The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-03

Cardinal Gibbons Says IL Ia Plagiarism
and Will Die If Let Alone.

n
and Will Die If Let Alone.
Rome Special to New York Herald.
/ have obtained the original text of Cardinal
Gibbonss letter TO Cardinal Simeoni about tbs
works of Henry George. which have been KEEP
secret, although earbled and incorrect state
ments about it haye been published. The letter
begins thus:
'.Your Eminence-I have already had the
honor of presenting my views on social ques
tions which agitate America, and especially IT
relation to the KNIGHTS of Labor. But lately
another form of social discussion has developed
attaching TO the doctrines of Henry George al
American author identified with the working
classes. Since my arrival at Rome have heard
discussed the question whether those works
should find place in the Index. After medita
ton upon the subject, | think it my duty tc
submit to Your Emiuence the reasons which
demonstrated to me why a formal condemna-
ton OF Henry Georges works would be inoppor-
tune and useless"
Cardinal Gibbons then proceeds to saw that
Mr. George IS not the orr ginator of his theory
concerning the ownership and control of real
property. He charges that in Progress and
Poverty Mr.. George cites precisely" the teach
ings of Herbert Spencer and ohm Stuart Mill.
The Cardinal also quotes from an article in the
Contemporary Review of November. 1885, a
charge that Mr. George SIS only a plagiarist
from those celebrated authors and it seems to
me-" continues the Cardinal, ''that the world
would adjudge it little singular If the Holy
See should attack the work of an humble Amer
lean worklrgman instead of its masters"
The Cardinal adds with some naivete sand if
any ono thinks it the duty OF the Holy See to
pronounce judgment upon Messrs. Spencer and
Mill it might be prudent, before such adiudica-
ton, to take the opinion of Cardinals Manning
and Newman as to the policy of such action"
Next reference is made TO differentiatlons be-
tween Steecanella's work on communion, pub
Hshsd by the Propaganda press in 1882, and Mr..
Georges writings.
.'Any one who reads the latter observes that
the author docs not teach nor wish to teach an
abolition Of all private property and placing it
under state care. Mr. George on the contrary.
maintains that individual property is absolute
over all the fruits of mans energy and indus
try. 1t is only as to the possession of land that
he wishes to limit individual property by an ex-
tension of the supremum dominium of govern
ment. One perceive, therefore, that practi-
cally the controversy presents itself to the
the power of government over the individual
ownership of landY
Regarding this power, / wish to here note
that whoever has studied the relation of the
state to the ownership of land. as the subject is
treated by Steecanella and other Catholic
writers, or as it is regulated by laws of taxation
and the support of the poor in many countries
and especially in England-cannot fail to COM
prehsnd that this is very complicated question,
and governed by differing circumstances of time
and place and never fit TO be resolved by per
emptory sentence.
THE whole question is before the American
public as political problem. and in an arena so
practical it will soon find solution. Mr. George
himself recognizes how only legislative power
can accomplish his disposition of these affairs.
1t seems certain, however that never will a
Congress or Legislature be found which will
vote so profound change in social relations,
nor President who will approve of it, in a
country like the United States, which IS not one
for doctrinaires and Missionaries. No speculative
theory can become dangerous, nor survive long.
after any practical application OF it has been
rejected. II let alone, IL would in all certainty
die of itself.
Certain recent events having an intimate
connection with this very question have created