Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-09
LabOrers And Parties.


LabOrers And Parties.
Every intelligent laborer who would
vote for bis own interest should support
the republican ticket next Monday. There
are strong reasons why he should do so.
The policy of the republican party in ma
tional affairs favors the laboring class ;
the policy of the democratic party as
avowed in its platforms, would, if it were
adopted and carried out, reduce TO pauper-
ism the laboring class.
When slavery existed in this country
it was upheld by the power Of the demo-
cratic party, and while it crushed with iron
heel the colored laborers of the South it
degraded the white laborers OF the North.
When labor cost nothing in the South
but "A little bacon and hominy for the sup
port OF the slave, labor in the North was
consequently poorer paid, and free white
lab0rers were regarded as but little bet
ter than negro slaves. The republican
party broke the shackles of the slaves,
and when it made freemen of them elevat-
ed labor in the social and political scale
everywhere The laborer of the North
became more manly man because of the
election of Abraham Lincoln and the con-
summation of emancipation for the blacks.
The republican party is to-day and in
the coming election the friend of labor as
it was in the Presidential campaign of
1860. The protective tariff which it enacted
in 1861, operated to increase manufac-
lures immensely in this country. caused the
erection of factories, mills, fomdres, and
the introduction of new industries, thus
making larger demand for labor at in
creased wages, building up cities and
villages, and producing work for all who
desired it and needed its return Thirty
years ago, in the "good old democratic
times" that we occasionally hear men,
toned, farmerscou scarcely sell anything
from their farms for cash, at any price;
now they can obtain good price at their
own door for anything they have to SELL
Common laborers in those days were glad
to work for eight dollars month now they
command one dollar and half day, and
work is in better demand than thirty years
ago at the low prices then prevailing
Every person who is fifty years of age
knows that the above are facts. Demo-
cratic times were hard times for farmers
and laborers. Republican times. by the
help of the protective tariff. have been
good times for farmers and laborers.
In the election next Monday the tariff
question is prominent tissue. The repub-
lican candidates for Congress will il elect
ed support tariff for the protection
OF American industries and American
labor. The democratic candidates if
elected will support free trade measures
One Of our exchanges ia another county
reports the distribution free of one hun.
dred thousand copies of free trade paper
aud 5000 in cash to assist in the election
Of the fusion ticket next Monday. But
free trade means the degradation of labor,
the reduction of workmen to the pauper
condition Of laborers in England and Ire
land. the shutting down of factories
and mills, the return to the .good old
democratic times" when laborers were,
glad to work for eight dollars month.
Then adozen of eggs would scarcely buy
yard Of calico. while the best of beefcould
not be disposed of except at barter and
then for only one-third what it now bring.
in ready cash.
Laborers and farmers who desire to 60
back to the good old democratic times"
mentioned above. to degradation and pau
perism such as exist in Ireland, will vote
the fusion ticket with HARRIS NJ.
PLAISTED at the head.
Laborers and farmers. however, who
are in favor of maintaining the dignity
and honor of labor. and the tariff which
protects them against the pauper labor of
Europe and will make the streams of
Maine hum with the music of busy spin
dies and our State the home OF respected
and well-paid labor. will vote the repnbli-
can ticket, from FREDERICK Robe at
The head TO the town representative at the
look
LAborcrs and farmers have deep in
toreet In the election next Monday, and
ahould not fAil TO vote the regular repub-
hean 49,