Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-09-05

our people gives source of wealth and prosperity
unexampled in any nation in modern times FROM
the Atlantic to the Pacific. from Canada to the Gun
of Mexico our country has been blessed with boun-
tful haryess assuring plenty OF food TO all our peo-
derstand that rich stream of wheat is now pouring
into your port for shipment
1t is this industry which lies at the foundation oil
our prosperity, and which invites now millions OF
laborers to aid in the development of uneuluTated
lands. The war withdrew from agriculture nlillons
of laborers who again invited to join in this most
heathful and happy pursuit OF life and the crowded
cities are freely invited send their surplus popu-
lation to fruitful fields and bountiful harvests.
After the Of 1872 the migration commenced
which peopled Ohio, Indiana ana Illinois, ana, 81
though there sre no such rich lands open now ior
settlement. yet Texas, Kansas, Nebraska ana me
whole tier Of States west of the Missouri River. to-
gether with the undeyeloped Territories OF the West
invite migration and insure 10 labor just reward
for transportation and settlement that our iathers
did not enjoy.
LABOR QUESTION.
And now fellow citizens in conclusion, let me in
ve your attention briefly TO the agitation OF the Ia
Dor question, not only in this country but IN other
countries where production has exceeded consump-
ton and thrown out of employment many indus
trious laboring men, and paralyzed important
branches of industry, especially OF the iron ana
coal industries. know that in some places labor
is depressed, that wages are low that many Wiling
hand finds 1t hard to get work, and sometimes nun
CRY men, women and children want food ana cloth-
ing, and shame be to him who does not sym pathlze
with such suffering and relieve 1t II possible NO
wonder that honest labor grows soured at the IN.
equalites of fe and sometimes listens To the cry OF
the demagOgue that human laws have caused THIS
distress and that if he were in office he could iur-
nish redress.
THE SAME LABOR DISTRESS THROUGHOUT EUROPE
The same distress in a far greater degree exists in
Great Britain, France, Germany and all CIVILIZED
nations whatever may be their forms of currency
standards OF value. Modern inventions which sup
ply wonderful machinery which consumes only
water and coal, as substitute for the skilled me-
chanic, have greatly diminished the occupation OF
labor. Fewer laborers are required for the same
work. The only remedy would seem to be 10 pursue
new industries, and seek new markets to be s9pped
Our country is blessed with cheap lands iny1t-
ing labor and the energy Of our own people, as l
have shown. is already discovering increased en-
ployment in supplying productions heretofore mace
abroad and in sending our home productions 10
foreign countries All that the government can DO
within its limited powers it ought to do to encour-
age, protect, and foster labor.
And can say OF our laws and institutions that
they are far more favorable 10 the laboring man
than those of any other country and any idea or re-
FORM that is proposed to relieve and pro
tect labor finds in the Republican party its earnest
and sympathetic advocate. That party has done
more Tor the protection and development OF labor
| than any other Our Constitution and laws guaran'
tee to every man equal civil and political rights
Property is more equally distributed than ELSEWHERE
| excent in France and excluding the NEGROES who
but recently acquired the right 10 vote, greater
portion of our citizens property holders. More
than two-thirds of our voters with this exception
are property holders and the rest want to be. hope
to be, and can be. This country of ours is not the
permanent field for tramps and Communists. Our
laws for the distribution OF property tend directly ano
rapidly to distribute large estates. Property here is
required to pay more tribute to labor than in any
country in the world.
GOVERNMENT WILL PROTECT LABOR.
Property educates the children, maintains all your
| charitable institutions, maintains your streets
roads, and local improvements and all parts OF ma
that attach 10 those who have property are
on whisky, tobacco, and beer, which are voluntary
| taxes. II the government can do more TO protect
labor it will. 1t offers to every citizen homestead
on the public lands. 1t offers every man an equal
| chance. Every office and honor is open TO equal
competition, and it gives TO no man rank title ol
advantage except what he himself acquires This is
all that free government can do. 1t can not take
the property OF the rich and divide it among the
poor. It can not, as is proposed, take the public
other way except for the limited proper objects pro
vided for by the Constitution. 1t can not contro
| contracts men make with each other. exeep
where they grossly immoral or vio
late public policy; Its office is spen
chance IN the race of life. While the sympathies o
the Republican party must ever be with the laborins
man, il can not violate the fundamental principles
of free government to favor any class, or refuse
protect any class in the enjoyment OF life, property
| and the fruits of their own labor.
| In the general management of your affairs the Re
publican party has done all that il could do TO de
| velop the national resources and maintain the ma
tional honor 20 protect all men in equal rights,
secure all equal privileges and an equal chance
in life and is ready 70 adopt any proper and consti
tuonal mode of relieving distress and advancing thu
interests of any portion of the people can safely ap
peal all of you who have shared in the honors anC
labors of this party to still stand by its flag now tina
the difficulties of the recent past passing away
ing ana prosperous since liberty first proclaimed
by revolutionary fathers, is still destined to al
| vance under the guidance of the Republican part!
| to higher honors and greater prosperity.