The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-09-29

wages, especially i'll mining districts
and factories. where protests have
but a feeble echo, and are easily
stifled by intimidation.
In many places the corporations are
said to have the monopoly of stores
on supply, where exhorbitant prices
| are charged for the necessaries Of
life; bills are contracted which the
workmen are unable to pay from the
scanty wages, and their forced insol-
vency places them entirely ut the
mercy of their task masters.
To such Shylocks may we'll be ap-
piled the words Of the apostle: Go
to, now, We rich men; weep and howl
for your miseries which shall come
upon you. You have stored
up to yourselves wrath against the
last days. Behold the hire of the Ia
borers. which by fraud hath
been kept back by you, crieth, and
the cry of them hath entered into the
ears of the God Of Sabbath
How forcibly this language applies
now to our country. and how earnest
ly the warming should be needed by
the constituted authorities! The su-
preme law of the land should he vim
dicatcd and enforced, and ample pro-
lection should be afforded to lcEiti-
mate competing corporations as well
as to the laboring classes against un-
scrupulous monopolies.
!, But If labor organizations have
rights to be vindicated and grievances
to he redresscd, it is manifest that
they have also sacred obligations to
he fulfilled and dangers to guard
against.
They should exercise unccasing Wig
ilance In securing their body from the
control of designing demngogues, who
would make it Subscrvient to their
own selfish ends, or convert it into n
political engine. They should also he
jealous Of the reputation and good
|
ciety as we'll as of it's chosen leaders.
For. while the organization is en-
nobled and commands the respect OF
the public by the moral and civic vir-
tues of its members the scandalous
and unworthy conduct of even few
Of them is apt to bring repronch on
the whole body. and excite the dis
trust Of the community.
Activity is the law Of all intellec-
tual and animal life. The more you
live III conformity to that law, the
happier you will be. An active life
like the purling rivulet, Is an unfail-
ing source Of glainess, health and
contentment, while an indolent life
like the stngnant pool. breeds discon-
tent, disease and death. No man ell
joys with kccncr relish the nights
repose and the Sunday and holiday
| rest than the son of toll.
A life Of patient industry is sure to
be blessed with competence, If 1t is
not crowned with an abundant rcmu-
neration. The great majority of our
leading men of wealth nre indebted
for their fortunes to their own untir-
ing industry. Take an active per-
sOnal, conscientious interest in the
business Of your employer. Be as
much concerned about it's prosperity
as If It were your own.
Foster habits of economy and self,
denial. No matter how modest your
income may he, always live under It.
You will thus protect your liberty and
business integrity, and guard your.
self against the slavery and humilia.
ti0n of debt, which is too often the
precursor and the Incentive to COM
mcrcial dishonor.
While honestly striving to better
your condition, be content with y0u1
station in life, and do not yield to an
inOrlinate desire of abandoning yOul
present occupation for what is pOpu
larly regarded as n more attractive
avOchtiOn. Remember that while the
learned professions are over-crowded
there is always demand for skilled
and unskilled labor, and that 1t Is far
better to succeed in mechanical or
manual labor, than to fail in prOfes.
sionnl life.
BE not over eager to amass wealth.
for they who are anxious "to become
rich, fall into temptations and into the
snarcs Of the devil, and into many
Improbable and hurtful desires
which drown men in destruction and
pcrdition."
A fcvcrish ambition to accumulate
Il fortune, which may be called our
national distemper, is Incompatible
with peace of mind.
Moderate means with contented
spirit. are preferable to millions with
out It,
Sobriety will be an angel of tran
guilty and comfort to yourself and
family. While this virtue should be
cultivated by all men, 1T ought to be
especially cherished by the laboring
class, who are so much exposed to the
opposite vice. Intemperance has
brought more desolation to homes
than famine or the sword, and is a