We often hear the opinion advanced that the laboring classes have gained nothing by the inventions and improvements of the age; and it being assumed that the profits of labor saving machinery are monopolized by the capitalists, we are told that the condition of the operatives, and, indeed, of laborers in every department of industry, is daily becoming more dependent. To well informed minds it may appear unnecessary to waste time in exposing the errors of such opinions; but it must be borne in mind that a large portion of the community form their opinions upon a very imperfect knowledge of facts, while many adopt the opinions of others without pretending to enquire into either the facts or arguments on which they are based. In an economical point of view, it may not be very important whether the true state of this subject be fully comprehended by every individual or not; but it must afford a high degree of satisfaction to every one to know, that the social condition, at least in our own country, has been greatly improved within the present century; and, to comprehend the important truth that every discovery or improvement calculated to increase the volume of useful commodities, or to lessen the labor required for their production, is so much gained to the stock of human comforts. But apprehensions are entertained that the capitalists will get more than their just dividends. This is an idle fear; for such a result can never be realised in our country, except perhaps in extreme cases, so long as the principles of our political and civil institutions shall be sustained. By prohibiting the entailment of real estate, we have compelled the capitalists to become merchants and manufacturers. In the first of these pursuits they are eminently useful in facilitating the exchange of commodities between different countries; and, in the last, they furnish the

machinery which enables an individual to produce as much in one day, as he could have done in ten perhaps without it. It may be true that the operation pays the proprietor a large profit; but this is no disadvantage to the operative, nor, to the community at large, so long as he keeps his means employed. In this country there is a mutual dependence of the proprietor and operative on each other; but in our opinion the latter holds the advantage in his own hands; for if not sufficiently rewarded for his labor, he can seek and find employment in other pursuits - but if labor cannot be obtained at fair prices, the machinery must stop; and if not lost entirely, the investment ceases to be profitable during the time of its suspension. In England, owing to the peculiar institutions and social condition of the people, labor is in the power of capital; and must so remain until important changes shall have been effected in the institutions of that country. There, the difficulty of changing from one employment to another, enables the proprietor to reduce wages to the lowest standard that will sustain the operative in a working condition; and consequently, all the benefits accruing from the discoveries and improvements of the age accrue to the capitalists; and hence, it is infered by many, that a similar relation between the proprietor and operative, must necessarily take place in this country. But, were there no other cause, the cheapness of land and the demand for agricultural labor, would afford protection to our operatives against the power of the capitalists for a long time to come.

But men say that, notwithstanding the invention of labor saving machinery, the use of steam as a motive power, and the thousand other discoveries and improvements of the age, they are still compelled to work. This is very true: and were it otherwise, we should regard these improvements as a curse rather than a blessing. But have not their means of comfort been enlarged? are they not better clothed, and, have not many items been added to their bills of fare? are not their children better educated, and their wives and daughters relieved from much drudgery? Let us see how the account stands at the present time an individual receives about the same price in money for the labor of a day, or a week, as he did from thirty to forty years ago. The average prices of bread and meat, owing chiefly to improvements in agriculture, are lower now than they were then, by perhaps twenty per cent.: and owing to the introduction of steam as a motive power; the construction of railroads and canals, and, other improvements in commercial economy-sugar, coffee, and other articles of comfort, are obtained at less than one-half the prices which they cost the consumer, from the year 1810 to 1820. And owing to the improvement in machinery, cotton goods do not cost the consumer more than about one-fourth the price that

he paid for them during the period above mentioned. Woolen goods, also, of the qualities used by the laboring classes, have declined in price nearly or quite one-half, within fifteen years; while there is, perhaps, not a solitary article that was in common use twenty-five years ago, that has advanced in price.

For proof of these statements we refer to sundry communications from manufacturers and others, to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, which are published in his annual report for the year 1849. The most of these communications refer to prices ranging through a period of fifteen years only, but it is doubtless remembered by every individual of long experience, that prices had greatly declined during the period of twenty years preceding the year 1835.

