Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-04

| 10 Wc EutW W "c D'SP"'"'
The following letter, although written
some time ago, may be OF interest to
some of those who have read DR.. Sprigg's
editorial copied into your issue Of Sun
day. believe this letter will show the
question in point in its true light, be-
cause the reverend writer began at the
beginning Of the question and not in
the middle, as DR.. Sprigg has done.
G.
| Mr.. j. NJ Shelton:
Ny Dear Sir,-You place me under
obligations for your generous references
to my discourse Of last Sunday eve
ming. Indeed you do me too much
honor in attributing to me sentiments
which, in your judgment and obserya-
ton, are broader in their sympathies
than those which usually proceed from
our city pulpits. Without ever con-
sulting my ministerial compeers Of my
own and other denominations on the
subject, take it as matter of course
that the truths which threw out Sun
day night are just such as their concep-
tons of Scriptures and ordination obi
cations require them to utter on all
proper occasions. My deliyerances
were made in the spirit Of my Master
without fear, favor, or Affection"
"with malice toward none and with
charity for all" and solely for the in
struction Of my people on living ques-
ton involving practical righteousness.
In this | have done nothing more than
my duty, which strive always to do
so far as have light and liberty.
Christianity. as it seems to me, offers
Isthe Only practicable and peaceful solu-
ton OF the difficulties growing out OF
the conflict between capital and labor.
When the issue is joined it is for the
Church Of Christ to place one hand on
capital and the other on labor aud call
a truce, and afterwards become media
tor and reconciler. Jesus was the
friend Of the poor. His religion is the
defence Of the oppressed, the support
of the weak, the educator Of the igno-
rant, the champion Of the obscure, the
redeemer of the sinful and erring, the
only bond Of genuine, hearty, self-re-
specting fraternity among men. These
great and blessed truths are funda-
mental to the Christian system, and to
conceal them, modify them, or hold
them in allegiance, in fact not to freely
and fearlessly publish them, is treason
to Jesus and reputation Of his sys-
TEN for the harmonzation Of society.
The principles of association and
dissertation for mutual protection and
aid enunciated in the Acts Of the
Apostles are at the foundation of most
Of the modern cooperative brother
hoods whose tenets | have examined.
Without affirming it, without know
ing it, perhaps, or even being willing
to confess Vie fact, your Union " is
indebted to the example Of the early
Christians for whatsoever is fair, hon
orable, and peaceful in the methods
you employ for cou1teracting the az
gTessions Of corporations or capital in
the position Of superintendent or
command. SO far as you depart
from those methods you become
unchristian. antagoniIe Christian sen.
timent, and being opposed to the
fixed fiat Of Omnipotence, must ineyi-
tably fail OF achieving lasting success.
1t was my aim to point out certain ex-
ampleS Of what ! deemed honorable
and Christian instances Of progress and
triumph on the part Of cooperative
brotherhoods. | declared then, as |
do now, and will always and every
where, that it is the right and, in my
judgment, the duty of laboring-men to
withdraw their patronage from any
body, association, or firm which know
ingly and willingly pursues course
injurious to their inalienable rights,
if 1t can he incOntestably
established that such body or associa-
ton or firm or private person coun-
tenances and supports the employment
Of convict labor in competition with
honest, sober, and industrious work
men.
These propositions appear to my
mind so plain, reasonable, Christian,
that ! can hardly see what New-Testa-
ment ground there is left for any who
might have the temerity to oppose
them. Their adoption and enforce
ment universally, so far from promoting
discord or strife or alienation between
the msgnanimous rich and the honest
poor, will happily and speedily restore
mutual confidence, respect ard coope-
ration. Against all revolutionary
measures lift up my solemn protest.
In advocating the right of withdrawal
of patronage from any clear. I'M
mistakably-demonstrsted example of
oppression, | do it with the distinct
understanding that it is unchristan to
seek revenge, to traduce reputation or
character, or to produce in any way
except by quiet, orderly. peaceful, self
respecting Ostracism. Even when OStra-
cism is resorted to care must be taken
to preserve the spirit Of charity and to
show that You are prepared to pray for
them who q" deSpitefully use you
and persecute you,,,' if any such there
be.
This much | say in answer to your
note and as substitute for the request
you make of me. You are az liberty
TO make any disposition, private or
public, OF this communication which
may recommend itself to your ludg-
ment or be calculated to subserye the in
terests of the Richmond public. As a
citizen, as patriot, and as a minister
Of Jesus Christ, | have no other desire
than the highest welfare Of the commu-
nifty in which God has cast my lot.
With best wishes, sincerely yours,
WILLIAM W. LANDRUN.
Richmond, Ia, May e, 1885.