234 [Assembly 



my deserving, has assigned me, you would esteem it blame-worthy if 

 that were not considered. For who are they that constitute the 

 strength of the prominent branches of human industry ? Who fill the 

 granaries of the land, and make available the loom, and work out in 

 their thousand lowly ways the varied defences, and comforts, and lux- 

 uries of life ? The results of labor are all around us. We see them 

 in the temple of God, in the palace or tlie rich man, in the iron ship, 

 in the magnificent works which adorn your city, and in that especially 

 by which the waters of a river are conjured from their bed to supply 

 your wants. 



But where is the laborer, and what is done for him ? We claim 

 with earnest voice protection for ourselves, and legislation responds to 

 the call. Our manufactures are extended, and commerce multiplies 

 Iter sails, and in their growth, agriculture and the arts live and thrive. 

 But the great end of this is national and individual wealth ; and that 

 end has been gained, and therein we rejoice. But the success which 

 has marked our progress, and crowned our work, is itself a trust, and 

 its responsibilities we may not fly from if we*would. 



Men who are endeavoring by legislative enactment and individua* 

 effort to meliorate the condition of the laboring classes, complain, and 

 perhaps with truth, that the rates of compensation enjoyed so poorly 

 remunerate them for the stipulated work ; and if we go into the field 

 or the workshop to ascertain what is done for those whose lives are 

 expended in producing the first results of labor, we may find much 

 room for sad speculation. There is something wrong here, that re- 

 quires the application of thought for its removal. 



But there are considerations which more appropriately address 

 themselves to us here and now. Gathered together for purposes na- 

 tional in their character, it is not enough that we congratulate our- 

 selves on that proof of success which great possessions furnish. There 

 are other interests than those which the "dollar" represents; ami 

 though uncounted, thousands reward our efforts, we have failed, have 

 we not, if we have kept out of sight the claims of tho?e, wiiici.l 

 whose labor-spent lives we had been poor indeed. 



The great work which the present has to perform, is to ccruil>M!3 

 of its strength to lift up the laborer, and to make him more and ;j era 

 a man. The cultivated farmer is better than the cultivated iarw. An 