At page 765 of the report to which we have referred, we find a statement of the average prices of sugars, American and foreign, for fifteen years, in Philadelphia, from prices current furnished by Isaac R. Davis, of Philadelphia, November, 1849. The average price per 100 pounds of New Orleans brown sugar for the first three years of this period ranged from 7.92 to 8.83: in the last three years of the period, the article had declined to an average of from 4,71 to 5.71, the quotation for 1845 being 8 1-4 to 9 1-4, and in 1849, 4 1-2 to 5 1-2 per lb. Refined sugar is quoted at 16 1-2 to 17 cents in 1835, and at 8 1-2 to 8 3-4 cents in 1849. During the same period of fifteen years, the decline in the price of coffee kept even pace with that of sugar: and from the gradual falling off throughout this period, we are induced to conclude that the decline in these articles may be regarded as permanent. It is not a little remarkable that the decline in the prices of cotton and woolen goods, bear a very near proportion to that which has taken place in sugar and coffee. The price of plain osnaburgs at Lowell, in 1835, is quoted at 14 1-2 cents; in 1849 an article of the same weight and quality is quoted at 7 1-2 cents. In 1835, stout brown sheetings, 37 inches wide, weight 2,85 yards to the pound, is quoted at 12 cents per yard; in 1849 the same article is quoted at 7 cents per yard. Shirtings, which sold at 10 cents in 1835, are quoted at 5 3.4 in 1849. Printed calicoes which averaged 17,83 cents per yard in 1835, were sold at the average rate of 9.28 cents per yard in 1849; and, calicoes, which averaged 8 86 cents per yard in 1835, average but 3.95 in 1849. Broad cloths, which averaged 4.12 per yard in 1835, declined to an average of 2 00 in 1849. Cassimeres, which averaged 1.87 1-2 to 2 00 per yard in 1835, fell to an average of one dollar per yard. Satinetts declined from 95 to 55 cents per yard, and Andover scarlet flannel declined from 38 to 21 cents during the same period.

Implements of husbandry, hard-ware, and indeed almost every manufactured article have also declined very much in

the last fifteen years; though the average decline in the price of these articles, is perhaps not so great as that of those we have enumerated.

This great decline in prices, is a gain to the laboring classes who constitute the great body of consumers in every country; and if, as we believe, the average money price of wages is as high now as it was in 1835, the profits of labor have increased at least fifty per cent. since that time; and we are warranted in the conclusion that according to the true principles of political economy, the wealth of the nation has been increased in an equal ratio, by the introduction and use of labor saving machinery, and the improvements which have been made in the useful arts.

When we contemplate the means by which this wealth has been obtained, we perceive that the source whence they were drawn may be regarded as inexhaustible; and we have no reason to doubt that each year will become more and more fruitful in works of art, until labor shall become what it was designed to be by the Creator, a pleasing exercise, imparting health to the body and gratification to the mind.

The community have not yet realized the extent of the benefits which have accrued from the discoveries and improvements of the age; for although these benefits increase with astonishing rapidity, yet, their developments are so gradual, and, withal, so universal, that they are scarcely observed except when we stop to compare the present with the past. We have been in the receipt of the profits of labor saving machinery, of steam, and many other improvements for years, and have been so ignorant of their extent, that we have felt little gratitude to those who have contributed so much to our comfort.

Had these profits accrued in the form of money-had wages been increased fifty per cent. by the combined action of a few chemists, plodding inventors and obscure mechanics, the thing could have been appreciated; and, these philanthropists would have been chronicled to future generations as the benefactors of their race. But like the dews of Heaven the fruits of their genius and benevolence have settled on us, and around us; and but few knew, or haply cared to know, whence they came.

The benefits which we have been considering, are obviously traceable to the intellectual faculties of man as their source, and afford a brilliant example of the superiority of his mental over his physical powers, and show, furthermore, when rightly considered, that the products of the mind cannot be monopolized, as can those that result from physical labor. Capitalists may monopolize labor saving machinery, or a railway, but as long as they keep them in profitable operation, the profits must be shared by the community in common not in the form of dividends, it is true, but in a way far more beneficial; for each

individual possesses an inalienable interest in their benefits that no act of improvidence or folly can deprive him of, so long as he lives and besides, the community have a strong guaranty that the operations will not be discontinued-for as soon as they stop they cease to be valuable to the proprietor.

We have taken this cursory view of the subject, for the purpose of calling attention to the great principles involved in labor saving machinery, and in works of internal improvement. Similar views may have occurred to others, but we are persuaded that the vast benefits accruing to the community from these sources are not generally appreciated, nor are they fully comprehended.

We invite those who entertain prejudices against manufacturing, to examine our facts in respect to the decline of prices; and, if they find them true, then let the man who labors for the support of a family, add up the bills that he has paid within the last year for sugar, coffee, clothing, and other articles of necessity and comfort, and ask himself whether he could have paid for all these things out of his daily earnings, in case their prices had been double that which they cost him. Having ascertained the amount of these bills, he will have discovered about the true extent of the profits accruing to him annually from the operations of machinery, and other improvements; and, if he can realize the true state of the case, we think he will experience a feeling of gratitude to those who have been instrumental in furnishing his family with comforts which they could not otherwise have enjoyed. And if he should fully comprehend the subject in all its bearings, he will cease to fear the encroachment of capitalists, so long as they invest their means in machinery and works of improvement.

Few subjects open a more beautiful field for reflection, than the one under consideration: we delight to trace out its bearings on the moral condition of the human family; to contemplate the era when the generous horse and the patient ox shall be set free from their labors; when the soil that now sustains them shall be appropriated to the support of intelligent and happy beings; when the conquest of the invisible powers of nature shall be complete, and mind assume its legitimate control over matter. Nor are these mere shadows flitting across the field of the imagination. Who does not contemplate these ends as attainable, must admit that the Creator enjoined upon man more than he was able to accomplish, when he charged him to multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.