The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-16
LABOR VS.. CAPITAL.
The Subject Discussed at Length by The
Right Rev John ], Kan Of Wheel
ing, ". Va,
an Able Discussion from the Pulpit
Labor Unions and Similar sooie-
ties Considered

Y
On the last Sunday OF December
speaking from the pulpitof st. Joseph
Church, Wheeling w. Va, Right Rev
Bishop Kahn, who is Justly regarded a
one of the most learned and intelligen
prelates of the American hierarchy, an,
who has lately returned from an extend
ed trip throughout the country, having
been engaged in preaching q retrea
lately to the clergy of the diocese o
st. Paul, Minnesota, from which cit,
| he returned llomeWard by slow stages
stopping at various points to preacf
and lecture, a circumstance that gave
MIN facilities for observing and study
| ing the various phases OF the Labor
question, one that even in his own epis
cOpal city has of late assumed large
proportions on account of the difficult,
arising between employer and employe
OF the great corporations, addressed
bis flock On the great question of Gap.
ital and Labor" It is understood that
certain utterances repo1teM as being
made at the labor meeting held Satur-
day evening induced the bishopto de-
| liver this discourse. and while it was
largely extemporaneous, he only having
had an hour or SO in which to prepare
his notes, it was one of the most able
and polished discourses ever delivered
| by him. It was listened to with mark
ed attention by the large congregation
present, and was the cause of consid-
cradle comment during the after part
OF the day. The bishop took the pa
pers containing the reports OF the meet
ing into the pulpit with him and read
extracts from the reports in order that
he might not be misunderstood in his
references and in what he might say.
In opening his discourse he warned his
congregation against the false and dan
gerous principles too often enunciated
by those who advocate the cause Of the
Workingman, and reminded them of
the condemnation of socialism, COM
munisn, nihilism, etc, BY The present
Holy Father. Referring to the ine-
quality in the Pc session of the goods
of this life, he maintained that this
has always existed under every form OF
government, and that while it ua
its dlscomforts and it's iriseries, it is
not, to the good Christian, ylnaccom-
panied by it's corresponding advantages
and blessings. Both the rich and the
poor must be shielded by the panopoly
of the law. The rich may employ their
wealth as they please, provided they do
not infringe upon others rights; and
the poor man may labor when and
where he will, if he does not invade the
rights Of others. The man of wealth |
who invests his capital in industries
that give employment and means Of |
livelihood to many Of his fellow-men is
a greater benefactor than he who ties |
up his wealth in bonds and stocks or
boards it in his Office. But whatever |
be his responsibility to God for the use
of this worlds goods, he must he free |
from any restraint from his fellow men
to use it as he pleases. Like liberty I
must be guaranteed TO the poor man III I
the disposition Of his labor. He may I
work or not, but he must not be rob- I
bed by his fellow workmen of his right |
to labor. They may advise, they may
argue, they may use all legitimate /
means to bring him over to their way
Of thinking; but force they must not /
employ, otherwise they become guilty
0f the very tyranny which they are
wont to decrv i'll others. Labor unions,
ike all human institutions, may be /
good or evil, according to the means
hey employ. There is certainly no
-eaSon to condemn men for banding
together TO defend their
tights and promote their various inter-
ssts, and when properly conducted such
associations deserve and receive the en-
and blessing Of the church
But they may not use Legitimate
means. They may not employ force to
:ompel compliance with their man
iates; they must not infringe upon the
lights of others, must not destroy or
njure the property Of others; must not
lid defiance to the laws of the land.
: hen they resort to such means. Cath
lies must sever their connection with
hem: and they must moreover bear in
mind that an injury to the
OF others entails the /,
triet obligation of restitution.
Then, taking a higher view, the Bishop
etined the obligations which the gospel !
imposes on the rich, who should ever
GEAR in mind that. after all, they are
he agents and stewards of God. and ,
re bound 10 use their wealth accord
ng to the viii of Hin who is the only /,
master of all these things, He dweIt. ,
90, on the gospel teaching in regard 10 !
overty and the Ills OF life, and con- !;
rasted this doctrine with the false
aeories which the world holds as to 4
that constitutes the tue happiness of :
Ian. 1t is the denial of these sacred /
aachings. it is the spirit Of infdeIity i
bread In the land, from which both ! 4
lbor and capital have most to fear.
.oh the poor man of his Christian
nth; conEince him that there is no life
eyond the grave; persuade him that
here IS no happiness but that which
,ay be found IN time. and you make :
i'm most dangerous element Of any