The Labor enquirer., 1885-03-21
"Man Does Not Know Himself"

For the Enquirer
Much excitement is aroused in the country
at present, on the labor question, by those
who would have laborers differently dealt
with. Justice to them, however, would be
Intellectual, unless other things were adjusted
A new system should comprise the whole
twelve groups of mans faculties, and the
labor question involves but three. There
should be no more of this poverty that is
prevalent in our country as we'll as others.
Man does not know himself. If he did, and
all would combine to do away with the mis-
cradle condition Of affairs, what happy
world we would have.
1t has been said to me numerous times that
God is infinite. and if he liked could make all
things perfect believe he is not. He does
not like the arrangement of society any more
than we do ourselves If he could make it
right, am quite sure he would never have
allowed it to be wrong. He is not an unjust
God. A wrong idea of him prevails. We
must use our knowledge for the benefit OF all
mankind, and God will give US strength to do
so ; and in the end, power over the men for
whom we are wearing our lives away. He
must leave us free to see the truth ourselves,
and not compel us to act before we see the
truth.
Christ tells US in MatthewXXIII, II to IA
"But he that is greatest among you shall be
your servant, and whoSoever shall eXalt him
self shall be abased; and he that shall hum
bic himself shall be exalted. But woe unto
you, Scribes and PhariSees, hypocrites! For
ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against
men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither
suffer we them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, Scrbes and Pharisees, hypo-
critics for ye davOur Widows houses, and for
a pretense make long prayers, thefore ye
shall receive the greater damnation." 1t
should be one comfort to the poor to know
that Christ condemns the very class who are
unjustly treating them, and continues through
the rest of the chapter to condemn them.
What those verses condemn is just what cap
italists and pretended Christians;are doing
now But day of retribution is at hand.
The capitalists and Christians think they
are right in giving as wages small portion
of what labor earns, and also give what they
call charity. What they give Is not charity.
How can the proprietors of the North side
Provident woodward in Chicago, call that
Christian institution? If 1t is charity to make
man work in the cold two or three hours
for fifteen cent meal of victtials, composed
of such vands as the proprletor's stomach is
too delicate for, then heaven deliver me from
charity The benefit and gain are all to the
proprietors. Oh, the wretched creatures; to
thus treat men, who have rightfully earned
much more.
You capitalists use us for the furtherance
of your welfare, and to accumulate your
wealth; then give US small portion of what
should be ours, and leave US to wander the
streets in the wind, snow or rain, shoeless and
hungry, while you roll in your tll-gotten
wealth. You are sure to be conquered. We
will not use unjust means to carry out our
plans as you have before, although they may
seem unjust to you since it reduces your un-
needed wealth. and gives all a just share.
CHICAGO, March II. , JosEPHA.