The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-12
WAR WITH CAPITAL.
The Remedies for the Existing Troubles
Suggested in Yesterdays Sermons.
DR.. Gilberts Discourse at Meridian-Str
Church-Rev. o. C. McCulloch's Sermon
on Social SoIidarity-0ther Services.
THE LABOR PROBLEM.

AAAE - n
The Remedies for the Existing Troubles Sug-
gested in a Discourse b. DIR. Gilbert.
Rev. DR.. Gilbert delivered a discourse on THE
Remedy for the Existing Labor Troubles" at
Meridian-street church, last evening. As q pref
ace to the remedy he briefly stated the cause of
the trouble, as set forth In his sermon of the
Sunday preceding The Protestant reformation,
he said, awakened the spirit of liberty; the
opening Of the new world, with its inexhaustible
resources, and the establishment Of this Republic
as the asylum Of the oppressed, gave impetus to
trade. Thus our entire national life has been
fashioned by the love of liberty and the love Of
money. Under such a system intense business
competition was inevitable, and the struggle be-
tween men Of large property and those engaged
in manual labor was intensified by the multipli-
cation of machinery and the large immigration
from Europe Of people with false So
cial ideas. He then proceeded to discuss
the question of the remedy. Reviewing the
proposed measures Of adjustment, he said there
are some who look upon this as a temporary diff
fculty, which will work out is own cure, with
whom I cannot agree, believing that antipathies
have been awakened and forces set in motion
which will produce prolonged agitation until
wise methods are adopted for the redress of
grievances. Others, a very large and increas-
ing class, believe that the fault lies in the exist t.
ing social and political order, which ought, there
fore, TO be broken up. These are either Social
lists, calling for a ~fraternal system Of govern
ment. or Nihilists, who would sweep away what
we have, without proposing any new order, but
expecting a readjustment after the destruction
Of the old system. These teachings originated
in Europe. and are disseminated in all
parts of our country. Societies for
their propagation are found in many Of our cit
les, but Socialism and Nlhilism can never solve
the labor problem. American people will not
suffer the overthrow Of the existing order, and
working men who favor such measures are only
The recent strikes were attempts at the solu-
ton of the question. but must ever be- unproft-
able. 1t is conceded that every man has a right
to quit work at pleasure, but it is very unwise to
scale, to secure higher wages. for the price of la
Dor must ever be regulated by the question OF
supply and demand. A peaceful suspension
only gives the employer an opportunity
to engage other workmen, while a
forcible interference with business on the
part of strikers is a violation of
law, which cannon be long tolerated, and must
not only ALLEVIATE capital and laborers. but sub
ject the strikers to losses in the decline of bust
ness. In saying these things | do not wish to
apologize for overreaching capitalists who fat
ten on the earnings Of the poor, but as a friend
of the laboring man. l believe the strike is a
very unwise measure.
No good is likely to come through the efforts
of the Knights OF Labor, as now organized.
Their declared purpose deserves commentator,
but in the very nature of the case they will not
be able to accomplish what they seek, because
they must ever helm a measure under the control
of their leaders, and the character of the order
must, therefore, be determined by the disposition
of the leaders. The force of this point will ap-
pear in recent occurrences. Mr.. Powderly is
evidently a wise man, but MIR. Irons is a hot
headed Socialist The troubles in the Southwest
have been aggravated by the folly of the latter.
What would have resulted mad he been the head
of the order may be easily imagined, and in the
future there is reason to fear that socialistic
leaders will make this great order a machine of
mischief. The incendiary addresses sent out
from time to time are indications in this direc-
ton. Only last Friday, in the streets of East
st. Louis, members of this order were pleading
with their brethren to desist from acts of vio-
lence. Besides. there are traces Of socialistic
general assembly. That body set forth
twenty different items Of legislation, which they
proposed to secure by non-party action. While
some of Thorn are worthy, such as the establish
meut of labor bureaus. the reservation Of lands
for actual settlers and the prohibition of chilS
labor, other measures are proposed which are
oppressive to capitalists and destructive Of the
general good-measures which would be OPP
posed by a very large majority of the American
| people. Indeed, if the Knights of Labor, who
doubtless mean well, adhere to the platform
which they last put forth. there is nothing before
us but q prolonged struggle between capital and
labor. resulting, possibly, in the formation of two
political parties. In my judgment this problem
will vever be solved by law.
The solution of this question must involve two
points: There must be q recognition of the
value of labor and capital. These are the two
necessary factors of national prosperity. To
- 1-.-t~ - A. 49,
of the other will only cause distrust and prepare
for further conflict. AS a minister of Christ l
stand between these two great interests, believ-
ing that only when sthe rich and poor meet to-
gether" on terms of amitys can the good order of
society be secured. Whatever is done to this
end, whether it be in law or in business, method
must have the support of public sentiment, with
out which, in our own country, every law is a
dead letter. The question. therefore, comes in
this form: "What can so influence public senti-
ment that capital and labor shall be harmoni
ously employed. with profit to both" The answer
is not difficult.
have shown that the dominant. influences
of our national life are love of liberty and love
of money. Pushed to the extreme, the one be-
comes lawlessness and the other selfshness. No
military force, no REIMBURSEMENT of society, can
regulate two such monstrous qualities as law
| lessness and selfshness. Their end must be
| anarchy; but. held in check, the love of liberty
and love Of money will make a free and wealthy
people. We must, therefore, introduce a con-
serving element in our national life-a third
power. stronger than either OF the others, name
ly, love of man. This agitation reveals the sn-
| preme need Of the American people, and it will
| continue until that need is supplied. We have
attempted an impossibility-to bpild a Nation
on two principles-which, unrestrained. will
work obstruction. How shall this new force
be infused into the great social system2 First,
it is to be recognized. is one-half of essential
Christianity. In so far, therefore, as our religion
advances, the love of man will increase. Second,
inasmuch as many of the people are not Chris
tians, the Americans need to cultivate the spirit of
| neighbor love, holding in check the rank growth
of all those qualities that are characteristic of US.
and We must carry this spirit into all the rela-
tons Of life. Trades unions, corporations, bust
ness firms, agriculturists. manufacturers, in
short. business men in all relations of life, need a
higher regard for man. If this is not attained,
no matter what expedients are adopted to pre-