Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-22
sooialism-The Eplscopal Congress.

. v
Socialism The Episcopal Congress.
II was hardly to be expected that the
Protestant Episcopal Congress in session
10 Washington this week would lead Of IN
the advocacy Of such schemes as seemed
90 find favor in the eyes OF some OF It's
members. However. the discussion was
decorously conducted, and the varying
views of the speakers we're presented IN
becoming manner. How difficult 1t VIII
be to bring the Church into the arena OF
politics without destroying its influence
or modifying the circumstances now sur
rounding IL, was manifested IN the su-
prane confidence felt in the soundness OF
their own opinions by several OF the
clergyman who took part in the discus
sion. Two Of the clerical speakers,
coming of course from the neighborhood
of the money centres. said in so many
words that the proposition TO coin SILVER
free was q dishonest measure. and that the
dollar OF the daddies was dishonest dol
lar, thus showing their ignorance OF the
subject they had undertaken to discuss,
and proving that preachers had better lot
such questions alone.
But the utterances we have just referred
20 we're more than Offset by what we may
pronounce the socialistic views presented
by some of the members of the congress.
Just here We will submit for consideration
/. question which is raised in q pamphlet ID
our possession, and which has not received
the attention It's importance seems TO de-
,nand, though it Is no doubt because it is
not deemed important that it Is overlook
ed or not answered. The question Is why
Is Il wrong aud sinful for man to use bis
superior physical strength 10 get his neigh
bors money away from them and right to
use his superior mental strength 10 accom-
plish the same object? Why is it right for
o man possessing superior abilities OF any
sort 10 use those abilities to push his per-
sonal fortunesf
Rev. Professor Coon, Of the Philadel-
phis Divinity School, being teacher, was
O student of social problems, and being
student was inclined to socialism. He
talked out In meeting" de began by
admitting that the present social system
was not violation of the command, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as myself" Here,
20 use common phrase, he seemed to
give himself away" However, he admit
ted Il was not following the Bibles teach
ings for the seller to try to get as much
money as he could for his goods and the
buyer to try to get all he could for no
thing. The articles you buy custon-made,
eaid Professor COON, are produced in drops
of blood, and tor bare, drearY
existence--just enough food to keep of
starvation and just enough clothes to keep
of freezing. People in reading the New
Testament close their eyes at convenient
places, and fail to see the words, How
hardly shall those who have riches enter
into the kingdom of Heaven" The wages
of labor suffice only TO supply the barest
necessities of hfe-to buy the meanest
kind of clothing and poor food fit only to
keep breath in the body. If socialism pre-
vailed there would be no army of the I'M
employed-uo rich mems sons going
around with their hands in their pockets.
"Imyself,n said Professor GooLD, know
what IL is not to be able to secure the
wherewithal to buy food" This speech
was frequently interrupted With applause
a significant fact indeed.
Rev. II. III. BAETLETT, of Delaware, was
a socialist, so TO speak. That is, he be
lieves society (not fashionable society, but
the community or body-politic) will in the
future be organized upon socialistic prinei
ples. SIR WILLIAM vERNoN HARcoURT hac
said. "We. are all socialists now" Chris
tianity demanded tair distribution of the
worlds wealth. Perhaps SO; but how
this end is TO be reached nobody can tell
All socialistic schemes fail. However, Dir
RAnrrrTr said that the faith of Jesu:
Christ was stirring tho waters. 1t NIGH
be impossible to say what forms socialism
would take. IL might be sometimes rid
eulous and sometimes dangerous. Tha
hal been true of religion and Of oil re
formatory growths Socialism must VII
its own way. Already many of our mos
important industries ara managed direct!
nv the State. We Judge that Mr.. Bartlett
would have the State take charge OF al
natural monopolies. be claimed that W,
ere already far on the way to socialist,
organization of society, and that this worl
cannot be stopped and ought not to b
feared.
OF course there were speakers on th
other side. The wiseacres mentione'
already who denounced dishonest dol
larsn--that is, silver dollars--were amoni
the number. Rev. JANIS +. ALsoP. 0
Brooklyn. read one paper on the subject
he defended society as ii stands. Social
ism, he said. was war upon all inyeet
ments. The result would be that mel
would live from hand to mouth. The per
centase OF profit aud interest going +
capital was diminishing. 1t is not true. b
maintained. that the rich are CROWN
richer and the poor poorer. Workngme
do not work as many hours as formerly
They and their wives wear better olothe
than they did twenty years ago. The
have pianos and other lExuries not dream
cd Of twenty years ago. The tenemen
districts In cities. he said. were standin
blot upon our civilization for which som
remedy must be found.
DR.. ArsoP went on at some length 1
thissirein. His paper was no doubt quit
rs well received As were the others W
have mentioned. He had majority Q
the congress With him, We suppose. IN
significant fact Is that tho minority wa
90 large. We regard al such discussion
with profound interest. They remind u
Of lost travellers cropping IA the dark. W
ses no remedy for the evils complained 81
bat no cannot claim TO havs any NOR
light upon the subject than tho man VII
b Surrounded by the darkest environ
:. iaknt- Theriehest men arc among the mos
wiling 10 consider these questions. The
z,ow what other people only guess at. q
fall even 10 guess st.
however. let us ell keep our face
turned towards the sun. The light wi
break upon tho world In due tune.