PRACTICAL PAPERS-LABOR AND CAPITAL. 277 
1. Such is the tendency of capital to increase, that the man 
will soon find in his hands a surplus, to employ which, he 
must either bring in another who has only labor to work "un¬ 
der him, or lend it as capital to another independent worker, 
and so a distinction between capitalist and laborer is sure to 
begin. 
2. But a great difficulty comes from the fact that the capaci¬ 
ties and tastes of men differ greatly. Some efficient labor- ‘ 
ers lack managing skill and tact in saving so as keep and ac¬ 
cumulate capital independently. Others peculiarly endowed 
in these respects, lack physical strength for labor. To some, 
manual labor is irksome, and they will seek exemption from 
it as soon as their increase of capital enables them to do so. 
Others find the care of managing business no less distasteful, 
. and so put their accumulating capital into other hands. Then— 
3. Many forms of production most essential to a state of 
highest civilization, must be carried on in large establishments 
which shall combine great capital, and great numbers and di¬ 
vers grades of laborers. The most economical division of 
labor can be secured only through such establishments. 
Hence there is a strong tendency to a separation of the two 
elements, so that the capital will be the chief concern with 
some, and the labor with others. This disturbs the abstract 
i 
equality and mutual dependence just spoken of. Perhaps with 
respect to actual increase, capital alone is most helpless • 
but in the meeting of persons to enter into contract, the capi¬ 
talist has the advantage, because he can live on his capital with- 
* 
out labor, but the laborer cannot live except he earns his neces¬ 
sary food by working with somebody’s capital. Under the 
sway of short-sighted self-interest therefore, capitalists are in¬ 
clined to use this advantage to domineer and oppress laborers 
I say short-sighted self-interest; for in the long run and in the 
broad view, such oppression reacts upon the oppressor. When 
laborers are held down to starvation wages, capital must be 
heavily taxed for the support of paupers, and in time there 
must come an insurrection which will make capital insecure. 
On the other hand the consciousness of dependence, tends to 
