The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-29
BISHOP KAiN's ADDRESS.
Hs speaks EiOqnsnty GA tao, Olgn.ty
Rights aud Daty of Labor.

He speaks El1qhHn'S o" H'e' @"AHHS
Rights aud Daty Of Labor.
Ri. Rev. Bishop Kahn was introduced
and received with much applause. He
spoke eloQuently as follows:
Respected Chief and Members OF the Brother.
hood OF Locomotive Engineers;
Having accepted with pleasure your
invitation TO address you OH this occa-
sion whom your membership is so
largely reprepresented, have chosen
for tho subject OF my remarks, "The
Dignity, Rights and Duties OF Labor"
i know OF no moro appropriate
theme, as you are among the most IN.
telligent representatives Of labor, and
as body have shown yourselves among
the most conservative opponents OF its
dignity, its rights and its duties. 1t is
conceded, | think, on ali sides, that no
class OF American workmen deserve
higher praise for their sobriety and
fidelity in tho discharge oil their respon-
sible duties than our locomotive en-
gineers. Such body must exert pow
erful influence in moulding tho opin-
ions and directing the conduct OF those
engaged in other avocations. Hence,
the greater reason why your views on
tho burning question of labor should be
correct and your actions eminently .pru-
dent and conservative. The advice
which venture to offer you on this
grave question l have endeav0red to
condense into o. few words as possible.
AT no time perhaps in the history OF
the world, has this complex question
OF labor, it's rights and obligations, en-
crossed SO such 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 pop
ulargovernm nts-governmentss shaped
more or less directly. by the suHrages OF
the people at large-it is but natural
that the interests OF tho majority should
be more generally studied and promo
ted. 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 the eternal principles OF
equity and justice. As no individual
member Of society is exempt from the
laws of his Divine Creator, so too no
class of individuals may claim such ex-
emption. The grave question Of labor
and capital is not a mere economic ques-
ton. 1t has its moral side. Indeed 1t
is only by the light which religion sheds
upon it, that it can be thoroughly un.
derstood and satisfactorily settled.
l do not presume to discuss it in all
its bearings, for this could not be done
within the contracted space at my dis
posal. can but lay down some OF the
general principles involved, and briefly
outline some few of the practical con-
illusions resulting thereform.
THE DIGNITY OF LABOR.
It is not an uncommon mistake to re-
gard work as hardship to be avoided
as far as possible. Manual labor es.
pecially is but too generally viewed in
this unfavorable light. Perhaps the
workman himself is not without some
blame for the dishonor supposed to at
tach to the condition to which he be-
longs. He seems to share the too COM
mon sentiment that wealth and station
alone impart nobility. 1t is this i'm.
preston that creates and. fosters much
Of the discomfort he feels with his lot.
Now this false notion is as repugnant
to the dictates OF reason as 1t is to the
spirit Of our age and country.
Honest labor OF mind or body should
command the highest respect, since it
is the very law Of our being. The mind
is essentially active. and mans truest
nobility is 10 give to that activity the
proper direction, that Its exercise may
contribute as fully as. possible to his
own and others happiness. Whilst
willingly assigning to the work OF the
mind the highest rank, maintain that
the work Of the body is likewise most
honorable. II is the most essential
condition 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 tenn
poral blessings of every kind are diff
fused throughout the world. Ask the
laboring mau when he is most happy
and he will assure you that il. when he
is most busily engaged at his wonted
employment Feel the pulse OF any
large town or city, and you will find it
beats with most regularity when all in.
dustries are thriving under tile busy
hands OF the toilers. Nothing in fact
contributes so greatly to both individ-
ual and social contentment as labor in
all its various forms; and therefore we
assert that there is a dignity in honest
labor, which compels the recognition OF
all good and great minds. In republic
like ours, where class distinctions are
unknown, labor whether of mind or
body should be one OF the chief titles to
respect and honor, and ii our workmen
are always true to their manhood, they
may greatly contribute to spread and
uphold this correct Wow OF the dignity
Of their condition.
rHR RIGHTS OF LABOR.
Whether man labors with his hands
or his brains, he has an inalienable
right to a fair compensation for tho
work performed; "for tho laborer is
Worry Of his hire. Luke x, Z. This
principle is as true in its application to
classes as to individuals. Innumerable
indeed arc the circumstances which
combine to determine what constitutes
a fair compensation, and it would 90
impossible to regulate the value of la
Dor by any code OF Interchangeable rules.
But the strict claim which the workman
has to the full value OF his services, adj
mits OF no question. 1t is guaranteed
him by every law, human and divine.
On this view Of the subject let me-
buote to you few words from the adj
mirable Encyclical letter published last
year by His Holiness, Leo XIII. LET
It begrantod," says the Pope, "that as a
rule workman and employer make free
agreements, and in particular should
freely agree as to wages. Nevertheless,
there is dictate OF nature more inn
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