National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-10

When democracy was in power the labor
ing men were practically excluded from
twelve great states Of the union. The
intelligent, hard-working mechanic Of
the northern states was unknown in the
south, and could not have existed there
in competition with unpaid slave labor.
1t is impossible TO find any legislation
enacted by the party, when in control,
designed to foster industry and benefit
labor. 1t was reserved for the republican
party, with its progressive and humane
idoas, to make a record in which from its
earliest existence down to tho present
day a careful and friendly regard for the
welfare and elevation of labor was at all
times manifest. In its party platforms,
its general policy at all times, and its
practical acts of legislation, it has never
failed to demonstrate its genuine interest
in the laboripR element of the country.
On tho fipst day of the year 1868 two Of
the graDdest measures in the interest of
labor with which the pages of history are
marked went into effect, exclusively tho
work Of the republican party, viz the lib.
GRAFTON of the slaves and the passage of
the homestead law.
The destruction Of slavery opened up
virgin field to tho army Of free labor.
To-day in Georgia, Tennessee tho Caro-
linas, Virginia, and Alabama workingmen
by the thousands arc making living in
iron mines, coal mines, cotton factories,
foundries, rolling mills, blast furnaces,
and other forms of industries, where
twenty-five years ago the workingman
was barred out and unwelcome. Such
manufacturing cities as Roanoke, Va,
and Birmingham, Ala, are as directly
the result of republican legislation as
they would have been had the party
passed laws and provided means for their
building. 1t is no slight thing for any
party to be able to truthfully say that II
opened up to labor the magnificent field
afforded by the great natural resources oi
the southern states. A field 80 vast that,
great as has been its development within
ten years past, it is yet almost untouched
and is destined TO afford sustenance to
millions of workingmen in the future.
The homestead law put it in the power
of the humblest toiler to enter any part
of the public domain and take unchal.
lenged possession Of an estate which
through his industry would soon enable
him to put himself and his family be.
yond the shadow of want. Tho bound
less west is dotted with prosperous homo
steads acquired through this grand pool
mans law, the owners Of which but for
it's munificent provisions would to-day
be laboring in the crowded marts of in
dustry without the prospect of more than
o hard-oarned living. And tho gracious
bounty Of the homestead law is still held
out to every poor man in the land.
These two great enactments of the re
publican party, passed in its earliest day
of power, servo as keynote to its afte
course in its relations to labor. Othe
anaotrnonts hero followed GVuu ycaT &,
year tending in the same general direc
ton, the net results of which are that to
day the condition of laboring men ant
women in the United States, compared
with those living under the most favored
conditions in other countries, afford
striking proof of the efficacy of republican
care for tho well-being of the toilers
Nowhere on earth is labor 80 well com
ponsated as here, and nowhere else oil
earth does the laboring man live unde
conditions whero ho is so respected en'
SO important factor in his communit.
as in this land where great party guard
his interests with jealous watchtulness.