Year: 1879

THE RELATION OF LABOR AND cAprrALr-LEC-


TURE BY PROFESSOR ADLER.


1t is necessary that religion should discuss thu
same subjects which make the theme Of political
economy. only that while political economy regards
them from the low point of egotism, religion should
view them from the higher altitude OF moral law,
and bring to bear the light and enthusiasm of moral
courage upon their solution. Political economy ID
based upon partial statement of the laws that
govern human nature. Man in the pages
of many who theorize upon economic sub
jects seems like automaton Stimulating
form and action Of human being. but
with the heart left out. Modern writer's often claim
great credit for times because have abolished
the slave system of labor The glory of Oriental
monarchies purchased by the subjugation of the
masses. Even in Greece where the grace and per-
fume and symmetry of existence were realized as
they had never been elsewhere so fully and har.
moniousy. this admirable superstructure was based
upon slavery. Aristotle says. 1--WE must have tools
to manage TOOLS" We have abolished slavery in
name. but not yet entirely in fact. propose
to show that labor is still unfree in three
particulars:-First, it is unfree as to the
means Of production; second to place;
third to time 1t is often said that the interest
of capitalists and laborers identical That is not
true. The interest of capital and labor identical
but not of the capitalist and the laborer There is
this fundamental difference between the former and
the latterthe former wait. the latter cannot To
the former too long delay means loss Of interest
aud perhaps capital to the latter too long o delay
means loss of life. 1t is said the laborer and the
capitalist are brothers. Too often they brothers
were Jacob and Esau. Esau is the working man,
Jacob is the capitalist who owns a mess
of pottage. Esau comes to Jacob fainting
with hunger and cries: Give me of the
''let MS strike bargain. Give me thy brthright.'
There is second cause OF unfreedom-capital can
move and labor cannot. Capital flies the wings Of
electricity; the movements OF labor are slow and
numbered and circumscribed. Walker in his census
report shows plainly that the 1aborer cannot freely
migrate from place to place for lack Of the and
to occupation for lack of the necessary
and knowledge of the market. He does not
take advantage OF an opening employment.
but continues to crowd into the old occupations
that are already overcrowded and in which many
are per force trampled down. The gravest cause Of
unfreedom, however. is lack Of time. Machinery 10
Of the producers of wealth 1t has only added to
their burdens and abridged their scant leisure.
Never was there so much drudgery as
now, in the age of labor saving and time
saving machinery. The captains of industry acting
upon the suggestions of their popular economy have
continued to use human beings as tools and disre-


lessor Adler quoted extracts from reports Of tho
English factory inspectors, showing the gross ndf-
ference to human life which had been mani
tested by English manufacturers in the pur-
suit of gain until governmental interference
checked their so-called rights. He concluded
by urging that If the condition of the
it is due to the greater command Of his time
which he now has. He urged short hours of labor
all grounds. The State must succumb If two
thirds of it's citizens have all work and play.
There must be time for the higher purposes Of ite
On all sides the necessity of education in pres
ept perilous position Is conceded. There can be no
freedom without education; there can be no educa-
ton without sufficient time Give the people time.
then, and 1t will be possible to make them free.