Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-24

II shows how wide mas been the
spread OF communism, and how po-
tent have been the theories OF Henry
George. The Archbishop warns Catholics
.sapainst certain unsound principles and
theories which assail the rights OF proper.
ty.v "Once deny the right OF ownership.
and You SOW the seed OF stagnation In hui
man ENTERPRISE" he adds. The effect OF
these words, coming as they do at this time
when 6s,OOO voters In this city have en-
,lorsed Henry Georges theories regarding
common ownership IN land, must be pro.
dioious. Henry George was supported by
Catholic clergymen and received the votes
Of Thousands Of Catholic laymen, and,
while the Archbishop in this pastoral let
ter has not entered into the arena OF poll
tics, and makes no personal or party lllu-
.Ions. vet the effect OF his words must be 10
imnair the influence OF what Is known A.
the George movement. The Archbshop's
words are worthy OF the most careful
thought. lie writes: 4" Undoubtedly God
made the earth for the use OF all mankind.
hui whether the possession thereof was tn
be in common or by individual ownership
was left for reason to determine. such de-
termination, judging from the facts OF his
tory, the sanction OF law, from the teach
ing OF the wisest, and the actions Of the
hest and brayest OF mankind. has been and
Is that man can by lawful acts become pos.
sessed Of the right Of ownership In property,
and not merely In it, use. The reason is
because man Is strictly entitled to that
Of which he Is the producing cause.
to the Improvement he brings about
in IT, and the enjoyment OF both. But it i
clear that In farm. for instance. which one
has by patient toll improved in value, in
block OF marble, out of which one has CHI
selled perfect statue, he cannot fully en-.
Joy the Improvement he has caused unless
he has also the right TO own the object thus
improved. lie has strict right-and evil
are the laws and systems which ignore it
either 10 ownership and enjoyment or To
full compensation for the improvement
which is his. To strive to base an argu-
ment against ow ership in land by reason
ing on the universal distribution OF air and
light is only freak OF the Imagination"
Elsewhere the Archbishop says: "They
1.-THE Sociaists) do not. indeed, cease TO re-
peat that all men are bv nature equal one
with another. According, on the contrary,
to the teaching OF the Gospel, the equality
Of men is this: That, having all OF them
received the same nature, they are all
called To the same eNal'eu ulgnl'y oi t1c
sons OF God; as also that one and the same
end being appointed to all each Is to be
judged by the same law, receiving re-
ward OF punishment according TO his
desert. But inequality in authority AMI
power flows from the very author OF
nature, 'of whom all paternity is named in
Heaven and on EARTH While Socialists
traduce the law Of property as a human in.
vention rcpusnant to the natural equality OF
men. and, desiring community OF goods,
bold that poverty should not be endured
with contented mind, the Church. much
better and usefuIly, recognizes the lnequali-
ty that exists among men, who differ by
nature in strength of body and mind, a.
they do In worldly possessions, aud COM
msnds that the right Of property and OWE
ership, derived from nature itself, be held
intact by all and inylolate.'