The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-09

wider. Both SIDES dlSpldS'
in conspicuous instances. unrestraln-
ed bitterness, and conduct that
IS individually lawless. The recent
revelations in Washington Of the un-
Vaccinations or the Ma
tional Association OF manufacturer
quite match the constituencies plot
tings of the Mcnamara dynamlters-
Both pot and kettle are black. Accu-
sations may fairly be made by both
sides. That way. however, lies the
mischief. There is too much whole
sale denunciation-al OF which pro-
notes dangerous class CONSCIOUSNESS
and too little self-restrained and dis
passionate effort to find out all the
facts and a solid basis of justice. AT
the outset, let it be clearly and strong
" stated that whatsoever rails against
any group of his fellcW-citlzenS, be
he an employer ~denouncing labor
unions or a WOrkingman denouncing
capital, is hurting his own case and
the common veal as we'll. Calling
names never brought justice; and it
is a childish way for mature men to
deal with an issue of gravest import.
CONGRATULATIONS are always unsafe,
and in the field of the industrial
question they are positively danger
Gus.
A recent scholarly writer upon the
life of Jesus suggests that probably
the Man Of Nazareth was a master
carpenter, an employer Of labor. The
skill with which he handled men, and
the readiness Of other men to follow
him, and his frequent assumption of
the standpoint Of the employer in his
parallels, are cited as possible war
rant for this conclusion. The con-
lecture is interesting. although mere
ly one more illustration of the pro-
| fn1~d with fhof Christ r1nofC 1if0
sympathetically on all levels. That
he was a working carpenter we know
beyond doubt. He toiled with his own
hands, as did his father before him.
That he should have risen, like mil
lions of other workingmen since, to
be ais an employer of labor, WOULD
not be surprising. In any case. he
was not a class Christ. The attempt
to make him the representative Of
any particular religious or social
group is doomed to failure. Jesus
understands the case of all who la
Dor and are heavy laden; and he
knows also, as his teachings show, the
viewpoint of the master Of the house,
with his industrial responsibilities.
Jesus is qualified to sit as a member
Of every conference between employer
and employed.
When vital Christianity is on duty
IL" OONh ~ oII0 SIlOp. liz CdII "
no insurmountable labor problem.
5 A little more sympathy, and a lit
tie less rancor, on both sides Of every
! industrial dispute, will help to an
( earlier attainment Of a common un-
7 d~erStanding.
The gospel Of hate and Of confs-
cation which is being openly, preach
ed by one extreme group of labor
. agitatOrs mace the welfare Of all
: : classes Of society, and the integrity
: of the nation itself. S~yndicalism and
= = sabtage-which mean the class
: strike and the destruction of en-
g ployer's property-are nothing less
than anarchical. The saving sense
= ~repudiateS them.
b Certain big truths lie at the base
Of the labor question, and no dis
t cussion Of the subject can fairly ig-
more them. One is that in this lanl
there are no fixed Glasses" Mos
employers of labor here were once
themselves laborers. And there is {
e constant addition of the ex-rich Il
h the world of toilers. Forces are a
e work in this Western Democrat,
d which prevent rigid class lines from
is forming. Anothe basic truth O
great size is that not all employer.
IF dIO HOt all WOTklnSmen are alike
In the former group there are me-
O who are hard, cold. ruthless, graspin.
n and oppressive; and in the second
men who are lazy, inefficient and dis
loyal strikers. Happily, the tale doe
not end there. We all know employ
Is ers who are moved by a deep religion
and patriotic sense of their RESPONSE
= bility, and who sacredly, and with r.a
e self-sacrifce, count the welfare q
their workers as of more importanc
= than their own profits. Likewise ther
=. are multitudes working Tor wage
who are efficient, diligent and faith
~ full, regarding their employment p
- their share in the great task of world
q progress. With these facts in mind
" no person can rail against any class
H Intelligence is the great antjdote fo
~ bitterness.
ic
d. NJ 1o,oar :; ~