The Labor enquirer., 1885-04-04
swI1re,s BRUTALITY.

InOuGQ We arc uouociatO hoeion
yet the difference between thu value of
the lives of those called the upper
classesn and the lives of common folks
Is very remarkable, taking the snobs at
their own estimation of themselves. Let
honest men strive to avoid becoming
$4,000 per year victims of culture A
wretch in rags feels some regret at being
a wretch, but take victim of his own
conceit, professor one who has
gained fame by "uttering plntitudes in
stained glass attitudes" one who pricks
popular prejudice just enough to be
piquant, and you will find & man that
places value on life according to the
salary that the Individual nay com
mand, and who may reach the lowest
depth of moral degradation and not
know it. He will prescribe treatment
for poor men which, if applied to rich
would be horribly improper. His SYM
pathy, or rather his selishness, for he is
incapable of sympathy, is With the
tyrant who contributes to his salary.
For despicable unconscious yillainy
we recommend Prof. David Swing, Of
Chicago. We may despair of seeing any
progress when we remember that he ad-
dresses several thousand people weekly
who think his words bright jewels. Be-
sides his $4,000 per year for universal,
,meanness he writes leaders for the
Weekly Magazine in order to exc out a
frugal existence. 4
In that journal for March fourth he
gives his opinion that though England
carries fire, sword, death and misery
into foreign countries still we should
pray that her dominion should increase,
because of the civllizationQ) which she
radiates. Just look at the sacrifice this
philanthropist is willing to make to that
end: -.gF.. .. e. .-
g So desirable does it seem that old
England should increase rather than de-
cline, that many of us Americans cherish
wish that she might have hundred
thousand Of our idle men FOR Winter
campaign in the soudan. But for the
distance and the peril of climate, that
part of the Egyptian tangle could soon
be Strengthened out by the multitude in
this continent who are just now out OF
any visible means of support.
The complete serenity of this brutality
is appalling Anarchists talk of blood
when they are starving. and what a
crime it is! But this velvety fend
calmly sends men to death in the same
tone that he would send children to a
picnic!
Dear old England is in a dilemma.
There is an Egyptian .angle." How
nice If we could send 100000 of our free
paupers to ravel out tie tangle with
their lives. And for what would they
fight? For libertyP No, the reverse.
They would sustain a heartless despot-
ism in power and encourage 1t to spread
its bombshen civilization still further.
What is the crime for which these
men are to be sent from their homes to
be shot at by other men who are defend
ing their homes? They are idle; that
is the only charge. Prof. Swing up
holds the system of private ownership
of land, capital and machinery which
system alone pauperizes our freemen.
Unfortunately his salary depends upon
the same system and makes him view
with such eomplaisance those crowded
out of the world. A man who can
.coolly send others to death ought to
meet death with coolness. II dynam-
tiers begin to operate, who will be more
likely to receive attention than those
who recommend the diet for others?