Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-31
SOCIALISM.
Bishop O'COnnOr on the Danger
10 This Country.

Bishop O'Oonuor, formerly of this
city, now bishop Of 0maha, delivered
a lecture in st. Louis recently on
Socialism, which concludes as follows.
Nevertheless, there are very grave
dangers to be apprehended from cum
munism in the United States. In
nearly all our great commercial and
manufacturing centers there are
societies either avoWedly commuRistic
Of largely under the influence of com
munistic ideas. They are thoroughly
organized and, in some instances,
drilled and armed for the struggle
they predict, and which, their leaders
say, they are determined TO precipi-
tate, between capital and labor, in this
country. All the elements of dis
order amongst US are in sympathy
with them. Our great and ever grow
ing army of tramps would rally to
their support in any crisis that
might arise. property owners s9@e
law abiding citizens generally regard
them with ever increasing alarm, To
withdraw their men from their in1u'
ence and prevent their gaining abso-
lutte political control of our cities,
large firms and railroad companies are
distributing their factories and shops
over the country districts Of every
state. But the influence these organ
i%zations WELD at the polls makes them
courted or feared by our politicians,
who cannot DO induced to favor tho
legislation necessary to avert the evils
they may cause at any moment. The
destruction of even one of our large
cities would be a fearful calamity; yet
who will say that it may not be
brought about any day by these sOeie-
ties, some of which seem to be ami
mated by the very spirit Of the Paris
commune2 It'll but three years since
Chicago seemed, for a time, TO DO at
their mercy, and when, in all proba-
bility, it you'd have been laid
in ashes but for the determine
ton OF tho Irish regiment that
had been called out 10 defend it. The
danger for that aud other cities is not
over. 1t becomes every day more and
moro threatening. And unless proper
precautionary measures DO taken to
=, avert it the Consequences may BIO de-
plorable. Should the injury TO life
and property, 10 DO apprehended from
3. these societies, actually ensue, in a
single instance, their suppression all
over the country would follow as q
matter Of course. But, prevention il
j, better than cure. They SHOULD be per.
mitted to meet, and organize, and the.
4 oriEe as much as they pie, SO, but they
should not be permitted to arm ant
Z drill ios the ayoTed purpose Of forcing
e their theories On others at the poin.
nfthe bayonet, Men so ignorant, o.
30 foolish "a to dream Of attempting
ANYTHING Of the kind here, can be- NJ
better than lunatics, aud l%upatieI
should not be allowed the use of dead
e ly weapons. Good citizens of the ma
" tionalities TO which tho members o
these societies belong should try Il
make them understand that, in thi
g country, liberty does not mean license
q but the protection Of every ma
in his rights under the constitution
. and The laws. The representatives q
the press should keep the public in
formed Of their proceedings, and r.
d mind them from time to time Of wha
=. they must expect should they procee
70 acts Of violence against property o
persons. The municipal authorities i
tho cities whore these organization
exist should keep a close watch o
. their movements, especially in time
-e OF public excitement, so as to DO pre-
pared ii necessary to meet force wit
r force should they attempt disturbanC
le Of the peaoo. There is in all gre,
ut cities much lnhammaLle matsris
err neral as we'll as physical, and DANCE.
GUS popular connections may ariI
- there at any moment from unforsee
a and insignihcant oassA In a count
20 where We may DO said to have pra'
% tically no standing army, even 0 sma
b body of we'll organized desperadoe
can, at sg1h times, do infinite misohiG
before they arc put down, unless th
70 authorities are proposed beforehand I
repress them. What occurred 80 II
> Gently in Pittsburg and Chicago shoul
10 be q warning to these and other elite
a' to prepare for like contingencies !
the future,