Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-16

CHICAGO, July 15.-Archbishop Ire
land, Of ST. Paul, being asked what he
had TO say upon the railroad strike to-
day, spoke as fellows:
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 none but words
of praise for it. Yet in momentous
social crisis, such as the enes through
which we are passing, it is duty to
speak aloud and to make avowal of'the
truths and principles which will save
society aud uphold justice, and am
glad Of the opportunity which repre-
sentative Of the Associated Press af-
for hsme.
THE fatal mistake which has been
In connection with the strike is that
property has been destroyed, the lib
erty Of citizens interfered with, human
lives placed in danger, social order
menaced, the institutions and freedom
OF the country put in most serious
jeopardy. The moment such things
happen all possible questions as to
the
RIGHTS AND GRIEVANCES OF LABOR
must De dropped out Of sight and all
efforts Of law-abiding citizens and OF
public officials made to serve In main
tanning public order and guarding at
all costs the public veal. Labor must
learn that however sacred its rights be,
there is something above them and alb
solutely supreme: social order and the
laws of public justice. There is no civil
crime as hideouS and as pregnant OF
evil results as resistance to law and the
constitutional authorities OF the coun-
try. The resistance is revolution; il be-
gets choas; IL is anarchy; itdisruDts the
whole social fabric which insures life
and safety 10 the poor as we'll as to the
rich. TO the employe as we'll as the
employer.
There can be no hesitation TO brlng
tn tde Lelp or Tue oppressive powers Oh
society when property is menaced.
Only savages or men who for the tune
being are turned into savages, will
burn or destroy property whether 1t be
the factory of the rich man or the poor
mans cottage, a railroad car or d
national building.
more criminal and more inexcusable
vet is the act Of numbering human be-
=. 9 fhair liuaC |
Dor, too, must learn the lesson that
THE LIBERTY OF THE CITIZEN
is TO be respected. One man has the
right TO cease from work, but
he has no right TO drive any
man from work. He who re-
spects not the liberty of others
shows himself unworthy of his own
liberty and incapable Of citizenship in
free country. Never can riots and
mob rule and lawless depreciation be
tolerated. The country that permits
them signs It's death warrant.
Riots aud mob rule, such as have
occurred In Chicago, do immense harm
TO the cause Of labor and sets back
It's advance for whole decades of years.
Labor thereby loses the earnest sym
pathy OF thousands Of friends and
gives courage and triumph TO its
enemies. Worse yet, the principles Of
popular governments suffer.
Il am far from saying that labor has
not had its grievances In America nor
that redress must not be sought. |
would not respect the laborer who
seeks not to enjoy all its rights
and TO improve his condition.
But all this must be done within the
lines of social order and law. The
remedy for the Ills is healthy public
opinion and fair public legislation and
all legitimate efforts in these directions,
whether by single act or united force,
are lsudabe.
las TO strikes, l repeat the words Of
a labor leader, Mr.. L. V. Powderly,
they are nearly always failures, and
should scarcely ever be resorted to, even
when most severely guarded from
wrong-dOing.
FOR Ny OWN PART
l believe the large number OF men who
ioin the strikes are more to be pitied
than to be blamed. They are led on by
irresponsible and tyrannous chiefs.
Labor unions have great value but one
marked evil in them is that they put
the liberties Of tens Of thousands in the
keeping Of one man, or OF few, who
become their absolute masters, their
despOtic Cars.
"These strikes read lesson TO capi-
tai. Capital must for its own sake, as
well as for humanity's sake, be mind
full OF its own duties and Of the rights
and interests Of LABOR.
"Industries which allow some profit
sharing which secures the laborer from
want in sickness and old age gain
strength to themselves while comfort
ing the workinEman. As to some means
of prevention Of strikes aud dangerous
disputes between capital and labor,
nothing better so far has been sug-
gested so far than arbitration.
"Yes, / approve highly Of President
Clevelsnd's course In the strike. His
prompt action brought State and city
officials, citizens and strikers 10 their
senses, and certainly, so far as he went,
HE HAD LEGAL RIGHT WITH HIM.
Mr.. Cleveland deserves well of the
nation, and OF the people of Chicago in
particular. II were well indeed for
the principle Of the republic II city and
State authorities were always so
prompt and firm in action, as to render
needless all appeal TO the national ex-
ecutive.
The position OF the Catholic Church
is easily defined. She stands for rights
and duties; for labor and for capital so
lepg As bOsh fellow dutiss $aa the one