aud lasting injury upon the general pros
perity. The great economical and finan-
cial questions before the country can never
be satisfactorily or permanently adjusted.
OF settled 80 as to be acquiesced in by the
country, except they are arranged with
the consent and to the common approval
of the larger proportion of all classes. A
labor party as such, or bank party as
such, or any party based merely upon the
supposed wants and demands of a single
class is not only incompetent to decide
upon interests of such magnitude, but is un.
fitted to decide, because its vision is limited
aud its judgment is determined simply
within the narrow bounds of its own pur.
view and not by the mutual understanding
and more comprehensive knowledge which
inheres to the union and concert of actor
of all classes and interests.
Many of the evils under which the coun-
try now staggers are the result Of clasI
legislation, of bold defiant disregard o
the very principles upon which all safet!
aud prosperity are founded. Nearly al
financial legislation Of late years has beef
class legislation, and in the interest of tn
monied class. The republican party i
responsible for what has been done.
has been INSCRIPTIONS and corrupt and 70
twenty years has had control and directed
legislation at it's own will and pleasure.
has been guilty OF enormous usurpations 0
power; it has welded the sword and car
ried the purse; it has legislated for tn
special benefit of capital and disregarde
the claims of the poor. As consequence
there has been an overwhelming increas
of public indebtedness, building up O
huge and powerful corporations, an investing
Of the few at the expense of the many Will
great and almost unlimited privileges TO
acquiring wealth and controIinI
labor; in short, the results of tb
ideas of the republican party hav
produced an organized labor part
whose theory is but the legitimat
application of the same principles, only
would be reversal Of classes benefited,
would be the labor party instead of tn
capitalist party.
Metropolitan party are the real author
Of the ideas which the labor party de
mauds shall be enforced, The republican
have proclaimed the government OmnIpo
tent, with ample power to do everything
- the labor party also want tb,
the government to do everything. TIL
republican party in administering the gov
eminent has enriched and built up tn
capitalists, the labor party now want tn
government to create work and enrich labor
The republicans wanted more money, ant
the party created greenbacks and organ
lied national bank system, --when tn
capitalist could be better served by con
traction and shrinkage of values they leg
islated to return to gold basis. In turl
the labor party demands the same gov
ornamental fiat-thst government shall ere
ate money and see that every body has q
he wants. The republicans have SO Iegis
lated that inevitably all property is rapid
accommodating in the hands of the few, a
untitled but in reality monied aristo
cracy, 1.-THE labor party demands Of til
government to do the reverse. to stop th
accumulation of property, to divide an,
equaIize, and to Ordain it crime to labo
more than a given number of hours
The men VINO call themselves the laborin