The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-15
The Voice of
The People

1>~~>~~~~~>~~~~~~

Editor Providence News:
Professor Drummond said OF the nine
teenth century, that II had added more to
the sum OF human learning than all the
centuries that have passed. The great
statesman. Gladstone. called 1t the age
of the laboring man. Others think that IL
IL has done nothing else II has brought 10
light the glorious truth that man was
never born TO be a slave. The twentieth
century bids fair to keep pace with. IL
not surpass, the nineteenth. Never before
has the dignity of labor been so clearly
recognized.
But the world is not yet rid of certain
false conceptions Of labor. One Of these
raise conceptions has taken the form OF
the dogma that only a certain kind OF la
Dor Is the sole source OF value. The doc
trine Is fallacious. because II unduly mar
rows the sphere OF labor. Hand labor is
very far from being the sole source OF
value. In these modern times. at least,
brain labor must go with IL, II the work
man is to enjoy the fruit Of his toll The
workman whose employer disposes OF his
product with ability will thrive, while his
brother, whose employer Is destitute of
this ability will suffer IL not starve. An
other modern doctrine. scarcely less fall
lacious, is that labor Is simply a COM
modify which may be bought and sold.
But when you take a person into your
employ you are entering into relations
with a human soul. When you desire
machine you GO other things being equal
TO the cheapest market accessible. But
man is more than a machine. and his
employer who treats him as such is apt,
In the end. TO get into trouble. Machines
do not go upon strikes. but human labor
ers do. and the most successful employer
or labor In the long run, IL the man who
treats his employees as human beings.
The whole subject is one of deep in
terest to every friend OF humanity and to
all ardent supporters of our Republican |
form of government. The popular educa- |
tional influence must come In great. II not |
the greatest measure through the de- |
velopment OF the young people, especially |
those being taught in our religious and |
secular schools all OF whom should learn |
that IL Is not wealth or mere intellectual |
culture that constitutes a state. but men /
who know the rights and duties of men
their obligations and their privileges. and |
alteth a nation
II is recommended that in every home
and in all the schools. especially those
supported In whole or In part By taxation.
the following subjects be taught. and In
with such Others as the needs
of community may demand:
The Laws OF Health" t'Duties Of
''The Dignity OF Labor"
Relations OF Employer and Employa,"
Patriotism The Blessings Of Peace"
Kindness to Animals"
.Benevoience." Poverty, Its Cause and
ice." Moral and Personal Cleanliness.
Crime and It's Prevention" "Reforma-
ion OF the Criminal" Hereditary"
Respect for Law. and In Behalf OF
Rulers and Magistrates" How to Help
he Poor" "Politeness," THE Evil In
VAR" Regard for Others Rights"
Such subjects and others OF like nature,
veil taught, and put to practical use.
would no doubt profoundly influence the
Whole structure of society, exerting a
most powerful influence on all questions |
fecting the body politic. The religious.
he moral. the social, the Industrial. the
'olitical conditions would feel In a new
nd better way the atmospheric pressure
4 such a spirit.
All the forces which are now at WORK
or the amelioration and Improvement OF
luman conditions and relationships, all
he appeals which are being made for the
by practical methods OF the
Golden Rule" as between man and man.
LII the sad and heartbreaking cries
which are coming up from factories.
mines, fields and other sources for relief,
would meet in the near future from those
aught as suggested. generous. a frat-r-
lal. a grand and inspiring response. caus-
ng the brotherhood Of man to become less
prophets dream and more a present
'eality. and industrial warfare, with It's
waste OF strikes, lockouts and their at
endant suffering. be replaced by an
honorable and contented peace. with the
general acceptance OF the fact that the IN
erests OF al, who labor, whether by the
Use of money, brain or hand, are one and
he same
I have only given a few hints of what
night be accomplished II society was only |
awake to its duties. Agitation and per-
'onal efforts are imperative. We who are
more fortunate than others are our broth
srs' keepers There Is need to enforce the
ruth that the time Of the doctrfnaire and
he mere theorist has passed. We have
,ome TO the time Of service, the living
,arnestness OF the intensity OF real work
'or the real object.
THE right the day must win.
To doubt would be disloyalty,
To falter would be SIN"
Respectfully.
A n