The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-06-05

Knights Of Labor, and those present
eulogized his able effort in their
behalf.
Among all the organizations in this
country engaged In the work OF better
ing the condition Of humanity, nom de-
serve to take higher rank than the
Knights OF Labor. Whatever may be
their ultimate design in the evolution OF
society, certain it is, that they are do
ing q grand work in the way OF educa-
ton by enlightening their members on
all the issues upon which our social and
political system is based. They do not
confine themselves to any nation, ere ed
or church, but,
"There is a Wilderness in their workings,
Like the Wilderness Of the sea-"
They use all the means within their
power to inform themselves and further
the interests of their cause. In Jul ef-
forts for enlightenment, an invitation
was recently extended to the ministers
of Rapid City, to devote one sermon to
the subject OF poverty and it's rene
dies" We are glad to note that the in
vitation was willingly accepted by most
OF the clergy, and no doubt our order
will be greatly benefited by these dis
courses. Some Of the clergy however,
we are informed, declined the invitation
on the ground that it was a question OF
economics and in no way allied with re-
ligion. While we are not disposed to
cavil at their decision in this matter,
the question naturally arises, as to
what can be the mission Of any church,
if it is not to better the condition OF
mankind? The questions which they
were asked to discuss underlie the very
basis principles Of society and upon
their success or failure must hang
the veal or woe of the millions
who are daily struggling with these
issues and trying to evolve somem method
to raise above this present condition.
Possibly theology does not stop to con-
slider the illimitable resources OF our
country and that want-plnccd millions
are struggling for al opportunity tocon-
vert those resources into wealth with
which to build churches and educational
institutions for the very men who now
uphold an industrial system that lies
whitening in the dust with a slip O.
parchment around it's throat, which al
the will OF the money power, may al
any time he transmitted into links o
triple steel.
In'the face OF the very fact that only
a few years ago many thousands o
people were iudicially murdered for thu
now impossible CRIME OF witchcraft ant
in view OF the present illustration, WI
may well conclude that mental, mora
and material growth does not always
proceed in the same ratio even il
churches. That while in some a broat
and liberal christianity is taught, II
others a refux OF combined civilization
and barbarism Of the past is tenderl,
and tenaciously adhered to, because tn
minister has not the time or talent t.
keep pace with advancing thought. w
have no desire to find fault with an.
church or minister because we bclicv
that in general, they are striving to Leaf
the modern world into larger liberty
broader light and higher truth. And
we follow their teachings it will be out 0
evil and ignorance and darkness tt
knowledge and a higher state Of -c~iviliza
ton. But we sometimes think with tn
poet:
And ministers there are who are preachin
today,
Not to better the world, but to block the way.
The influx OF Hebrews into London i
considered a serious menace to the pros
perity Of England. The labor market i
already overcrowded and it is with. tn
greatest difficulty that the INDECENT poo
are cared for. Thousands OF exiled Rus
sian Jews now in England would com
to America but for the recent rigid en-
forcement Of our immigration laws. !
movement Is on loot by the labor or
CARNATIONS to keep out paupers. TIL
United States has ceased to be tn
dumping ground for criminals and ur
desirable subjects OF Europe.
In the upbuilding of q new country n
one can foresee the exact point at whic
the future metropolis will be located
Cities, like men, Are in a certain meas
ure limited in their growth by their SUI
roundings. Yet some men have it inner
emit in their nature to rise above thei
surroundings and attain emlneptsuccess
So some cities owing to the men OF eS
ceptional business capacity who contrc
their destiny, grow and thrive and be
come great centers OF population an
busy. hives Of industry. Observation
shows that the growth OF any town a
first depends largely upon the tact. pus
and energy OF its business men. After
certain point has been reached in it
population, it appears to secure som
latent force from within which gradual.
expands and attracts capital and pop
ulation which soon place it beyond tn
power Of croakers or bicklers to stay it
rapid growth. Notwithstanding Rapit
C;ty's enviable location and favorable
surroundings our growth up to the pres
emit has been slow and at times retarded
by those who should have used all theil
energies in forwarding it's interests. w
believe the pivotal point in the cities
growth has now been reached and tha'
it is the duty OF every citizen to do al
in his power to see that welosen no oppor
tunity for advancement. The laborinI
men and ranchers instead Of finding
fault with wages and the markets ant
crying hard times should set themselves
to work to imprave the times. Both ar
an important factor in our growth
Many will run down the town and som
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