The morning news., 1891-09-20
POPE LEO AND LABOR.
His Spes ch to the First Contingent of
Pilgrims From France.

ROME, Sept. 19.-The pope to-day re-
ceived in the vestibule Of St Peters the frs
contingent of the pilgrimage of Frenchwork-
men, which was announced recently as hav-
ing been arranged. The pilgrims
numbered 1900. A majority Of them
looked like workmen in Sunday attire.
The pope was borne into the hall, seated in
the sedia gestatoria. He was received
with fervent acclanation by the
pilgrims. He seemed exceptionally
we'll. The usual paIlor Of his face was re-
placed by flush, evidently due TO excite
ment. Cardinal Langeniux, who headed
the pilgrims, read an address, in the course
OF which it was stated that in ali 200, 900
workmen were coming to Rome to express
TO the pope the gratitude Of the labor world
for his recent encyclical.
THE PoPE's REPLY.
In reply to the address the pope, in a
a voice which, although weak, was clear
and penetrating, said: "Great is cur joy
at witnessing the ardor of Christian France.
We are happy that our encyolical has CON
tributed TO tho elevation OF the working
men. Social and labor questions will never
find their true. practical solution in purely
civil laws Their solution is bound up in
precepts Of perfect justice, which
demand that tho rate Of
wages shall adequately correspond
with the labor done, and lies, therefore in
the domain of conscience. The mass of
legislation dealing directly with the outside
acts OF men cannot comprehend the dir5c-
tion Of consciences, The question
charity going beyond justice. Reli-
gion alone with its revealed dogmas and
divine precepts possesses the right to impose
on conscience that perfect justice and
charity. The secret of tho social problems
must therefore be sought in the action of
the church, combined with the resources
and efforts of the public powers and human
wisdom. We note with pleasure that the
heads Of important industries have already
studied the application Of our encyliclal,
and that your government is not in
sensible. Therefore, it is imperative
to act in all directions without losing pre-
cious time in barren discussions. The In-
disputaoie principle must he applied, leav-
ing time and experience to elucidate the OBJ
SQUIRE points, which are inevitable to prob
lens so complete. In your work be diligent
and docile, and avoid perverse men,
especially those coming under tho name
socialists" whose object is to overthrow
social order to your detriment. Form under
the high patronage Of your bishops asso-
Citations wherein you will find, as in
the second family, honest Joy, light in
difficulty, strength in conflict and main
tenance in indrmities and old age. Give
your children a moral and Christian educa-
tion that you may receive through them
and by wise thrift tranquil future. Say
on your return that the heart Of the pope is
ever with the heavy laden and suffering. "
The pope spoke for twenty-five minutes.
During this time he maintained a standing
position and was slightly exhausted at the
conclusion of the address. BE was strong
enough, however, to receive with digpifed
urbanity the leaders Of the pilgrims. who
knelt in succession before the throne, on
which be had seated himself after his
speech and kissed his foot. Twelve cardi-
nails attended the pope. After the reception
ceremony the pope was carried, again seated
on the sedia gesta toria, to his apartments in
the vatican, raising his hand in benedfction
as he passed through the crowd of pill
grims.