The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-18
Archbishop ireland Speaks.

Archbishop ireland Speaks.
We bespcak the attention of those
who have felt ncttlCd over THE TRIB.
UNES outSpolien comments on the
Debs' strike TO the following wise and
patriotic words Of Archbishop John
Ireland: "rhe fatal mistake which
has been made in connection with this
strike is that property has been de-
stroyed, the liberty Of citizens inter-
ferred with and endangered, social order
meuaced, 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 be
dropped out of sight and all efforts of
law-abiding citizens and of public Of,
ticials made to serve in maintaining
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 abso-
lutely supreme-social order.
"rhere is no civil crime as hideous
aud as pregnant Of evil results as re-
sistance to law and the constitutional
authorities Of the country. This is
revolution; it begets chaos; it is an
archy; it disrupts the whole social
fabric, which insures life and safety to
the poor rs well as to the rich, to the
employe as well as to the employer.
There can be no hesitation to bring in
the help of the powers of society when
property is menaced. Only savages or
men who for the time being are turned
into savages, will burn or destroy prop
erty, whether it be the factory of the
rich man or the poor mans cottage; q
railroad car or national building.
More criminal and more ineXcusable
yet is the act Of numbering human
beings or of endangering their lives.
Labor, 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 another man from work. He
who respects not the liberty of others
shows himself unworthy ofhis own lib
erty and incapable of citizenship in a
free country. Never can riots and
mob rule and lawless depreciation be
tolerated. The country that permits
them signs its death warrant. Riots
and mob rule, such as have occurred
in Chicago, do immense harm to the
cause of labor and set lack its advance
for whole decades of years. Labor
thereby loses the earnest sympathy of
thousands Of friends and gives courage
and triumph to its enemies. Worse
yet, the principle of popular govern
ment suffers 1t is no wonder that
reading of the occurrences in America
Europeans announce that the republic
is a failure and that strong monarchy
only can hold society together. No
where on earth has the poor man lib
erty, civil, social and industrial, as
that which he enjoys in America. Is
this liberty to be used in tearing down
the republic which blesses and pro-
tects them?
~ 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 his rights or to
improve 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 legiti-
mate efforts in these directions, wheth-
er by single act or united force, are
laudable. Labor has made great pro.
gress in the recent past; it must not be
too hasty. Time and patience are re.
quisites to final success.n
We make no apology for giving thus
much space to words so wise and time
ly. They come from a clergyman who
is known throughout the land as 9
true champion of human liberty and Q
consistent friend of all that makes fol
pure government and honest citizen
ship. He cannot be charged with any
lack Of sympathy with the laborinl
classes, since his whole life and pur.
pose and thought have been and ar,
for their genuine betterment. THl
TRIBUNE is proud to see its position
thus earnestly reinforced by one of th,
ecclesiastical heads of the largest Chris
tian denomination in the country
and man who, in his personal char
acter, piety ana scholarship, enjoys
the respect of every American unde
the sun.
OUR ALTOONA namesake is entirely
right in surmising that the country Il
ample for two news associations, with
out either one feeling under the ne
cessity of belittling the other. Indeed