Year: 1861

this is found in the most grave and matureIv
considered public documents as well az
III tle general tone OF the insurgents
IN these documents we find the abridge-
ment oil the existing right of suffraoe
ana the denial to the people of all RIGHT
10 participate in the selection of public
officers except the legislative body, advocated
WIN laoored arguments to prove that large
control OF the government in the people is the
source Of all political evil. Monarchy itself is
sometimes hinted at as possible refuge FROM
tAe power OF the people. In my present posi-
tlen, could scarcely be justified were | to
omit raising warning voice against this ao-
proach OF returning despotism. 1t Itisnotneed.
ed nor fitting here that general argument
should be made in favor of popular institu-
tlohs, out there is one point with its connec.
ions not SO hackneyed as most others, TO
which ask a brief attention 1t is the effort
to tplace capital on an equal footing with if
not above, labor in the structure of its poyern-
ment. 1t Is assumed that labor is available
only IN connection with capital; that nobody
laborS unless somebody else owning caDitaI
somehow by the use Of it induces him to la
Dor. This assumed, il is next considered
whether it is best that capital shall hire labor.
ers, and thus inddce them to work by their
own consent or buy them and drive them TO
it without their consent. Having proceeded
so far, it is naturally concluded that all labor
ers are either hired laborers, or what we call
slaves, and further it is assumed that whoever
is once hired laborer is fixed in that condi-
ton for life


Now there is no such relation between capi-
tai and labor as assumed, nor is there any
such thing as free man being fixed for life
in the condition of hired laborer Both of
these assumptions are false, and all iulerences
from them are grouudless. Labor is prior to
and independent of capital. Capital is only
the fruit of labor, and could never have exist
ed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the
superior Of capital, and deserves much the
higher consideration. Capital has its consid.
eraion. Capital has its rights which are as
worthy of protection as any OTHER rights.
Nor Is it denied that there is, and probably
always Will be Il relation between labor and
capital, producing mutual benefits. The error
is Ill assuming thnt the Whole labor OF Il COM
munity exists within that relation. A few men
own capital, and that few avoid labor them.
selves, and with their capital hire or buy
another few TO labor for them, and :; large ma
lorlty belong 10 neither class neither work
for others, nor have others working for Them.
In most OF the southern states a majority
OF the whole people OF all cOlors are neither
slaves nor masters, while in the northern a
larger majority are neither hrers nor hired.
Men, with their families wives, sons and
daughters, work Tor themselves ON their farms.
in Their houses, and i'll their shops, taking the
Wlole piOuuct 10 themselves and asking no
tav0rs Of capital on the one hand nor of hired
labOrers Or slaves on the other. 1t is not for.
gotten that a consid, rable number of persons
minge their own labor with capltal-that is.
they labor with their oyn hands, and also buy
or hire others to labor for them but il is ONLY
a mixed, and not distinct class. No princi-
pie stated is disturbed by the existence OF this
mixed class.


Again. as has already been said, there is
not OF necessity any such thing as the free
hired iaborer being liked Tor that condition
Tor life. Many independent men everywhere
III these states, few years back in their
lives were hired aborerS The prudent.
penniIess laborer in thes world, labors for
wages awhile, saves a surplus with which TO
buy tools or land for himself, then labors Oh
his own accoGni another while, and at length
hires another new beginner tC help BIN. THIS
Is the just and generous and prosperous sys-
tenn which opens the way to ali, gives hopes
to all, and consequent energy aud progress and
Improvement OF the condition 10 all. No men


living are more worthy TO be trusted than
those who toll up from poverty none less in
clined to take or touch aught whicn they have
not earnestly earned. Let them beware OF sur
ren erng political right which they already
possess and which if surrendered will surely
be used to close the door OF advancement
against such as they, and to fix new disabil-
ties and burdens upon them, till all OF liberty
shall be lost.


From the first taking OF our national census
10 the last, are seventy years, and we find our
population at the end Of the period, eight
times as great as it was at the beginning The
increase OF those other things which are deemed
desirable has been even greater We thus
have at one view what the popular principle
applied to the government through the ma
clinery OF tue states and the Union, has pro-
duced in given time, and also what, if firm
ly maintained, it promises for the future
There are already among us those who, if the
Union be preserved will live to see it contain
250000,0 ,00J people. The struggle of today is
not altogether tor TO day. 1t is for vast future
also. With firm reliance on Providence, all
the more firm and earnest let us proceed in the
great task which events have devolved upon
us. ABRAHAM LINCOLN


Washington, Dec. 3, 1861.