264 LAND AND LABOR. 



general welfare." In all these matters Congress is the 

 sole judge, and from its judgment there is no appeal, 

 except to the people through the ballot box. Most 

 certainly no court has jurisdiction in the case. 



But the fact is, there is not a limitation or restric- 

 tion in the whole section. The limitations and re- 

 strictions are found in section 9, of the same chapter, 

 and there is not one, in the whole number, nor do the 

 whole body, in any particular, nor in general spirit, 

 restrict Congress in any action which it may deem 

 proper to be taken in this matter. Congress long 

 since took action for the welfare of sailors, and for the 

 mercantile and banking interests. Has it not equal 

 power to make provision for the welfare of the whole 

 of the industrial classes as for the mariners, or for the 

 trading and banking interests ? It certainly appears 

 that the affirmative must be true. 



Therefore it is clear that, under the Constitution, 

 Congress has ample power in the premises. But even 

 if, under the power which capital and monopoly may 

 wield, the Supreme Court should see fit to attempt 

 to nullify the action of Congress by declaring the six 

 hour law unconstitutional, a thing most unlikely, 

 there is still a higher power for appeal, before which 

 courts and congresses must bow the people who, 

 when necessary, may amend the Constitution itself, 

 to meet necessary requirements. Abraham Lincoln 

 formulated and declared the fundamental truth, that 

 our government is a government of the people, by the 

 people, and for the people. Therefore, when the peo- 

 ple speak, under the forms provided by law, the voice 

 will be heard and made effective. In this particular 



