The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-07-13

the white classes who were degraded by the
blight of slavery men who believed that when
Lincoln was elected u Congo negro was to be
President. not like the men who are sent to take
their work. They have attended the free schools,
many have college parchments; they are rich
in knowledge of books. are well read in maga-
zines and papers. With pen Or voice they can
debate economic questions. They have served
their country in the day of battle, They I'm
derstand political economy and weigh we'll the
statistics of our Industries. They could main
tain their rights in the Legislature, On the floor
of Congress, or in the Senate. The papers issued
will compare with the state papers Of our Pres
idents. They only ask the rights the capitalists
claim and maintain. They want to be treated
as men. and receive for honest toll a fair share
of the profits under protection of the tariff,
They ask that diligence in business lift them
above pauperism and enable them to bring up
their children free from crime and fit for good
citizenship. For this they have organized in
interests OF labor. Many of their movements
have been managed by hot-headed men; they
| have made blunders, but today they are under
more skillful leadership. They are confronted
by amazing difficulties, strong and powerful
combinations before them in battle array i,
rash and igAorant people turn up in every con-
test to cause their good to be evil spoken Of.
Now the crisis of unparalleled magnitude has
| come. Politicians are on the alert TO make cap
ital of the contest. The Congress and Senate
are moving, the cry of blood is in the land. the
whole nation is stirred up as never before. and
questions vital to society are to be solved.
! What part shall Christians take in the i'm
pending confict2 1t clear we cannot escape
responsibility, Rich men viii be blind to the
right. and like Shyloek. call for the pound OF
flesh accordin g to the bond. The wage Garner
cannot carry himself VIGOROUSLY through the
contest without being swayed by passion at his
bitter sense OF injustice. The papers will play
the pendulum and go from side to side. Poll
ticians will weigh wealth on one side and vo tes
on the other. business men will keep clear ol
the boycott. Restless spirits will be busy, and
social doctors coptrive visionary schems; An
archists will scatter sparks regardless of ex-
plosions. The schools and pulpit should shed
light on these questions and spread before the
people the facls. We cannot hope for the par
tisan press to do this. The facts the people
should know and never forget are within reach
and should leaven the church, the pulpit shoulc
5 give no uncertain sound, and all should bt
issued by consecrated press. Thus healthy
, public opinion will be created in the light o
7 which the questions may be solved
t The Church should be active in promoting
harmonious relations between capital and IahoI
The peace and welfare Of souls, as well as tn
> prosperity of families and well being OF societ!
are in involved in the contest. The Churca shoull
5 be a dayman, a mediator, a peacemaker. show
ing an interest in both parties oil this strife
, That it show deep interest in the laborer i
r natural, because of the great number that suffe
with him and because capital is more likel
S to oppose labor than labor capital. The latte
class make the bone and sinew of our churches
4 and in oppression of them women and children
9 are the greatest sufferers. The church shoul
5 welcome both. The rich ana poor will meet Il
equality at the judgment bar. in the grav
. where all are going and in the house OF Go
they should meet for the Lord is the maker O
4 them all. The Brahmin will eat with Others i
the house of his God Wealth and want shoul
r freely banquet in the house of prayer for a.
S nations. In England the nobies and peasant
join in the same worship. In Roman Catholi
{ chur.hes high and low kneel at the same altar
! The grand old iron duke when at communion
e kneeled bes1de laborer when the ministe
b waved him away. Wellington said: Let hi,
t alone, we are all alike here %
| Our churches should not be the meeting plac
3 for sunday clubs, not bazaars of fashion or
+ show fine millinery but place of real frste1
: nifty. Men may have hands horny with toll, bu
d The mans the goud for a. that
e The rich should be reminded odo justly. loV
s mercy. and walk bumbly with God The
!, should be made to hear so they never. will fol
e get it, that tie laborer is worthy of his mir
The men clothed purple. who banquet 0
b dainties. and fare sumptuously every day, tn,
: we all came from the dust, are of GODS famil.
5 but must give account to God for the use of a
$ his gifts. They are to be offered robes of viii
. and bread of which they have never tasted an
IS treasures in heaven. The example of Chri
a who was rich yet Tor our sakes became poor.
e to be commended. The perishing character
e worldly good is to be pointed out. and trust
e the living God commended. The sons of to
S must be. urged to become sons of God. I'll
e poor must have the gospel preached. Shoul
IS labor MOTTO the meat that perishes. rather ft
the bread of life. To avoid passion and be MOT
9 crate and forbearing, turning from lust an
u every form OF intemperance. and be diligent
&c business. ferven in spirit. servants of the Lor
. What o, Thy Ii d Il ldeth to do. do it vii
= thy might