The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-16
REVIEWED BY IRELAND.
Criticism of the Archbishop Upon
the Great Strike.

CHICAGO, July 15.-Archbishop Ireland
of St. Paul being asked what he had to
say upon the railway strike to-day spoke
as follows:
81 dislike to speak of the Chicago
strikes. because In so doing l shall blame
labor, while because of my deep sympathy
with it L should wish to have never said
but words of praise for it. But in mo-
ment of our social crisis, such as the one
through which we are passing. it is my
duty to speak loud and to make the avowal
of the truths and principles which will
save society and justice. l am glad of the
opportunity which representative of the
Associated Press affords me.
THE fatal mistake which has been N made
in connection with this strike is that prop
erty has been destroyed. the liberty of
business interfered with. human lives
placed in danger, social order menaced
and the institutions and freedom o! the
country put in most serious jeopardy. The
moment such things happen all possible
questions as TO the rights and grievances
Of Dor must be dropped out Of sight and
all efforts of law-abidipg citizens and of
public officials made TO serve in maintain
ing public order and guarding at all costs
the public welfare. Labor must learn that
however sacred its rights may be. there is
something above them and absolutely su-
preme-socal order and the laws of public
Justice. There is no civil crime as hideous.
as pregnant of evil results, as resistance to
law and the constitutional authority ofEthe
country. This resistance is revolution; it
begets chaos; it is anarchy; it disrupts the
whole social fabric
Labor, too, must learn the lessons that
the liberty Of the citizens are to be re-
spected. One man has the right to cease
from work, but he has no right to drive
another man from work. He who re-
spects not the liberty of others shows him.
self unworthy of his own liberty and in
capable of citizenship in free country.
Riots and mob rule, such as have occurred
in Chicago, do immense harm to the cause
of labor and sets back its advance for
whole decades of years. Labor thereby
loses the earnest sympathy of thousands
of friends and gives courage and trium ph
to its enemies.
Worse yet. the principle OF popular
government suffers. 1t is no wonder that,
reading of the occurrences In America,
| Europe announces that the republic is q
failure and that strong monarchy only can
hold society together. l am far from say
ing that labor has not had its grievances
in America, nor that redress must not be
sought. | would not respect the Iaborer
who seeks not to defend his rights and i'm
prove his condition. But all this must be
done within the lines of social order and
| law. The remedy for these Ills is a.
healthy public opinion and fair public
| legislation. and all legitimate efforts in
these directions, whether by single or
united force. are laudabe.
For ny own part, believe the large
number of men who join strikes are more
to be pitied than to be blamed. They are led
on by responsible and tyrannous chiefs.
Labor unions have great statutes, but one
marked evil in them is that they mn
the liberties OF tens of thousands in the
keeping OF one man, or of a few, who be-
come their absolute masters, their despotic
cZaTs.
1.-THE solution of differences between
canital and labor is necessarily complex.
and no one precise formula has been or
can be found. A generous sense of justice
toward all, deep love of ones fellows
and attentive listenings to the teachings
of Christ will lead on all sides to better
understanding and to happier mutual
relations. Certain it is that so far as it is
possible the laborer should not lack sup
port for himself and family. He should
not be overburdened either in weight or
time of labor; he should be treated as
rational and moral being, with all respect
due his human dignity. His remunera-
ton. if diminished In periods of depres-
sion. should increase in periods OF pros
perity.
"Yet / approve highly of President
CleVeland's course in the strike. His