Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-29

correct and your actions eminently pru-
dent and conservative. The advice wnicn
l venture to offer you on this graAe ques-
ton have endeavored to condense into as
few words as possible.
WORDS OF ADVICE.
At no time perhaps in the history Of the
world hat this complex question Of labor,
its rights and obligations, engr0sSed so
much of public attention. as in our day.
The great mass of mankind are, in the
strict sense of the term, workingmen.
With the spread of popular governments
governments shaoed more or less directly
oy the SURFACES of the people at lnrge-lt
Is but notural that the interests OF the ma
jority should be more generally studied and
promoted But the true interests OF all
men, whether of high or low degree, must
be sought by such means only as are con-
sonant with I've eternal principles OF equity
and Justice. AS no Individual member OF
society is exempt from the laws OF his Dl-
vine Creator, so too no class of individuals
may claim such exemption. The grave
ques of labor and capital is not mere
economic question. II has its moral slde.
Indeed tits only by the light which relig-
ion sheds upon it, that it can be thoroughly
understood and satisfactorily settled.
/ do not presume to discuss it ia all its
bearings, for this could not be done within
the contracted space at my disposal. can
but lay down some of the general principles
involved, and briefly outline some few or
the practical conclusions resulting there
from.
THE DIGNITY OF LABOR.
1t is not an uncommon mistake to regard
work as a hardship to be avoided as far as
possible Manual labor especially is but
too generally viewed in this unfavora0le
light Perhaps the workman himself IS
not without some blame for the dishonor
supposed to attach 10 the condition 10
which he belongs. He seems 10 share the
too common sentiment that wealth and sta
ton alone impart nobility. 1t IS thus I'M
preston that creates and fosters mucn OF
the discomfort he feels with his lot Now
this false notion is as repugnant 10 the dlc-
taces of reason as IT, is TO the spirit OF our
age and country.
Honest labor of mind or body should
command the highestrespect. sinceltls the
very law of our being The mind is essen
TALLY active and mans truest NOBILITY Is 20
give that activity the proper direction,
that its exercise may contribute as iully as
possible to his own and to others happl'
hess. Whilst willingly assigning the work
Of the mind the highest rank, maintain
that the work Of the body is likewise most
honorable. II is the most essential condl-
ton for the preservation of health and for
the well being and happiness of the family
and society. Bodily labor IS the main
channel through which temporal
blessings Of every kind are diff
fused through the world. Ask the
laboriug men when he is most happy. and
he will assure you that it is when he IS
most busily engaged at his wonied employ
ment. Fiel the pulse of any large town or
city and you will find IL beats with most
regularity when all industries are thriving
under the busy hands Of the tOllers. Notn-
ing in fact contributes so greatly TO ooth
individual and social contentment as labor
in all its various forms; and therefore we
assert that there is dignity in honest Ia
Dor which cOmpelS the recognition OF an
good and great minds. In hepuDHc IKE
ours, where class distinctions are unknown,
labor, whether OF mind or body, should DC
one of the chief titles 10 respect ana honor,
and if our workmen are always true TO
their manhood. they may greatly contrib
ute to spread and uphold this correct view
OF the dignity Of their condition.
THE RIGHTS OF LABOR.
Whether a man labors with his hands or
his brains he has an iuGlicuabie right 10 a
fair compensation for the work performed;
= for the la1urer is worthy OF his hire
Luke Y. :. The principle Is as true in its
application TO classes as to lndlvIduais.
Innumerable indeed are the circumstances
which combine TO determine what ccusti-
stutes lair compensation, and 1t would be
impossible 10 regulate the value of labor by
any code of Interchangeable rules. But the
strict claim which tue workmen has 10 the
full value Of his services, admits OF no
question. 1t is guaranteed him by every
law, human and divine.
On this view Of the subject let me quote
to YOU few words from the admirable En-
cyclical letter published last year by his
holiness, Leo XIII. Let it be granted"
said the Pope, that as a rule workman
and employer make free agreements, and
in particular should freely agree TO wages.
\ evertheless, there is dictate Of nature
more imperous and more ancient ihau any
bargain between man aud men, that the
remuneration must be enough TO support
the wage Garner In reasonable and frugal
comfort. If through necessity or fear OF
a worse evil, the workman accepts harder
conditions, because an employer or con
tractor will give him no better, he IS the
victim OF force and injustice"
Another right of the laborer is the
choice Of his work and Of his employers.
Heis free TO select, within all honest avO-
cations the one best suited 10 his ability
and liking; FREQ also TO WORK or not, unless
by his refusal he violates an oDHgatlon
voluntarily assumed.
When he is convinced that his interests
and those Of his fellow workmen justly de-
mand concessions from his employer ne is
not debarred from expressing his couvlc-
tons and using all lawful means TO I'M
press these convictions upon others, and to
obtain redress OF his grievances.
Labor unions and like combinations
formed for the protection of the employed
against unjust exactiOns Of employers, or
for the advancement of the members in
terests in their various occupations, should
receive encouragement and support as per-
haps the most efficient means Of giving TO
labor the power TO which IL is entitled as
one OF the dual factors in the economic
world. When these organizations are
governed by the principles OF justice and
of prudence, and their actions are confined
within the bounds prescribed by the
laws OF God and our country,
thew will never fail to enlist public
opinion In their favor. The grert masses
OF the people in every country are the toll
ers. engaged in skilled or uDskilled labor,
and there is no question but what their in
terests. which are the interests Of the
country at large, are oest subserved by
wise combinations. The right Of thus
banding together for mutual protection
and cooperation no one would think Of de-
nying. 49,.
In his encyclical on "The Condition Of
Labor" already referred 10,
THE POPE SAYS
expressly that this right to enter into such
unions is the natural right of man; and
the State must protect natural rights, not
destroy them; and If it forbids us citizens
to form associations, it cOntradicts the
very principle Of its own existence; for
l.a.k d.. Id Il avist In rirtlle of the snme