Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

OUR SERMON.

But when He saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.-Matthew ix., 36.

"They were tired, and lay down," it says in the margin. But sheep lying down, even if somewhat tired, do not necessarily form a scene of pathosmore likely a scene of rural peace and prosperity. But Jesus looked upon these human sheep as taking only snatches of rest, just as they had been able to take only snatches of food. There were human wolves about to harass and to prey upon even the smallest accumulation of wool or of flesh. There is no mention here of wolves-only of sheep having no shepherd. But where no shepherds are there will

be wolves.

The function of the shepherd is to cherish, to arrange matters so as to favour accumulations of material, of moral, or of mental wealth. His function is to provide health and strength, to oppose waste and disease; to protect and comfort what produces milk and a fleece; to suppress the robber and to destroy the parasite.

They were tired, as sheep not having a shepherd. For want of guidance they had wandered and wandered. None, as the proverb says, go so far as they who do not know where to go.

THE MANDATE.

Not cap in hand, solicitous of sufferance, but as

one

Who hath a mandate, and decisive knocks
With warrant of admission-nought to beg
And nought to bargain, but set task fulfil.
For, that the time is ripe, and the occasion
Pairs with the utt'rance-as nothing haps,
But by strict sequence of all things forepast;
So, of long yesterday's come I to-day,
Not of myself but of necessity-

Law to itself supreme, whose essence still Works remedy from wrong, draws good from ill;

And so I greet you, and herewith my scrip!

To bid you waken-bid you cast away

The drowse of ages-bid you know yourselves

Quicken your hearing-open wide your eyesMake swell your bosoms-biggen more your hearts

But the wolves of that day took the guise of shepherds-of leaders and instructors. But their aim was to lead not to green pastures but off from green pastures into arid deserts; off from the words Rouse up your understandings-stir your

of God into their own mischievous traditionsnay, they seek to shrivel up the word into their own mischievous traditions. Look upon a sample of the rich herbage with which God's people were fed by the hands of Moses. "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou thalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou." What did this dry up to under the breath of one of the human wolves of Christ's day? "There are six days in which men ought to work; in them, therefore, come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." The fourfooted wolf is an insufficient type of these human destroyers These make havoc in flock and pasture both.

Let Governments change as they may, the real change, the real alternation is between the shepherd

and the wolf: between the cherished and the devourer of those who add to the world's wealth, between the guardian and the destroyer of public and domestic comfort. We say comfort, rather than order, because order under some constructions and some administrations would mean that the strong were to oppress in silence and the weak to submit in silence.

But no, it is not correct to say that all Governments range under the type either of the shepherd or of the wolf. There is a third type, that of the hireling, who seeth the wolf coming and who does not shoot him, or close with him, or force him to fly.

The acme and essence of perfect Government is to cause that every man shall lie down under his own vine or fig tree, none daring to make him fraid.

minds

To know the why and wherefore of your state!
To bid you cast the cloak of custom off,
The threadworn habits of old usage doff,
Essay your manacles, wrench free your hands,
And from your whilom fetters forge forth
brands;

From the dull slumber of long thraldom rise
And then your arms for doughtiest emprise!
To bid you be no longer semblances
Of what as yet you are not, but, again
From half-enfranchised helots, call forth men !
And with new eyes, arms, hearts, aim, nerve,
endeavour,

Stand full emancipate-henceforth, for ever.
J. H. DELL.

-:0:

It is seldom that snobbery is so openly and undisguisedly admitted as by a concert-giver at Homburg last week. The price of the stalls was five marks each, but the programme contained the following notice: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales having reserved the first row for the matinée musicale on Wednesday, August 18th, the stalls on the next two following rows will be sold at ten marks each." Double prices for the honour of sitting near a R-y-l p-rs-n-ge!-The World.

THE DEMOCRAT.

"THEY HAVE RIGHTS WHO DARE MAINTAIN THEM."

[blocks in formation]

The policy of the Government has not only been clearly stated in unmistakable language, but it has been carried into effect by resolutely exacting the uttermost farthing from Irish tenants and turning into the road many hundreds of families who are unable to pay rents which cannot be obtained from the land.

PRICE TWOpence.

With

nothing in return. This is what the Govern-
ment insist shall be done, and declare that if
the amount is not obtainable in Ireland it must
be made good by the British taxpayer.
such a policy how long will the Tories remain
in power? Or, rather, how long will British
Radicals stand and see industrious families flung
into the road because they cannot pay unjust
and impossible rents.

Chamberlain's Mistake.

