The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-14
Thines considered By catholics.


The platform adopted by the congress of
Catholic laymen in Baltimore, the text Of
which was published in our dispatches yes
terday, can hardly fail to command great
deal Ct attention. The points of it are
clearly stated and strongly expressed Those
parts of it which refer to the divorce evil,
the observance Of the Sabbath and to labor
will doubtless excite a good deal of
comment outside of the Catholic church.
Legislation which increases the number
of causes FIR divorce is condemned. THE
root Of the commonwealth is the homes of
the people" says the platform. An unre-
lenting war should be waged upon every
thing that threatens to break up homes or
lessen the happiness which should exist in
them. The divorce evil is steadily increas-
ing. It destroys thousands of homes every
year, and will continue TO destroy
homes unless it is checked. Very
little effort seems to be made t o check it by
those who lave the making of the laws.
Indeed, they often seem inclined to afford
other opportunities tor the evil to become
greater. 1t is evident that before the
divorce evil is checked religions denomina-
tions will have to deal with 1t more vigor-
ously than they have yet.
Speaking of the Sunday liquor traffic the
platform says: I'VE must set our faces
strongly against the sale of intoxicating
beverages on Sunday" And again it says:
1--WE favor the passage and enforcement of
laws rigidly closing saloons on Sunday, and
forbidding the sale of liquors to minors and
intoxicated persons" These sentiments are
no doubt those of all christian denomina-
lions. 1t seems strange, therefore, that
with the best sentiment everywhere in favor
of closing saloons on Sunday, and with laws
prohibiting the sale of intoxicating bever-
ages on that day there is more drunkenness
on Sunday than any other day. The peo-
pie know, of course, who are to blame for
this condition of affairs. Sooner or later
in every city in the country, in which the
authorities neglect to enforce the law
against selling intoxicating beverages on
Sunday, the voice of the law and order
element of the people will make itself heard
so distinctly that there will be haste to
obey it.
The platform quotes from Cardinal Glib
bons' book that Gin honoring and upholding
labor the nation is strengthening its own
hands as we'll as paying tribute to worth,
for contented and happy working classes
are the best safeguard of republic" 1t
takes the ground that the laboring classes
have the right to form societies for their
mutual protection and benefit, but not to
promote nibiisn, socialism, and com
munism, and this undoubtedly is
the right ground. If labor
organizations were to confine their
efforts to protecting their interests
and lettering their condition they would
always have the support of public opinion.
1t is only when they are led into interfering
with the rights of others, or into making
war upon society, that they encounter a
hostile public. The greed of capitalists,
and the methods they sometimes employ to
increase their wealth, are as heartily con-
demned as are the means sometimes en-
ployed by labor to compel recognition of
what it considers is due to it.