The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-01-19
Labor: and Money.

tuO ROo1tiOh AO AS'H SSSN fA~o'
Labor and Money.
Mr.. Editor: Upon the proper adjust
ment Of these two great factors in the
body polite depends the prosperity of
every nation under the sun. If money
is used as the servant of labor, and as
ready means of exchange between the
various products of labor, and in suffi-
cient quantities to facilitate the rapid
exchange Of commodities, then the pros
perity Of that nation is assured. The
people are contented and happy, because
in whatever department of labor they
may be employed, they are assured of
abundant employment at good wages.
sIf,.hcwever, as is the case with almost
all the monarchies of Europe, the gov.
sernment is under the control of the,
money power, then discomfort reigns
everywhere, because labor is robbed of
its just rewards by an odious money
monopoly. Wealth is concentrated in
the hands of q few men, while poverty
and destitution becomes the unhappy lot
of the toiling millions. Hence, all
through those discontented countries of
Europe we constantly hear of strikes,
nihilism, communism, and the Haunting
ofits red flag in the face of the most civ
ilized portions of the world.-Even in the
city of London, one fthe most populous,
the wealthiest and the most enlightened
cities Of the world, we find that it takes
powerful police force to keep the peace
in Trafalgar Square. The discomfort in
Ireland has been of such long continu.
ance, that we scarcely expect anything
there except turbulence and bloodshed,
as between the government police and
the people; and the most startling con.
sideration of all, in reference to unhappy
Ireland, is the fact that the most of her
troubles arise from her connection with
the parent government of England. If
she were restored to the great right Of
selfgovernment, which would ensure
her release from the monied monopoly of
Great Britain, prosperity hitherto
unknown would soon dawn upon the
millions of the Emerald Isle. Shooting
and hanging the discoptents will be no
remedy for the great evil. If the gov
ernment were to slay the discontents by
the thousands, it would not cure the
trouble, because there are other thou.
sands to fill up the, gaps in the decimated
ranks of the discontents. So that if we
would be wise in time, in correcting the
mistakes of the olden world in these
United States, it may be our great mis-
sion to enthrone labor before the aston.
ished gaze of the civilized world as the
great factor in the development Of
national progress and greatness, with
money as the subservient and ready tool
to aid labor in this much desired con-
summation. The practical question lies
back ofthis. How are the producers of all
wealth, and the laborers in a thousand
aYocations to rescue this government in
her youthful vigor from the thraldom of
the money power of Wall Street, and
enthrone labor as king, instead Of
money? And first, we would remark
that strikes, and socialism, and commun.,
ism, will never bring the coveted relief.
Neither can we look to either of the
great parties now in existence 10 do the
work for US. With both it is too much
the desire for party success, rather than
the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber," that is their governing principle.
And yet, we scarcely believe that the
time has arrived for the laboring and
producing classes to make national
contest for the supremacy OF this great
principle m governmental affairs. Until
that time does come, We can go on organ
izing as Farmers Alliances, Oranges,
Farmers Clubs, Knights of Labor,
Brotherhood of Engineers, and 30 on ad
infnitum, and as we organize make our
power felt in Legislative elections, State
and National. The money of nation is
the representative of its sovereignty in
the highest sense. This can never be
true, except where the government issues
to the people direct, without the inter-
vention of banks, all its money, full
legal tender, whether gold, silver, or
paper money, and in sufficient quantities
to meet the necessities of growing,
prosperous people. On this single
plank surely all classes ofbusiness men,
farmers, mechanics, merchants, manu-.
facturers, and laborers in every depart
ment of industries, can stand united and
victorious. Demand this one thing of
all candidates for Presidential or Con-
gressional honors: Are you for the people
on this money question, OF for bankers
aud bondholders? Which king?
Z. II. r.