Charity, we agree, is no substitute for justice, as the
manifesto observes, and we also agree when it says that "the first charge upon an industry is adequate remuneration for the worker." But remember that truism is one which, care- lessly handled, may become a source of untold misery to the poor, and push the destitute still deeper down into their destitution. It is easy to call a doctor a cruel and heartless man when he resists a quack remedy, and to declare that be does not care about the sufferings of the patient or he would never try to prevent the poor thing getting a quiet night by the use of Dr. Blank's soothing syrup. Yet all the time the doctor who has the courage to face the fact that there is often no short cut to prevent the agonies of pain may be ,the kinder and nobler as well as the wiser man. By all means let us make adequate remuneration a first charge upon an industry, but let us not forget bow often drink, gambling, and waste have forestalled us and have become the first charge thereon. Many saints are poor, and many poor men are saints, but poverty alone does not make men worthy. But if we talk and act as if it did we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
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