The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-23
EFFECT OF THE STRIKE.
Rev. Frank o. Ballard Talks on That
Subject at Memorial Church.


The recent strike troubles furnished Rev.
F.. o. Ballard, of the Memorial PRESBYTERIAN
Church, with a subject for his sermon last
night. He sought to show the lessons that
were to be drawn from the strike and to
suggest what to him seemed the remedies
for the evils responsible for the turbulence
that prevailed. Love was the basis upon
which he. would build, and his sermon last
night was to show what it would accom-
plish in the way of the amelioration of
wretched conditions. His text was from
Ruth, ii, 4: "And behold, Boaz came from
Bethlehem and said unto the reapers, The
Lord be with yeu,' and they answered him,
The Lord bless thee" He said, in part:
THE spirit of love and cordial feeling
of a binding tie that was evidenced by the
expression in the text should enter more
largely into the relations of men to-day
II should be felt between the employer and
the employed. There should be more than
n wage binding the two, and 1t should be
realized that in one sense, at least. no
servant is lthe equal of the master. In the
serving he is at least not equal to the
master, though he may be his superior in
physique, intellect and other respects. AS
a matter of fact, 1t is the general assImp-
employer and the EMPLOYED The rich and
the poor are engaged in selfish conflict,
striving TO gain the mastery by tlnesse or
physical force. Because the strike Is now
past, for the time being, il is not to be
considered as being forever settled. It was
the result of deep causes, and there will
be future upheavals. The concentration of
the people in the great cities is growing
menace that is likely 10. produce more erup-
tons in the future. The average citizen is
too much of optimiSt and is likely to
think that affairs are all right and will
not end badly. He seems to think that
God has especially singled this country out
for His particular blessing and protection.
One Of the great points of danger is the
immense fortunes that are held by single
by these individuals, and suspect that in
their poverty they have amassed the mil
cTeeps fGr in The Doors beve thew haye 9
received their just dues. but we will have
rich men growing richer ,e! and poor men be
suggested for the evils. 1t is plain that
they are reflected upon large number of
people. In thus affording food for reflec-
ton they are serving an educational pur-
Every citizen should study the social
problem. All should be political econo-
mists. We must have absolute law and
when he pleases must be maintained in
violate. and the right Of every man to lay
down his tools and quit work, provided
he does ii in peaceable and orderly way,
must be maintained just sacredly. In
case of mob riots the most merciful thing
gun gun on the mob as quickly as possible
Another remedy is that all citizens should
enter politics. Enter the caucus and pri-
is possibly disagreeable dirty as politics
generally are now, but il Is our duty to
know the personnel of the ticket we vote.
We should also stop immigration, for
| awhile, at least. The country needs rest
from the continual flow of foreign filth into
1t. Establish a system of inspection in the
| foreign country and at the gates Of this.
Know that whoever comes to US from
abroad is Intelligent and has the qualities
| which make good citizenship. Great strikes
are chiefly by men that are unable to
speak the English language In the recent
| railroad strikes there was very large pro-
| portion Of the men who could not read the
| notices of the injunction that were posted
about the railroad properties Compulsory
| school laws that meet with the sanction
| of the people and the teaching of the En-
| glish language are among the remedies
| for the evils of existing conditions. If we
| have parochial schools let them be under
| the inspection of a civil officer. who shall
| be empowered TO require that the scholars
| attending them secure at least the equiv
| alent of the public schools"
| Mr.. Ballard said there was too much
| selishness and not enough love in com
| mercal dealings. Love reigned in the
| household, but in the counting room 1t hac
| no place. Society is bound together. as the
| family is held. by sacred ties. The upper
| strata of society cannot be separated from
| the lower. There is tie that binds then
! together. An elect few cannot be saved
and a great majority sent 10 the devil.