New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-20
THE COMPLAINT OF LABOR.

..'~ COW ORkEES.
G,,TCN, Feb. l9.-Whether the epiStles of
the APOSTLES OF hercsy" Of the Horticultural Hall
rou- win appear m the Bible of the future which
cu,c is 10 write according to Mr. Abbott is a matter
decidedly vague and uucerain hut certain it is that
tho lectures have awakened lively interest in very
large circle Of people When these dispositions
arranged for three years ago. Mr. Edwin Morton and his
friends little dreamed that the free discussion would
bring nto life rival OF orthodox lectures to
the heretca sayings of the advocates of free
- 10; or that Of the publishers OF Boston daily
Hcw-I pcrs would Toe threatened with withdrawal OF
orthodox support they Published full abstracts of the
ppc. read by the various gentlemen in the Horticul-
tnra Hall course. But these things are part OF the
written ami unwr,tten history Of this course.
and now the religious journals have added
this attempt at free discussion 70 the topics
which they commonly treat. Whether there is
any for thi, alarm, and whether the free thinkers
make any converts, are two questions which may be
covered by "no," in the absence Of any special in
formation the subject We have indication OF the
tendency Of the dcuson in the fact that the lady cor
respondents, of an orthodox turn of mind, who report
the lectures complain that their Seusbtes are hardened
by struggling with such subjects Intuitionalsin ast
iencc," " Immortality Of the soul" &c. ana deem
of the views advanced thoroughly wicked Whether
similar experience visits those who simply listen and do
not have TO master the essays matter Of conjecture
MT WATSON to-day turned the current OF thought IN
new direction selecting q tangible subject which seems
60 cmbody real form and substance The Complaint of
Labor" he said, is not what is considered religious
subject it relate directly to personal morals
but it does relate to the morale Of the community He
spoke Tor social health for the arrest Of social dsinte
grafton. which has been going and which. If 10 long
continue will only make the churches Of little ac-
count defeat the hope Of our civilization II was
loyal Of Old 10 do good on the sabbath day; 1t
seemed not less lawful TO strive for great
Hh. hp .ffQn
Mr. Wasson's views seemed 10 meet with hearty favor
from the audience. lie presents the condition Of the Ia
b1r now regrets that the subject i'm its immature state
has been carried into politics, gives Mr. Philips ana ms
friends some hard r3p, shows the natural subdivisions
m the question and lessons they teach gives those
c4norng for an equal distribution of wealth picture
Of their hopes realized shows that capital does not con
tent itself with making the rich richer and the poor
poorer and demonstrates that IL has accomplished great
good Mr. WATSON does not want The labor question to
20 under OF be swamped in politics and the only thing
his audience regre, is that ne had not time 70 give ms
ID OF the way which the leaks may be stopped This
lecture may draw reply from Mr. Phillips, but the
gnsss say that the latter is not ovcranXious TO meet
Mr Wasson and they 70 further, and state that Mr.
Phillips has not attended the meetings of the Radical
Club of late, or since Mr. WATSON cornered him most
eiecualy debate az one OF those gatherings several
months ago. This may be the fact and sill have no
spcca. bearing.
THE LECTURE.
The modern lanorcr is not contcnted In France Eli
gland the United states and c,owere, loud note OF
complaint is heard from those Who called the indus
tuaI classes Labor is dissatisfied with its lot BY
strikes by occasional conventions. by permanent com
buatO by word and deed this discomfort made but
100 manifest There are millions who believe that the
wlrkiucman is oppreSscd-that ne bears more than his
share of the common burden and gets less than his share
Of he reward. Labor earns more than it re-
cevcs and is defrauded." the cries Of the platforms
and those who do not assemble i'm conventions TO pro
claim this with the voice often think, or half think, the
1t is curious too, and in It's way significant that
the complaint oudc,t in country, where labor
is most in request wages highest and food, relatively to
wages. cheapest. "YOu see how it is growls Dives
the more the laborer gets the more he wants. the bet
ter on he is the less lie is satisfied. FIJI his
cup he presents a bowl; brm his bowl, and he holds
forth bucket hesitate and he reminds you that he has
an empty hogshead in his cellar one must put the 1901
down somewhere. and propose TO put mine down here
And puts the foot mp on an ottoman and turns 20
the next item in the newspaper But the matter Will not
De disposed of in this summary way. A widespread
discomfort indicates either an injustice on the one MANA
or prevalent maady the other. In either case the
matter is to De sOberly considered, and all the more so
berry if il be that the discomfort Is due only TO
moral disturbance. The abOIer must be heard Refuse
% hearing, and he is but the more pcruaded not only
that an injustice is done, but that it is done will
fully Let great numbers get that notion into
their heads, and soon or late social craze
will follow. say that the wOrkingman's mind may be
fun Of expectations that never be realized, and you
simply assert the existence OF moral epidemic which
needs immediate and careful study TO learn its nature,
il causes and its belief of that kind is widely
spread and spreading industrial classes here
and elsewhere and those who do not wait to be crippled
before they Will take pecautOn will give attention to 1t
without dcay Already precious time has been lost ana
DO our country the suit of labor has passed into politics.
I...., pqf lengf in my
-nch a shape Here n subtle, social disturbance dis
Indignation and Of classes, hidden or overt which
L u some way come Of the condition Of modern ciyza
ton.
POOR ADVICE FROM MR PHILLIPS
Whom WcudCD Phillips some years ago cOunscled the
laa~r. r4er, iu Faueuil Han to quit discussion and
resort 90 tae balot1oX he told them that the men in
political place care little FOR the right or wrong of any
matter and much for votes Therefore, hc said In
eject ge votes. make your term, with the coutonding
parties. 20 with the that bids highest. and will
have what YOU choose % ask. Now If the upon
ti- matter had been competed il 10y long patient ana
penetrating study; by consecutive and comprehensive
Thought: by concentrating lights from many minds by
inviting the tests Of criticism and giving them consider
ate by these methods the leaders Of labor reform
the contents OF their own minds and come TO
-acieut Understandings had discovered the goal 20 be
reached and che way To- II, and moreover had assured
themselves thai their light would become the guidance
of the multitude that should follow keeping the latter in
the right road steadily, and commencing desire and
ryl,crtaou firmly, that these multltudes might find
ives able 10 enforce any demand, night or wrong,
3 Vet never learn extend the demands beyond what
i. F.ght-thcn, indeed. this counsel might nave been
.Iy on r-d~ But he who advises the TdusiaiCnce OF
case 10 court whore according 10 ms own statement II
vl moi be tried IT. merits, should know wei before
b,ud Whit IFS merits are, and should well assure
ii,n..ff that the show Of force VIII represent
80 -ist -pUud rea son recommends. In the absence Of
M clear uudeIsa ding and firm assurance ms advice is
mos perious Aud, if the case be one whose decision
MI, denIv affect the whole community, and one, too in
winch his clients viii be the first 10 suffer- should they
succeed i'm forcing Oncsded irrational aoluuicatiOn,
tbe me peril Is grave indeed But the advice mas been
given and acted upon. Pieces OF paper pul INTO thg pal
i,tx determine what shall be done; but he m'Hd tIat
0os into the ballot box determines what sna bc ue
800 80 a. r,i,-e, Tho case of the Labor HCtOrmCIs