The Laborer; a Remedy for His Wrongs

PREFACE.

EALTH or fame is not the author's motive for writing this book; it is to encourage the working

man to persevere in his efforts to shorten the hours of labor and ameliorate his condition. The laborer who does so much for the happiness of mankind -who accomplishes such mighty works-ought to have the greatest reward; he deserves it.

It has been said, if the laborers were educated, none would be found to black the boots or curry the horses of those who were above the laborer. Learning will, in time, level all inequalities of life. In boyhood, the writer read one of the American Tract Society's reprints, called the "Shepherd of Salisbury Plain." A gentleman on horseback entered into a conversation about the weather. Said he, "Do you live where I see yonder smoke?" Said the shepherd, "No, I have not much firing, and sometimes nothing to eat." This narration moved the writer to tears, to think that there was one in this world so destitute. The writer's reflections on reading this were, the earth was full of abundance, and it needed labor to bring it out.

This gentleman had a habit of taking a walk "to con

template the goodness of God." It occurred to the mind of the writer, if this man would contemplate the goodness of God on the plow handles, it would be better for mankind. It is idleness on the part of others, and robbery caused by governments, that caused the shepherd's misery. This employment could not be any better. This shepherd would not drink ale with the gentleman. He was very industrious. His earnings were a shilling a day. He had a wife and six children; their food was mostly potatoes. This gentleman paid the family a visit, and overheard one of the children say, having salt to their food, they should be contented. Religion is not given us to make us contented with misery. This gentleman gave to the family blankets, which, perhaps, had been taken from a starved tenantry, in the shape of rent or profits on the labor of others. This shepherd was made a parson's clerk. On Sunday he wore a white robe and said "Amen" to the Church of England's prayers. The scanty pittance he got for this from the congregation only lessened their comforts of life.

This tract led to this reflection, if all the kings, nobles, priests, soldiers, lawyers, custom-house officers, and many. others would do something of utility, there would be no poverty in the world. Hannah More wrote books to cure French infidelity. They got the name of " Village Chips." France was so full of philosophers, priests, nobles, kings, and courtiers, that the common people had not a sufficiency of food; this led to their destruction.

Miss More by her village chips and other writings, gain

ed $150,000. This amount was left to build a church as If Miss More had not been a Christian, she

a monument.

would have left this money at interest, it would have given

$9,000; this sum would have or 120 families on potatoes. this lady's death, [1833] would

kept in idleness 960 persons, This interest at the time of

keep in idleness thirty me

chanics' families in comfort and happiness.

It is the duty of every one to resolve to work at useful, laborious toil. It is the duty of every one who labors thus to keep himself only. The misery of the world arises from one man's keeping another doing nothing, and whose claim for support is not founded on nature. That rich men should leave their families to be clothed and fed, by the industrious, by interest, life insurance or otherwise, is absurd, and a more enlightened age will sweep them away.

The apology for intruding this book upon the laborers' notice, is that the writer has had access to large, and costly libraries, and his reading has been of that nature, so that he may set his own class to reasoning correctly on political subjects. The facts in this book have been acquired when the day's labor was done, most of them during the last two years. This book has its literary faults. The writer quit: school at ten years of age.

The writer can get no one to print this book. He has purchased type and sets them up. He is a cabinet-maker, not a printer; and this will account for typographical faults.

It is a pleasing thought this book can be printed without asking permission. Greater changes are to be made in

men's condition.

The thunders of the Vatican have tried to strike out of the hands of men, the writings of Wickliff, Huss, and Luther. At Rome a body of literary despots make out a catalogue of books, that are forbidden to be read. In Spain a book goes through half a dozen courts before it is published. Queen Elizabeth punished an author for an offending book. King James compelled books to be examined "and purged of offensive matter." Milton's Paradise Lost was altered, after a few years it was printed as written. Sir Mathew Hale did not want his books printed after his death, he was afraid the "Licensers of the Press" might change them.

This book will show what others have suffered for to ameliorate the condition of those who toil. Sir Thomas More lost his head on the block; his Utopia would offend many. Fenelon was banished from the French court. In prison Voltaire wrote his "Henriade" and "Toleration;" Cobbett his "Paper against Gold;" and Montgomery some of his poems. Brissot De Warville, after his visit to this country, with thirteen others suffered on the guillotine. Byron only went three times to the House of Lords; he told them they were robbers of the people. Bulwer says the writings of the social philosophers of last century are not generally known. If this collection of opinions and historical facts shall teach the young, to think, and save them from unpaid toil; the writer's labor has not been in vain. W. DEALTRY.

CIN. UNION BLOCK. 3rd ST.