Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-19
EpIscopAL cHuRcA coNoREss
Second Days Procesdingr-An Address
on Socialism.
[By telegraph % The Dlspatch.l

IBy telegraph % the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., November 1s.-Rev,
Reese +. AlsOp, d. D., Of Brooklyn, N. Y,
! opened she ssccni days proceedings Of she
Protestant Episcopal Church Congress this
morning WITH an address on Socialism. The
discussion OF this Subject showed q great differ
ence OF opinion among the delegates. bat de-
veloped the fact that quite q number of them
were ready 20 avow themselves Socialists. Dr.
Alaop, the 1rss speaker, urged adhesion TO the
present system Of social economies. He did not
believe that ths present conditions were 50 bad
as thoy were made out 70 be. Thrift had its re-
ward. enterprise rarely failed 10 reap its proht.
Labor, Thrift, capital, end enterprise had
wrought wonders, seconded by inventive genius.
Under Socialism ne believed there would Dc
Gimunitlon IN tho productive powers ot the
bitterly opposed 70 investment-hr George was
the leader Ia that movement
cAFITALs TENDENCY.
To expect thrift ana well being TO result from
such theories would 30 % expect tho stream 20
rise higher than its source. Ho combatted the
cry that the rich we're growing richer ana the
poor poorer. Interest aud profits were steadily
diminishing. The tendency Of capital was 70
push down pficIs, and so help the consumer,
who was the iabOrcr. While admitting the
| abuses Of trusts and vast mOnopohesr when
should be checked, he said ont OF every hundred
eggs the goose laid 90 per cent. az least went 70
the workman and not more than 10 per cent. to
Professor Gould, Of tho Philadelphia Divinity
School, did not believe this thirg Of trying In
business 10 get all and leave your competitor
nothing was tho proper spirit
BUSINESS DECEPTION.
The community which consumed the dealers
products was steadily pressing Tor cheaper
prices and the dealer gave them cheap pro
ducts-cheap and misty. Adulteraton was
general, business was deception and fraud, and
labor suffered, wages tending 20 the bare living
rate with nothing but work and sleep for the
iabOrer. The great evil was not that part OF
tho people we're made 70 be poor, but that those
who came together In the churches were 30 poor
IN spirit Socialism sought 10 have the commu-
n,ty take all business into ia own lnds- There
we're advantages In 10, but its serious evil was
the destruction OF individuality.
Rev. II. NJ. Bartlett, OF aontehonin, Del, the
next speaker. declared that gwen Christianity
democracy was sure to come after democracy,
Socialism would come. The writing was 20 plain
that all could read. it was only within the pres
ont century that the worlds fourth estate-la~
bOr-had come 70 be appreciated. IL was irnpos-
sible 10 say what forms Socialism In its develop
ment would take It might be sometimes ri0l-
culous and at times dangerous. That had peen
true Of religion AMI OF all retOrmatOry CROWNS
NsCoSCEPTIOM.
Rev. P. w. Sprague, OF Charlestown, Mass,
said the great number Of objections against
Socialism we're based upon an absolute miscon-
ception Of it. lie Was himself ayoTedly ana
openly a Socialist. HIS belief was founded not
on political economy alone, but upon his faith In
Jesus Christ. He felt that the fundamental
principles Of Socialism we're the ideals OF Chris.
tlAnity. The fundamental principle OF tho old
system was sel1shnesa, every man was 70 look
out for himself and think only Of himself That
was the business maxim. Socialism said We
we're not 20 carry on business for individual
profit, but II demanded the best service from all
Socialism insisted that God had not stultined
himself when no said; "Loye thy neighoor as
DISCONTINUED LABoRERs.
Rev. William Prall, OF Detroit, Mich, spoke OF
the prevailing discomfort among the laDoring
classes, based on their belief that they failed to
receive their share OF the worlds wealth. The
aim Of Socialism was justice, equality OF oppor-
tuBty. and possession. The duty Of the Church
was 70 teach men not 70 bo good Tor nothing, DuE
good for something good TO help their fellow
men. Not only we're tho political economists
going over 20 tho Socialists, but 80 were the
jurists. Chief-Justice COleridge had delivered
most significant opinion which showed the trend
0f the judicial mind. The principles OF Chris
tRntY and Socialism were the same, except
that Christianity went further than Socialism
vent further than Justice and even 10 mercy
~ A MINORITY.
Rev. DR.. Klrkus, OF Baltimore, said he was
sorry % hnd himself IN an almost hopeless
minority. The audience had been .old that they
we're all selfish ell cOyetous, all guilty OF the
basest meanuesa. Competition did not mean
selnshness; everybody knew that the seller flled
as useful part as the buyer. most radical
end stupid Interpretation had been given ID the
Scriptures. Religion vas never lcea than COM
mon sense. It never taught that must give II
Is asked, and q in turn must give 70 G, and 80
on. zigzagging back and forth. People could not
1.-Two a Weok On that principle When people
did not understand tho sermon on the
mount they could not be expected 70
understand John Stuart Mls political
economy. lie did not believe that anybody
knew what he wanted as vol as he did ninisei,
or that any considerable number Of people knew
better than himself what was good fOrhlm Was
brotherhood such potent word TO conluro
with All preachers called each other brother,
and Of course they no longer had any dlterelces-
H. aulftsr.l What Wonh bos'5me'of al ths nuc
arts under socialism. lou could not butter
read with a tine picture, 20 you would not oe
permitted 10 paint pictures, but must 80 20 work
In the helds. What would become OF the Tree
dom Of the press? Under our excellent Presl-
dent would Puck be permitted TO appear say
every Tuesday Would not religion be taken
charge Of, aud marriage, and every indlYlduAl'
HATED THE LANDLORD.
Henry George, Of New York, had boeu set
down az the next speaker, but as he was pre-
vented from attending the congress nom do
nestle reasons, Rev. j. o. y. Huntington, or
with what Dr. Kirkus had said, but from exactly
opposlto reasons. Ile was not a Socialist, bat no
recognized the fact that there was discomfort
among the people. It was shared ~ the young
doctor, tho young lawyer, and even the young
Clergyman as vel as the labOrer. But why VI
tdperate the capitalists Tho capitalist was
Woodworking mRn-the landowner was not. He
believed Il absurd 20 class the land-the GIT OF
GOd-as private property; he aid not favor the
division OF the land INTO little bits any more than
he favored the division OF the atmosphere-but
no hated the landlord. His title was blaspne-
nous. for thero was one landlord and the hu-
man race Were his tenants.
At the evening session the topic was "Ihe Re
latiOn Of the Clergy TO Politics" A number OF
papers we're read.