Just a year ago Mr. Chamberlain was the life and soul of the Liberal party. He it was who inspired hope and won the November elections. He it was who denounced the exMr. Parnell has correctly described the clusion of Irish members from Parliament, and situation when he states that the "rejection of protested against the spending of English the Tenants' Relief Bill, the scarcely veiled money for the purchase of Irish land. In threats of the Irish Secretary, and the alarming these protests he was successful. Mr. Gladincrease in the number of evictions, clearly stone was convinced of his errors, and amended indicate the commencement of a combined them. If Mr. Chamberlain had then given movement of extermination against the tenant- his support to Mr. Gladstone he would have farmers of Ireland by the English Government been accepted as the champion of public rights, and the Irish landlords." By adopting this who had successfully protested against their policy the Government are flying in the face infringement, and he would certainly have been of facts which will prove too strong for them. regarded as the future leader of the Liberal Even Lord Salisbury and Lord Randolph are party. Now all is changed. He spurned Mr. less powerful than the natural and social forces Gladstone's just concession and continued his against which they have arrayed themselves. opposition. At the last election he supported The Government have shown themselves in- Tories. He must have been marvellously capable of realising the changes effected by the credulous if he expected from the Tory party development of causes which have long legislation in the direction of the principles been in operation. These developments have which he had advocated; if he entertained almost equalised the value of agricultural land that belief it has been rudely dispelled by the on both sides of the Atlantic, and made it simply action of the Government. Twelve months impossible for Irish farmers to hand over a since he was the active supporter of the third of their produce to landlords who provide people's rights; now he does not think it

worth his while to travel from Birmingham to London to record his vote against a policy of exaction. His apologists contend that he feels bound not to upset a Government which he so lately assisted to office. The plea is inadmissible. No consideration is due to any Government, new or old, when that Government fails to show consideration for the people whose interests it is appointed to protect.

Bye

dead machinery of Liberal politicians the
strength and the vigour of a living organism.
There is in it much snobbishness, vast
flummery, amazing ignorance, but there is
also real sympathy, real earnestness, and,
above all, real unity. Never did monopoly
clothe itself with so fair-seeming and effective
armour. It is a society of sham liberty, sham
fraternity, and sham equality; but shams will
often catch votes better than realities.
and-by it will seek to enfranchise women.
Not the working women, the toilers at a shil-
ling a day, the mournful heart continually
marching to the grave along a road as black
and desolate as death itself. The indignant
vote of these would drive aristocracy from the
land and drag plutocracy to the earth. They
will enfranchise the female snob. Her vote
can always be secured by an invitation to drink
a farthing's worth of tea with a broken-down
countess or a decayed duchess. We do not
ask how Liberalism is to meet these tactics,
because the day of Liberalism has set behind a
dull ocean of turgid debate. But how will
they be met by the young, eager, vigorous
democracy? By the opposition of the real to
the false, of true brotherhood to sham frater-
nity. The time has come for a League of the
People, containing all toilers of all sorts and
conditions, from the all-skilful professor of
every science to the digger of ditches and the

The Mayoralty of New York. Mr. Henry George's nomination for the Mayoralty of New York is an event of the greatest consequence in the political world. It is an international occurrence, whose significance is not to be exaggerated. The great economist himself does not underrate it. Writing me on the 13th inst. he says: "The good work (the land gospel) is going on here too. If I run for mayor, you will see it coming into practical politics. Whether I am elected or not the campaign will have a most important educational effect." About the educational effect there can be no manner of doubt. The Vanderbilts and Jay Goulds will get such a lesson as they have never in all their lives received before. Mr. George is not merely a thinker of rare penetration, honesty, and public spirit, but he understands campaigning methods as well as the best electioneering strategist in the United States. He will as suredly be a formidable antagonist, and I sin-maimed sweeper of the streets, having all the cerely trust his great moral courage and fidelity to principle will be crowned with entire success. Such a triumph of "the masses" over "the classes "would be felt wherever the English language is spoken. If the aura popularis fill his sail as fully as I wish it would, it will not cease to blow till it lands him in the White House at Washington. As President of the United States he would, more than any of his predecessors, be the premier-elect of the English-speaking world.

The Primrose Dames. Primrose Leaguery is advancing with sure and silent steps. Not even the most reliant worshipper of a cast-iron Caucus can now pretend to despise the League. It opposes to the

strength of the country's workmen and all the enthusiasm of the country's workwomen. The reply of the democracy to the Primrose League will be a British Knighthood of Labour.

Belfast.

To say that Belfast is in an inflammatory state is to speak mildly. A casual stranger, merely passing through the town, cannot but remark a general sullenness with suggestions of slumbering fires beneath. The Lord Randolph Churchill riots have demoralised society. Strange it is and pitiful that such a man should have so great powers of evil. The O'Donovan Rossa class on one side, the Churchill class on the other, these are the enemies of society. They are Anarchists without the Anarchists' plea.

THE TRADES CONGRESS.

Nothing is more remarkable in modern society than the rapid change of opinion respecting trades unionism. A few years ago trades unionists were regarded by certain classes as about on a par with highwaymen ; every member of a union was called upon to register a vow that he would not reveal the names of his comrades, as to do so would expose them to unlimited secution. From this disagreeable position trades unionists have been relieved, and now find themselves in exactly the opposite dilemma. They are in danger of being killed by kindness, and they have to exercise that vigilance which is necessary when all men speak well of you.

per

This rapid change is largely due to the extension of political power, but it is also the result, in a great degree, of the judicious, energetic, and persevering labours of trades. unionists themselves. The difficulties which surrounded their early efforts afforded excellent training and imparted a degree of shrewdness and prudence to their leaders which might not have been developed under more favourable circumstances.

