The Wilmingtonian., 1886-05-08
THE LABOR QUESTION.
A Verbatim Report of the Lecture Deliy-
cred by George w. Stone at Unity
Church, Wilmington, Delaware,
April 2stb, 1856.


society is directly interested in its solution.
| The foundations of social life are disturbed
the muscles of the body politic--yes, the very
body polite itself-s, involved in this issue,
| 1t is question Of first Importance and it
must be considered with the greatest calm
ness, patience and care.It demands a full and
| free discussion, patient and careful study.
We have no precedents by which to settle
many of its problems. History, that great
storchouse of human wisdom, has not among
that will aid us in arriving at just
conclusions in dealing with these con-
dtions. The present demand is for genius,
that wonder full power of invention or organ
izaton, that intellectual faculty which shall
seq causes, and devise methods of combina-
tion for the establishment of wise rules and
laws, whereby the dangers that threaten
public peace and prosperity may be avoided.
| Without assuming to possess any of that
genius, | nevertheless shall not apologize
for attempting to discuss or rather to call
attention to some of the peculiar phases of
this question, to seek for some of the causes
which have, in the natural development OF
the human race brought us to it, for | take
it that this question is now before us in its
natural order it is a regular and natural
demonstration of the laws that govern our
advancement. It is attended by pain and
Suffering. What great onward step in hui
man progress was ever taken that was not
similarly attended, What great boon was
ever conferred upon the human race, that
did not cost 1t dearly2 What immunity
from toll, slavery or ignorance was ever
purchased except at price of blood ano
treasure? The issues involved are not merely
economic issues, they are deeper and broad.
: er. This is not merely question of trade
a and commerce, Of capital and labor, as it il
| enormously called, it is one of human equal
ty, and individual liberty. Itholds in its com
prehensive grasp the question of self-govern
ment and its solution may affect-yes
must affect-the whole question of self-gov
ernment, and the decision as to whether
after all such a principle can be reliable AM
trustworthy. intend to present my view
Of the subject with frankness and sincerity
+ and with such dsinterestedness as / ca
a command, not expecting general acquis
, ssence in them, but asking from you care
!, full consideration OF them.
1t requires no lengthy argument, | al
sure, to convince you all that we stand t.
day in the presence of one of those import
II ant changes in the fundamental relation
. which exist between the various classes ths
= constitute human society. The movemen
| which now seems to be approaching culm
nation, or point of development, began i
the year 1881. At the close of the America
TO Revolution, England and our country el
Il
Or industrial invention" 1t was then that m;
| chine labor began TO be substituted for han
labor.
Watt perfected the steam engine, an
W steam began its revolutionary work; IL
IN forces of nature hitherto Embarrassed we
I'd summoned to insist in the development
social SCIENCE From that time to the pre-
III ent, requsition has beeu made CONSTANT
>, upon these natural forces for additional col
tributions to human service. Thee requis
tions have been houored to degree hithe
I'LL to unparalleled in the annals of history. N
ID only steam, but hydraulics, electricity al
or even sound, have been made our servant
During this same period, tho human brai
the most marvellous creation of all, has d
veloped through invention, complicated al
effective machinery for manufacturing-n
ny only those things which are needed for dai
consumption, but also those comforts, lu
Try uries, and adornments which are only ncce
IL sary in highly wrought and complex h
man civilization. The masses have rapid
adapted themselves to the use and enjoyme
of these advantages but rapid as this ad;
tation has been, it has at length been ov
taken by the inventive genius of the age,a
we find ourselves surrounded with mt
% wealth than we eau possibly make use
Tee True, the capacity to use and enjoy tn
,ro- manifold comforts aud luxuries is prese
his but the means for acquiring them, is abs
III hence the unrest and confusion. There
! stoppage in social development caused by
cessation OF suspension Of the ability to e
the money necessary to purchase all th
un- aids to the comforts and luxuries of life.
lore put in plain every day language, the capat
ard to produce is in excess Of the capacity
,,os consume-uuder the existing rules govern
society. When the earth will no longer
sorb the falling rain, the water covers
surface and we say we have flood. So n
uoo society will not absorb the labor of
hands, supplemented as it is, by the labo