Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
of it is now, and always has been, in the interest of capital, rather 
than of labor. There is, in fact, no place where the controlling 
influence of capital is more visible than in the matter of legisla¬ 
tion. There has never been wisdom, honor, or virtue enough in 
the legislative department of government to resist it. It is here 
that capital fairly riots and revels in its power—not in one legisla¬ 
ture, but in all; not alone in the states, but in the nation, as well; 
not only in this country, but in all countries. This is true; so 
we need not look in that direction for relief against this evil, nor 
indeed for relief against any evil that rises above an assault and 
battery, or a common larceny, and the like. The remedy for this 
evil, and for all evils that affect peoples, lies somewhere among 
the people, and some time we may hope that it will be discovered. 
Let some great genius come forth and point out the means by 
which labor shall at all times reap its just reward and have its 
just influence in the affairs of men, and the world will sing his 
praises with grateful hearts to the end of time. 
It is claimed by writers on political economy that the true re¬ 
lation between labor and capital is that of partners ; and that, but 
for the favoritism that legislation has everywhere shown to capital, 
they would work together in harmony and in fairness. Whether 
this be true, or not, it is not my purpose now to discuss. But if 
it is so, if right legislation can restore a just equilibrium between 
capital and labor, and secure to labor ajustand fair share of what 
it earns, then the remedy is in the hands of the laboring men of 
this country; and if they act honestly, and act wisely, the remedy 
might be applied, and the work accomplished within a twelve 
month. We have seen that the capital of the country is in the 
hands of the few, and we know that they act together and for 
their interests. Suppose the laboring interest should do the same, 
just once, what a revolution it would work in this country and in 
the world! And, if it acted wisely, what a blessing would be 
conferred upon mankind by this one exercise of manly inde¬ 
pendence and self-respect! 
RELATIONS OF LABOR TO AGRICULTURE. 
But it may be asked what has all this to do with agriculture. 
I answer that it has everything to do with it. It has something 
