The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-23
CARDINAL MANNING.

The Widely-K nown Prelate Explains Hts
Views ON Relief of the Poor.
New YORK, Jan. 22-The Worlds London
special says: Cardinal Manning received me
at the archbishop's palace. Westminster last
evening, for the purpose of explaining his re-
cent brief article in the Fortnightly Review, in
which he affirmed the right of a starving man to
take the property of others in order to sustain
his life. and that such taking sin. This
article has already been employed by Socialists
and Radical leaders in their arguments to favor
the uprising against property owners. The
Cardinal Prince sat before glowing fire In his
great audience chamber. closely buttoned up in
dark, heavy robes, with his red cap brought well
down on his earnest refiEed countenance, as
he dictated carefully his explanations.
He said in the first place that the article in
question was never intended for publication.
He wrote out what was printed for his friend,
Lord Compton, as an epitome of his ideas given
at a recent meeting in the interest of charity.
The Cardinal was first asked: "Would your
article justify the violence which was committed
in the early part of last ear in London by the
unemployed"
He replied: 'By no means. was speaking
to meeting of gentlemen, with the ex-Lord-
chancellor in the chair. composed OF lawyers,
political economists and administrators OF
snighs5 educated members Of the Char
ity Organization Society My purpose
founded upon the broad law of nature. and that
the recent administration of the same had
diverted it from its original intention and had.
which two consequences followed, pauperism
and crime which comes from desperation. In
doing this used the words "that by natural
law hungry man has a right to demand work
or bread. and upon that. as history proves. the
poor-law of Elizabeth was founded" The times
newspaper attacked me for thisIexpression, and
at the request of friend wrote
believed, the paper which appears in the Fort
nightly Review of this month. When it was
sent to me in print did not object to its publi-
cation, believing it to be true and timely at this
moment The use that has been made of certain
words reminds me of what St Paul says: We
be slanderouely reported TO say that, let us do
evil that good may come. As you ask me to
explain my words for your highly intelligent
countrymen will do SO by saying that was
quoting the words of our moral theologIans and
especially of St Thomas Aquinas. Any Catholic
friend will give those who desire it the test of
Alphonsus Lguori in explanation of the Sew
enth Commandment"
The Cardinal here read copious extracts from
much further than had the Cardinal in asserting
the natural right OF man to take under dire ne
cesSity what is necessary to sustain life. Cardi-
nal Manning said that this doctrine not safe
to give unexplained to the uneducated masses,
as such taking while it might be violation of
human law, would not be violation OF moral
Law: The Cardinal was asked to give an expla-
nation of this doctrine for the uneducated,
with whom it might. unexplained, be used to
advance socialistlc ideas. In repiy, he said: II
give these references for those who are able and
who are bound Co study and TO know the foun-
dation of all human law. did not say them,
and l do not say them to the uneducated and to
the profgate. who abuse them contrary to truth
and evidence. The gravity OF the present mo-
ment in which we are consists chiefly in this,
that we they were in ancient Rome, when
the historian said, We can neither bear the
evils that are upon us nor their remedies
When the hard administration of human law
compels US to appeal TO the divine la OF nature
those who are driven by suffering will abuse
and prevent it."