The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-09-10

/ GnlfOTou HI ANA
doctors know both sides OF the story.
We have been in the palace and the
bovaI Can a Christian see these
things and sustain 1.-The tree that bears
s,ch fruit" Can a Christian with the
history of the past two years before
him neglect to study into the causes of,
and remedies for, our National, social
and industrial Diseases Ask your
minister. We doctors have been edu-
| Gated to treat the ailments of individ-
uals. But shall we shirk when the
Nation is sick? Z. +. I.
re believe that my readers will par
don me for making for the fol
lowing letter just received. 1t presents
some of the phases of the problems be
fore us. The health of our people is
ely a medical question; the
health and morals of the people, the
components of the State, is certainly a
political question; and religion is moth
ing unless it includes these. In its full,
ness and completeness, religion must
touch every human interest and &C
tivity.-C. F. T
THE EFFECTS OF OUR PRESENT INDUS
TRIAL SYSTEM UPON THE HEALTH AND
MORALS OF THE MASSES OF THE AMERI
CAN PEOPLE.
Editor Medical World:
Consider a few of the existing condi-
tions: A.-52 per cent. of u people
do not own homes. B.-Contrast with
this the fact that 9 per per cent. of our
population owns 80 per cent. of our
material wealth! Give have in
these piping times of peace an army of
1000, 900 unemployed D.-Child labor
in factories, sweat shops and depart
ment stores is prevalent! Consider
next some If the causes contributing
to the above conditions:
Adjournment is the factor of labor
saving machinery. But do not con
denim this per Sc. For this factor
might have been and may ultimately
be the meaI S Of making us all a happy,
free and prosperous people. Remem
Der that this stream has been diverted
from it's natural CHI annel; this power
has been, by the selfishness and gree
of the few, prevented from its true,
god intended, humane course of bless
ing all mankind, and thus become the
curse of poverty to the many. The in
veptive genius of man has been fruit
full and resulted in endless machinery
which might and ought to have con
tributed to the health, happiness and
prosperity of the whole human family.
We cali it l~abor-saving, and to day the
masses of labor need saving. Indus
trial salvation and emancipation is the
need of the hour.
B.-Hence individual and corporate
greed and s9Efshness is the real cause
that has has made this vast army of
machinery contribute to the wealth,
luxury, Incidence, and resulting licen-
tiousness Of the few; to the poverty,
disgrace, wretchcdness and resulting
vices of the many; instead Of the legit
mate end, the prosperity, welfare, hap
and consequent virtue of ell.
C.-The substitution of child labor
for adult labor in factories, etc. Not
content with the labor saving of adults
possible by machinery, the greed of the
capitalist sa still more labor saving"
by employing a mans child at a pit
tance, displacing the father, and often
child must support the family! |
Now the question is, what effect have
these conditions on the prosperity, |
health and morals Of the great masses
Of our people with whom VIC, as physi |
clans, daily come in contact, and on
whom we, in common with all business
and profCs tional men, depend for our
bread? I will but brie fly outline
few results:
1. The effect on health and morals of
conditions OF abject poverty and
enforced idleness of millions of unem
| ask, is their mode of life
conducive to their private and to pub
ic health7 Does it not produce phys
cal wrecks, dependency, crime, vice,
l~rnnk9nnese, and finally, as daily wit
1essed, end in suicide9 And do we not
know that these pathological conditions
IF body and mind are contagious and
Glarmingly on the ircrease9 Is there
my elevating or moral influence from
me in the condition of beggary or We
Is he not a social outcast, a
moral leper, a cancerous sore, the pro
iuct Of the present social system,
which is as a whited sapulchre, full of
lead mems bones9 He loses all respect
or self, for others. for law; and his
vengeance creates a deadly virus which