Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-28

cle and the men of money. Why, only this morning the papers had telegraph I ie dispatches announcing tremendous strikes in five different countries England, France, Germany. Australia and the United States. There are more than 100000 men out on strikes this very minute. I know there is great discontent, and men say great foolishness, on the part of the men of labor. Grant it. The fact is we live in an age of unrest. But at the bot tom the whole secret of the trouble lies in a disregard of humanity in passion for getting wealth first of all. The love of money has wrecked empires, and it will smash our civilization un- less"- Eric stopped abruptly and buried his face ill his hands.
 Stuart stepped up to him and laid his hand on Fries shoulder. "NVell, Eric" he said simply, God will triumph in the end. Let's hold fast to the great truths that have always been true.'
 ''There is no solution of these difficult ties, am sure," said Andrew after moment of quiet in the room, except as it comes along the religious lines. I believe the next great factor in what is called the labor question will be the re- ligious factor. l see no possible hope for better condition unless it is brought about by the appeal to and q belief in Christianity as the real source of final adjustment of mems relation with one another in the social compact. In reality the problem consists in get ting men on both sides to act like Christians. There could be no possible clash, for instance, between you two men if either one worked for the other, because you love each other Love for one another, therefore, is, after all, the greatest thing in the world, because it is the great and final adjuster of all social problems and differences 'I believe that, too," said Stuart, pac | ing up and down the little room. T | don't question the final triumph of love and right. But we don't live in the mil l Iennirlm yet. And we have our own | questions local to us right here and l now.''
 "There can't be any doubt about our duty to the suffering women and chill 1 dren." said Andrew. And l can tell you there's a lot of it beginning. One of the worst things about it all is the way the men are beginning to drink. What little savings many of them had are going this way"
 "Curse the saloon! Oh, curse that 1 hell on earth" cried Eric suddenly. Stuart and Andrew started at the ve- | hemence of his tone. 'IWe go into our churches on Sunday and pray and preach for peace and purity and foy- EivCDsss and love and blessing on little children and all that, and then on cleo tion day we go and vote with all the rum fiends on earth to perpetuate a system by local option that damns with it's internal breath every pure de- sire and every upward reach of human 1 ity, and the prayers of the nation ought to come back into it's homes and down upon it's religious altars as l curses, as they are coming, until we learn how horribly foolish and wicked we have been not to act our prayers 1 cut in our votes against this devil. The saloon has done my people more harm than any one thing in our civilization"
 Stuart was silent For the first time he felt the force of Fries passion in the matter. He remembered that the last time he and his father voted they
  church member in Champion. So did every one of the 40 saloon keepers there at present.
 Well, we can't drive the saloon out this winter. It's q legalized institu- tion so far as it has right to sell to those who want sor buy" at last Stu art said sadly. "Its one more factor
 in the problem. Let's face it like men and hope for better things to come. Of course Andrew is right about the relief of suffering women and children. have a plan, too, that 1 believe can be carried out to a certain extent i'll getting the men to work instead of re- ceiving aid in idleness. I need more time to work it out. Meanwhile we ought to consult with the doctor and the city officers as to the best and most | effective way of
 There was a knock at the door, and pr. Saxon came in. T haven't but q minute to stay. Heard you were here.