St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-19
THE LABoKING MEN.
Rev. William Wilkinson Delivers
an Interesting Address.

h0V. William W1lklnSOn, Oh 81. An
dreW's Episcopal church, again adj
dressed workingmen yesterday after
noon in the Bijou opera house on MAN,
Material and Duty" He said modern
research had changed many things. 1t
has shown that in nearly every realm
we have to change, alter and modify
our opinions. No man now can believe
that the world in which we live is the
center or even one of the most impor-
tant parts ofsthe universe; but rather
that it is a small part of one vast whole.
So our scientists, or some of them. kind
ly tell us that as we have had to reform
our ideas in regard to our world,
so we must correct our views of
the relative value of man. Says
Draper, we are about like
cloud of flies on summers day. We
are of little account or value. The root
error in all this is that it considers size
alone, and on this logic diamond is of
less Importance than brick. In the
discussion of all social subjects it is
needful to assume that man is different
from the world upon which he treadS,
the powers by which he is surrounded.
or the animals he owns. If this be not
so law is mOckery and virtue name
alone. What has mere magnitude to do
with such subject as this is? The SOli-
tary grandeur of the noblest mountain
ranges are all unconscious of their past,
present or future. The majestic mo-
tons of all the worlds are oblivious of
even movement. And as to the animal
world, it has no conscience. No Bengal
tiger was ever sorry for having killed a
lamb, nor was any African lion ever
filed with remOrse for having killed
lit ri ic = l,o af
He commits murder; no one knows, he
is not even suspected. The guilty
knowledge is profoundly secret for
long. weary years, and at last he makes
confession, though it costs his life to do
so. All this goes to show that man is
made on a different plan, adapted for
different ends; designed for nobler life.
Whoever, for any purpose. contends for
low place in the order of the universe
for man, cuts. by that very act, the sim
ews of his nOblest pleas. so far as MAUI
ual labor is concerned, in the social and
economic system of the world. If man is
! of the earth earthly, and only amongst
machines more highly developed
| piece of mechanism: if living he is of
| ignoble birth, and dying done with.
then it matters little about two hours
work more or less day; for morals are.
> y
may be justified. No matter where
! these degrading views of man are found
| their results will always be vile and
always bad. The wageworker has the
deepest personal interest in keeping
before the world exalted views of his
own nature, being and mission. for it is
| to him right hand of strength in his
conflict with greed, selfishness and
| tyranny. Because he will always find
allied with him the highest instincts of
the purest ana honest of his fellows,
who will form a tribunal of public
opinion to which he can with conf
dence appeal, and which in the end can
| and will see justice done for all the OPP
pressed. If proof of the operation of
this law is needed it is found in recent
struck for better pay; they had no
wealth, no trade organization, at first.
John Burns came to their help, and he
placed the issue on high moral, more
than on economic grounds; and for the
| first time in history, the skilled trades
struck to help the laborers. Men of
wealth Of every party and in all parts of
England sent cash. The bishop of Lon
don, Cardinal Manning and the mayor
of London all gave advice, help, and
strong public support. What was the
| result? Inc COCK men got what they
asked. Is shipping ruined in England? Is
itdamaged? No. Every man connected
with it is better. No cause was ever
placed on higher moral grounds. Man
| as man was never more exalted in all
his conflict with wrong, and no such en-
! thusiasm has been seen in England
since Wilberforce liberated the slaves.
| In this world, in his own realm, then.
man is supreme, and the accidents of
birth, the advantage of knowledge, the
| power of genius, though great and very
useful, cannot and ought not to place
the individual or the class out of touch
and sympathy with the masses. No
wealth, though mighty, and when
rightly used a power for good, must
| cause us to lose sight of the prime fact
that man, independent of all these out
ward circumstances is more valuable
than the inanimate things around him.
We plead for the universal education OF
the race. The discoveries of transcend
ent value have not all been made by
| men who had the greatest privileges:
but as loveliest flowers not seldom are
found in secluded spots, so from humble