It is, however, upon the justice and wisdom of their objects that trades unionists, must rely for permanent progress. It is now beginning to be understood that the improvement of the condition of the working classes is not only an advantage to the mselves but that the real and permanent prosperity of the whole community depends upon industry being properly remunerated. A reduction in wages may be advantageous to a particular employer, but to the community it usually means a distinct loss-shopkeepers, merchants, and manufacturers suffer when working men are unemployed or underpaid.

In human society there is a constant contest between those who pay and those who receive wages. The stronger portion of mankind always endeavour to obtain the services of the weaker on the best possible terms for themselves. The complications of a highly-developed civilisation have, in many respects, intensified class division, and made it more necessary that no section of the community should submit to injustice.

In ruder ages classes could not separate themselves as they now do. The chief and his retainers were constantly rubbing shoulders with each other, but in the present day the landlord may, and often does, see nothing of his serfs.

The wealthy employer knows nothing of his hands. The power and authority of the Imperial Government are employed to keep the peace, and the tenants or hands may starve and suffer in silence.

This is a wonderfully excellent system for those who are at the top, not, however, so desirable for those who are below. And yet it is a mere truism that the upper portions of society cannot be maintained, unless the lower are sound. In the end, and very soon too, the whole fabric must fall unless the foundations be secured.

Next to the extension of political power nothing has done more to impart justice and security in our social arrangements than trades unionism. The control of the land, the control of capital, and the control of the Government have been, until now, exclusively in the hands of the upper classes. The result is a degree of injustice in legislation and administration, which has almost neutralised the enormous advantages gained by scientific, mechanical, and commercial developments.

The power of labour has been increased at least five fold during the last 100 years. The same number of hours of work produce five times as much as they produced in 1786; does the condition of the workman show a correponding improvement? By no means. That there has been improvement in certain cases we do not deny, but the terrible fact remains that a large portion of our population are constantly on the verge of starvation, and during the period when the economic development has been most marked, and under the Government where it has been most largely secured, there the greatest proportion of people have actually died of want, and millions of its inhabitants suffer a degree of misery which is generally admitted by experienced travellers to be without a parallel in any other part of the world.

[ocr errors][merged small]

contest with wealth and power without combination the result would be unmitigated and universal slavery. As it is trades unions have enabled labour to meet capital on something like equal terms.

Will

and another, who must be bright and intelligent, receive only a guinea per week?

The reason is simply this: that the "ruling classes" make various devices for ruling the people's money into their own pockets, and hitherto the working classes have been so ignorantly patient as to submit. But with growing intelligence and a consciousness of power these inequalities will no longer be borne or be bearable.

No men are more deserving of honour than those who have taken an active part in the hitherto difficult and dangerous task of organising labour. That their efforts in the future may be less disagreeable and even more successful than in the past is devoutly to be The amount and variety of work to be done desired, and may be reasonably anticipated. by the tra les unions would appal any but "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, resolute and industrious men. The discussion taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." That of leading principles which takes place at the tide has now come to working men. Congress shows how many subjects demand it be taken or missed Upon this depends the and receive intelligent consideration, but the advancement or downfall of the empire. Congress gives only an imperfect idea of the No one could have attended the conference many matters that require attention. In at Hull without being convinced that working-carrying out the work for which trades men have attained the power of organisation, unions have been formed, it has been necesand have in their midst all that is necessary to exercise discretion at every point, and sary for its complete development. The it is surprising to discover the amount of indemonstration of this fact is of the utmost im- dustry and intelligence which have been devoted portance. It proves that we need no longer to the business. A well-conducted trades depend upon a "ruling class" for the adminis- council must be informed of the circumstances tration of our government. All classes, especially attending every workshop in their district, and the working-classes, must take their share in be prepared at any moment to expose an abuse administration, and those must be employed to or discuss and arrange matters between masters carry on the government, who will bring to and workmen not on hard and fast lines, but the work the greatest industry and ability at with due consideration of all the circumstances the most moderate cost. of the case.

Trades unionists find able men who for £200 a year will devote intelligence, energy, and experience of no mean order to public business, and who carry on that business with undoubted integrity and unquestioned success. When men can govern themselves on moderate salaries, why should they pay enormous salaries for other people to govern them? The late Mayor of Hull, who addressed the Congress at its concluding meeting, received for many years payment which is estimated at £2000 a year for acting two days in a fortnight as clerk to the county court, and during his mayoralty an advertisement was issued for a first-class shorthand clerk for the Corporation at a salary of guinea per week. Why should one man be paid at the rate of forty pounds per day

The extension of the suffrage has been a tremendous engine in the hands of trades unionists. There are few managers or proprietors of concerns who are wholly indifferent to political considerations; the votes of working men are, therefore, a powerful lever by which they can raise their condition.

No one realises more fully than the leaders of trades unions that the degree of power which they will exercise in the future depends upon the justice and wisdom of their own actions. Public opinion would as rapidly condemn unionists for using their power unfairly, as it condemns masters who act oppressively towards their workmen.

One great advantage of trades unions

« НазадПродовжити »