Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln

by Jim Comerford

The findings of Karl Marx about the situation of workers in the capitalist system are well known among people of Left Wing persuasion. Less well known is how closely Abraham Lincoln's views corresponded with those of Marx. What Lincoln felt about the positive aspects of democracy and workers reveals the Bush, Blair, Howard trio as social atavists intent on destroying any possible worker opposition to their reactionary measures.

Could it be imagined that any of them would say as Lincoln did:"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." (Annual message to Congress,Dec 1, 1861)

Later he said: "And inasmuch (as) most good things are produced by labor, it follows that (all) such things of right belong to those whose labor has produced them. But it has so happened in all ages of the world, that some have laboured, and others have, without labor, enjoyed a large portion of the fruits. This is wrong, and should not continue. To (secure) to each laborer the whole product of his labor, or as nearly as possible, is a most worthy object of any good government. Upon this subject , the habit of our whole species fall into three great classes - useful labor, useless labor and idleness. Of these the first only is meritorious; and to it all the products of labor rightly belong; but the two latter while they exist, are heavy pensioners upon the first, robbing it of a large portion of its just rights... (Fragments of a Tariff Discussion. Dec. 1, 1847)

The following is quoted without reference to source or date: "An honest miner digs coal at about 70cents a day, while the President digs abstractions at about $70 a day. The coal is clearly worth more than the abstractions, and yet what a monstrous inequality in the price."

In an Address at Baltimore April 18, 1884, Lincoln said: "We all declare for liberty, but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may mean for some to do as they please with other men, and the product of other mens ' labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty and tyranny."In Lincoln's time there were powerful minority interests always ready to seek elimination of any forward working class effort; or to roll back whatever gains workers might have made. If he was here the great American President would recognise the same elements in Australian Big business and its current parliamentary satellites. He would surely have applauded the massive response of Australian workers to the 15th November call of the ACTU to demonstrate their opposition and outrage over what the Coalition atavists describe as workplace "reforms". About those atavists Lincoln warned :".... let them (the working, men) 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 fix new disabilities and burdens upon them, till all liberty shall be lost." (Annual Message to Congress Dec 3 1861) .

Marx and Engels called on" Workers of the world unite." So did Lincoln. He said "The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family, should be the uniting of all working people of all nations and tongues and kindred."

It is an infamous ploy of those backing the Howard - Coalition forces to accuse critics of being anti-American. But few if any among Left critics would be anti Lincoln's America. Old Abe himself would be averse to the interests that now dominate the American government apparatus.

Jim Comerford’s Notes: Most of the information contained has been provided by the The People, official organ of the Socialist Labor Party of America.

There can be some follow up writing about the identities of Lincoln, Marx and Engels contained in the outstanding work of Afro-American Marxist Phillip Foner, contained in his The Civil War In The United States -Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. Published by International Publishers and Citadel Press , both of New York it ran to three editions between 1937-1961.9

Jim Comerford, former General Secretary of the Miners’ Federation is a life-long researcher into Labor history. Soon his book on the history of Rothbury will be available in book shops.