DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.13852#0141
APPEAL.
9}
in solving the questions between capital and labour, that have become and
are becoming world-wide problems of international importance. The ques-
tions of child labour, of long hours in badly ventilated establishments, of
labour that injures health and life, of hygienic conditions, of insurance, in
fact, all labour questions should be studied scientifically and humanely, and
a common world centre would undoubtedly go far in giving solutions from
a world synthesis of opinion, thus preventing the ever dreaded question of
war between capital and labour : for such wars can become the most degrad-
ing and bloody in the history of the world, affecting all classes.
In these days we are continually on the verge of this war. The question
is one of the gravest in the history of peoples, — not a war between nation
and nation but a contest between capital and labour in all nations; for the
very fact of the continual diffusion of labour and of the vital need of capital
affects not only the state in which local interests are created, but the equili-
brium of the whole civilised world. The labourers of all nations, in spite of
government or national differences, are being joined together by strengthen-
ing bonds of fellowship, and those of one country as of another are demand-
ing the same justice and the same rights as well as the same recompense
for their efforts.
Men have freed themselves from despotism and slavery, on which they
look back with horror and repulsion. They turn with eager eyes and willing
hands towards higher achievements and ideals. They are guided by a more
divine mission than ever before. All their attainments both physical and
spiritual are essential to their progress. The streams of human blood spilt
in war have been dried by the sun of righteous endeavours. But these righteous
endeavours must finally receive a just reward, which can only be determined
by a careful study of men s demands.
Capitalists also need and demand protection, but the very fact of their
capital gives them the security and the protection of state institutions that too
often have provided them with the means of making slaves of their depen-
dents. It is known that though often the labouring man has more than he
earns or should have, yet more often he is reduced to extreme poverty by
capitalists who turn him into the slave, his accomplishments into gold, his
spirit into mud, — for nothing can so quickly destroy all spiritual insight as
slavery and poverty. It turns the man into the beast. It induces corruption
and blurs ideals. It sinks the human body into deplorable decadence,
physical and mental. It invites crime. It degenerates the healthy energies
of man and undermines all his highest ambitions.
The age of despotism, slavery and terror remains indelibly graven in the
minds of men. The human cries of the past for liberty and justice, the
groans of suffering and agony, still cause the heart to bleed with compassion
and shame. Shall all this have been in vain? Shall despotism and slavery
come under a new disguise ? Will they not surely be detected whatever
24
9}
in solving the questions between capital and labour, that have become and
are becoming world-wide problems of international importance. The ques-
tions of child labour, of long hours in badly ventilated establishments, of
labour that injures health and life, of hygienic conditions, of insurance, in
fact, all labour questions should be studied scientifically and humanely, and
a common world centre would undoubtedly go far in giving solutions from
a world synthesis of opinion, thus preventing the ever dreaded question of
war between capital and labour : for such wars can become the most degrad-
ing and bloody in the history of the world, affecting all classes.
In these days we are continually on the verge of this war. The question
is one of the gravest in the history of peoples, — not a war between nation
and nation but a contest between capital and labour in all nations; for the
very fact of the continual diffusion of labour and of the vital need of capital
affects not only the state in which local interests are created, but the equili-
brium of the whole civilised world. The labourers of all nations, in spite of
government or national differences, are being joined together by strengthen-
ing bonds of fellowship, and those of one country as of another are demand-
ing the same justice and the same rights as well as the same recompense
for their efforts.
Men have freed themselves from despotism and slavery, on which they
look back with horror and repulsion. They turn with eager eyes and willing
hands towards higher achievements and ideals. They are guided by a more
divine mission than ever before. All their attainments both physical and
spiritual are essential to their progress. The streams of human blood spilt
in war have been dried by the sun of righteous endeavours. But these righteous
endeavours must finally receive a just reward, which can only be determined
by a careful study of men s demands.
Capitalists also need and demand protection, but the very fact of their
capital gives them the security and the protection of state institutions that too
often have provided them with the means of making slaves of their depen-
dents. It is known that though often the labouring man has more than he
earns or should have, yet more often he is reduced to extreme poverty by
capitalists who turn him into the slave, his accomplishments into gold, his
spirit into mud, — for nothing can so quickly destroy all spiritual insight as
slavery and poverty. It turns the man into the beast. It induces corruption
and blurs ideals. It sinks the human body into deplorable decadence,
physical and mental. It invites crime. It degenerates the healthy energies
of man and undermines all his highest ambitions.
The age of despotism, slavery and terror remains indelibly graven in the
minds of men. The human cries of the past for liberty and justice, the
groans of suffering and agony, still cause the heart to bleed with compassion
and shame. Shall all this have been in vain? Shall despotism and slavery
come under a new disguise ? Will they not surely be detected whatever
24