be justified were I to omit raising my voice against this approach of returning despotism.

"It is not needed or fitting here that a general argument should be made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point, with its connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which I ask a brief attention. It is the effort to place capital on an equal footing with, if not above, labor in the structure of the Government. It is assumed that labor is available only in connection with capital; that nobody labors unless somebody else owning capital somehow, by use of it, induces him to labor. "This assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that capital shall hire laborers, and thus induce them to work by their own consent, or buy them and drive them to it without their consent. Having proceeded so far, it is naturally concluded that all laborers are either hired laborers or what we call slaves. And, further, it is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer is fixed in that condition for life. Now there is no such relation between capital and labor as assumed, nor is there any such thing as a free man being fixed for life in the condition of a hired laborer. Both of these assumptions are false, and all inferences from them are groundless.

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'Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and never could have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the support of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other rights. Nor is it denied that there is, and probably always will be, a relation between labor and capital producing mutual benefits. The error is in assuming that the whole labor of a community exists within that relation. A few men own capital, and that few avoid labor themselves, and with that capital hire or buy another few to labor for them.

"A large majority belong to neither class-neither work for others nor have others working for them. In most of the Southern States a majority of the whole people, of all colors, are neither slaves nor masters, while, in the Northern States, a large majority are neither hirers nor hired. Men with their families-wives, sons, and daughters-work for themselves on their farms, in their houses, and in their shops, taking the whole product to themselves, and asking no favors of capital on the one hand nor of hired laborers or slaves on the other. It is not forgotten that a considerable number of persons mingle their own labor with capital-that is, they labor with their own hands and also buy or hire others to labor for them; but this is only a mixed and not a distinct class. No principle stated is disturbed by the existence of this mixed class.

"Again. As has already been said, there is not of necessity any such thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition for life. Many independent men everywhere in these

States, a few years back in their lives, were hired laborers. The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages a while, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or lands for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just, and generous, and prosperous system which opens the way to all-gives hope to all, and consequent energy, and progress, and improvement to all. No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from poverty-none less inclined to take or touch aught with which they have not honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political power which they already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities and burdens upon them till all of liberty shall be lost.'

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The views then expressed remain unchanged-nor have I much to add. None are so deeply interested to resist the present rebellion as the working people. Let them beware of prejudices working disunion and hostility among themselves. The most notable feature of a disturbance in your city last summer was the hanging of some working people by other working people. It should never be so. The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead to a war upon property or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and ouild one for himself; thus, by example, assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE FOR ANOTHER TERM.

Within the past few months, a movement has been in progress throughout the North and West, which can but be as gratifying to Abraham Lincoln as it is pleasing to the great mass of the loyal voters of the country.

No President ever encountered the same difficulties which have met the present incumbent of the "White House" at every step he has taken since the day of his inauguration. The traitors in the South have naturally opposed every important order he has issued; have ridi

culed every proclamation he has promulgated; have criticised and sneered at every message he has written; and have vilified and maligned the character of their author. This was to be expected; but there have been traitors at the North who have been no less bitter, no less strenuous in their opposition; but, under the guidance of Divine Providence, he has been able to repel the assaults of both of these classes of unprincipled advocates of treason; and, strong in his holy purpose to rescue the country from the machinations of its enemies, he has continued steadfast in the path of official duty. He may have made some mistakes, but they have been few, and it must be remembered that even those which have been more particularly referred to by his opponents were caused, not by ignorance, but by the exigencies of the occasion, which compelled him to give an important answer, or issue an important order, without being allowed the time for reflection which the magnitude of the subject demanded.

The importance, indeed the absolute necessity, of retaining Mr. Lincoln in his present exalted position, is now the popular belief, and from every loyal Commonwealth come tidings, pronouncing in language which cannot be mistaken, that he alone is deemed the proper person to rescue the country from its present danger. The Legislatures of fifteen States have declared that he is their choice and the choice of their constituents. Union Leagues, Conventions, and public assemblies of different political characters, have indorsed the decision of their legislative bodies; and the loyal people almost unanimously approve of the action which has again brought Mr. Lincoln prominently forward as the best and only man to nominate and elect to the Presidency. He has been tried, and not found wanting, and no better return for the perils encountered, the labors accomplished, and the benefits derived to the country, could be offered, than

his re-nomination and re-election, both of which are now almost as certain as that the Union Convention will assemble at Baltimore in June next, and that the election will be held in November. Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and California, have spoken, and, at the advent of the summer solstice, the other States will reecho the popular sentiments, as so emphatically expressed by their sister Commonwealths. He is no longer the representative of any particular political party, but comes before the loyal voters of the country as an indefatigable, incorruptible, public servant, whose multiform and perplexing duties have been faithfully performed, and who has no other ambition than to so administer the affairs of the nation as will be most conducive to its welfare. Throughout his Presidential career he has never failed to prove himself equal to any emergency that might occur. To use the words of a patriotic Philadelphian, even in the darkest hour of our struggle, when every thing seemed lost, and the feeling of despondency with regard to the future was so great that those who had been confident before lost all hope, he who was at the helm of Government-still maintained his self-command and a firm reliance in an overruling Providence, which, in due time, would order all things aright. Coolness, confidence, and courage, are only valuable when they are needed; and he who has passed through ordeals in which the possession of such qualities have been manifested, in no ordinary degree, obtains a hold on the confidence of the world which but few are fortunate enough to secure; men of extraordinary abilities, lacking these qualities, have, on great and trying occasions, too often demonstrated their incapacity for supreme command, like that which belongs to the head. of a great government. Considerations such as these will

make the people loth to part with one who, in the hour of trial, has proved himself equal to the emergency.

As an evidence of the sentiment to which we have referred, we publish the following resolutions, unanimously adopted by the Union League of Philadelphia, on the eleventh of January, 1864:

"Whereas, The skill, courage, fidelity and integrity with which, in a period of unparalleled trial, ABRAHAM LINCOLN has conducted the administration of the National Government, have won for him the highest esteem and the most affectionate regard of his grateful countrymen;

"And whereas, The confidence which all loyal men repose in his honesty, his wisdom and his patriotism, should be proclaimed on every suitable occasion, in order that his hands may be strengthened for the important work he has yet to perform;

"And whereas, The Union League of Philadelphia, composed as it is, of those who, having formerly belonged to various parties, in this juncture recognize no party but their country; and representing, as it does, all the industrial, mechanical, manufacturing, commercial, financial, and professional interests of the city, is especially qualified to give, in this behalf, an unbiased and, authentic utterance to the public sentiment; therefore,

"Resolved, That to the prudence, sagacity, comprehension and perseverance of Mr. Lincoln, under the guidance of a benign Providence, the nation is more indebted for the grand results of the war, which southern rebels have wickedly waged against liberty and the Union, than to any other single instrumentality; and that he is justly entitled to whatever reward it is in the power of the nation to bestow.

"Resolved, That we cordially approve of the policy which Mr. Lincoln has adopted and pursued, as well the principles he has announced as the acts he has performed, and that we shall continue to give an earnest and energetic support to the doctrines and measures by which his administration has thus far been directed and illustrated.

"Resolved, That as Mr. Lincoln has had to endure the largest share of the labor required to suppress the rebellion, now rapidly verging to its close, he should also enjoy the largest share of the honors which await those who have contended for the right; and as, in all respects, he has shown pre-eminent ability in fulfilling the requirements of his great office, we recognize with pleasure the unmistakable indications of the popular will in all the loyal States, and heartily join with our fellowcitizens, without any distinction of party, here and elsewhere, in presenting him as the People's candidate for the Presidency at the approaching election.