Some Abraham Lincoln Pro-Labor Gems

[teacher gal]

I read bvar22's post tonight, quoting Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower's pro-labor statements: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=608636&mesg_id=608636


It got me thinking about another Republican, Abraham Lincoln, and how far to the corporate "right" our nation has moved, to its peril. It is sad that big money has come to rule all. Balance has been lost. To me, having a decent standard of living is one thing but amassing lots of money and "things" is not the goal of life. How true the scripture that money is a root of many evils. I fear greed and materialism will have much more to do with our nation's downfall than terrorists.

We love Lincoln for his role in ending slavery, while acknowledging that he had his flaws. And his statements on labor were rather remarkable given that, as a lawyer, he represented what was probably the biggest business of his time, the railroads.

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." -- from Lincoln's First Annual Message to Congress, Dec. 3, 1861

"To secure to each labourer the whole product of his labour, or as nearly as possible, is a most worthy object of any good government."

Speaking in New England in 1860, Lincoln praised the right to strike, as was then being exercised by the shoemakers of Lynn.

On Capitalists:

"These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert to fleece the people, and now that they have got into a quarrel with themselves, we are called upon to appropriate the people's money to settle the quarrel."

And the following jewel, often attributed to Lincoln, remains mired in controversy. Lincoln may very well have said it but as far as I can tell, it cannot be attributed to him with certainty. Its authenticity has been disputed for over 100 years:

"As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money pjower of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the sfety of my country than ever before even in the midst of war. God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless."

No matter who said this, it seems to me this individual's suspicions have proved anything but groundless. The statement is every bit as relevant today as it was in Lincoln's time. You might say his foreboding has come to pass.

[teacher gal]

1. Spent a few hours some years ago

researching the quote on corporations. Guess it just remains a mystery.

[bluestateguy]

2. The "corporations have been enthroned" quote has been shown to be a sham

None of the Lincoln scholars (Doris Kearns Goodwin, Stephen Oates, David Donald, etc.) have found any support for that ever being said by Lincoln.

[teacher gal]

3. It's attribution to Lincoln may be a sham (or not)

but regardless who said it, there is a lot of truth to it. Back when I did a little digging on it, I did come away leaning more toward it not having been said by Lincoln. As I recall, his own son felt it could not be attributed to Lincoln.