Jain Gazette 1906 04

Author(s): Jagmanderlal Jaini, Sumerchand Jaini
Publisher: Jaina Gazette Office

Page 9

1906
· THE JAINA GAZETTE.
unfit to take part in the work of governing others unless he can first govern himself. He must stand up manfully for bis own rights; he must respect the rights of othere ; he must obey the law, and he must try to live up to those rules of righteousness which are above and behind all laws.
This applies just as much to the man of great wealth as to the man of small means ; to the capitalist as to the wage-worker. As one practical point let me urge that in the event of any difficulty especially if it is what is known as a labour trouble, both sides show themselves willing to meet willing to consult, and anxious each to treat the other reasonably and fairly, each to look at the other's side of the case and to do tbe other justice. If only this course could be generally followed, the chance of industrial disaster would be minimised.
I will give an extract from a letter received from a Catholic priest whom I know well and whoin I know to be as staunch a friend of the labouring ruan as there is to be found in this country. Now and then-not too often--it is a good thing for all of us to hear what is not perhaps alto, gether palatable provided only that the person who tells the truth is our genaine friend, knows what he is talking about (even though he may not see all sides of the case), and tells us what he has to say, not with a desire to burt our feelings, but with the transparent purpose to do us good. With this foreward here is a part of the letter,
"I would humbly recoininend that you lend your entire weight to the gause which the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America represents, and especially so in its relation to the working-classes of this country for whom it is doing so much goo 1. You know that the Tenperance move, ment is a potent auxiliary to the institutions of our country in buildiny up a better manhood and a truer Christianity among our citizens. It played a very important part in the two coal strikes of 1900 and 1902 respectively by keeping the meu sober, and thus removing the danger of riotous and unbecoming conduot. There is onu discouraging feature connected with the upward tendency of the wage scale among the workmen of this country. The higher the wages, the more money they spend in saloons. The sborter the hours, the more they are inclined to absent themselves from home. An apparent disregard for family ties is growing among the poorer classes w bich will eventually lead to a disregard for the blessings our country affords them. Hence, with an increase of wages a corresponding movein-nt for better manhood, nobļer citizenship, and truer Christianity should be set on foot The dignity of labour should be maintained, which can be done only through the love that a man should have for his work, and through the intelligence which he puts into it. A steady hand and sober mind are