The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-31
LAW OF COMPENSATION.

L.. There Is probably, no law to which
man is subject. 50 important to his
well being as tho law of compensa-
ton, and there Is perhaps not ore
that receives as little recognition at
his hands.
All tho wrongs, errors, and inequali-
ties Of the industrial and commercial
world can: be traced directly to some
disregard, either wlltully or inadvert-
emily. Of the requirements of this law.
Nothing for nothing Is immutabiy
written: upon every page Of nature.
The emblem of justice is & scale ad-
justed evenly to a hairs breadth.
The rule Is of universal application.
and applies to every rank, station .
and business. =; .f -. ...:
A little reflection will enable every.
enc ,of: US to see, that the so-called
mfsfortunes which, CHANGED to come
our way, were due in a great meas
ure, If not wholly, to some departure
from thu law of compensation in the
past. r. The scales. must be balanced
and the Power that 80 overrules all
never fails to Sc" that they are.
A false philosophy of life has
thwarted our understanding Of this
law. sendmentalism in religion has
mad much to do in leading our minds
astray. Charity to our felsownen has
been made to conrist in giving away
something without any consideration
either to ourselves :or to society, there
for.
= The world. after long probation. has
discovered two: thinss:swith regard to
that species 81 charity: First, that
as a rule, 1t IS - curse both to the
stver and to :. the receiver second,
that; II justice. :or tbs law Of }compe -.
setton were the working rule Of at ldl
multitude. there would be no occasion
for asking Or giving such so-called
charity.
The countries in which Rivine for
nothing Is! most strongly inculcated
are exactly: the countries in which:
oesgary has become a pe.tilence to
the community. The evil feeds on the,
erroneous measures adopted for its re-
lief. Remove It's cause and the evil
will vanish.
Even in our own country, and may
be In our own community, the law Of
compensation II violatsd every day,' by:
people who ask from we'll enough
motives. perhaps, and by PEOPLE who,
respond. not because they think they
ought to. but as the easiest solution Of
e E t1e Ylblss2me problem 1t is not al,
Ways. seasy 70 have the strength Of.
ones convictions. particularly If the
action provokes unfriendly comment
and criticism, 1t is so much >eas,er
apparently, TO- yield to importantly
than to do just right and square one
self with the law Of conformation nv
refusing.
When the law of compensation ia
violated no amount Of subseouent 81.
fort will atone for it's violation. Should
an individual accumulate millions by
violating this law in his relations with
his fellowmen. he can never square
himself again with it by giving away
tn same millions for any purpose how
soever laudable. Stealing from Peter
and giving to Paul will not answer
the requirement.
We are not now arguing a9ainrt
giving In properly indicated cases.
what we contend for is that Rivinr
without discrimination is all wrong
and taking without commentator
therefor is also wrong. In either view
the law Of compensation is violated
and justice will adjust the scales nv
getting even with the wrongdoer. '>