The sun., 1891-06-09


very existence OF family life.
And such interference 10 not only unjust,
but Is quite certain 10 hsrsss and disturb oil
classes Of citizens aud TO subject them to od-
Gus and intolerable slavery. 1t would open
the door TO envy. TO evil speaking. and to quar-
rellinR; the sources Of wealth would themselves
run dry. for no one would have any interest In
exertinR his talents or his Industry: and that
ideal equality OF which so much 10 said would
in reality be the levellinR down OF all 70 the
same condition Of misery and dlshonor.
Thus It 10 clenr that the main tenet OF Social.
ism. the community OF goods. must be utterly
rejected: for II would injure those whom II Ia
intended to benefit, It would be contrary TO
the natural rights OF mankind. and 1t would
introduce confusion and disorder into tho
commonwealth. Our first and most fun
damental principle. therefore. whom We
undertake 10 alleviate the condition OF
the masses. must be tho inviolability OF
private property This laid down, We 40 on to
show whore we must nnd the remedy that we
seek.
wo approach tho subject with confidence.
and in the exercise OF the rights which belong
to us. For no practical solution OF this aues-
tion will ever DO found without tho assistance
Of roliaion and OF the Church. 1t is We who
are the chief guardian OF religion and the
chief dispenser OF what belongs to tho
Church. and We must not by silence
neglect the duty which lies upon us.
Doubtless this most serious question demands
tho attention and the efforts OF others besides
ourselves-of the rulers OF States. OF employ
ers O, labor. OF tho wealthy and OF tho work
Ing population themselves for whom We plead.
But We affirm without hesitation thst all the
striving Of mon will be vain II they leave ont the
Church. 1t is tho Church that proclaims from
the Gospel those teachings BY which tho con.
Hict can be put an end to. or at the least made
far less bitter; the Church uses Its efforts not
only to enliehten tho mind. but to direct BY It's
precepts tho life and conduct Of mon: tho
Church improves and ameliorates the con-
diiion OF the workinsman by numerous use.
full organizations; does its best to en-
list tho services OF all ranks In discuss.
ing and endeAvering to meet. in tho
most practical way. the claims Of the working
classes; and acts on tho decided view that for
those purposes recourse should be hsd. in due
measure and degree. to tho help OF ths law
and Of State authority.
Let It be laid down. in the nrst place. that
humanity must remain as 1t Is. 1t is impossi-
bic 10 reduce human society to level. The
Socialists may do their utmost but all striving
against nature is vain. There naturally exist
among mankind innumerable differences OF
the most important kind: people differ in
capnbiity. in diligence. In health. and in
strength: and unequal fortune is a necessary
result OF inequality In condition. Such In
equality Is far from being disadvantaeeous
either to individuals or to the community:
social and public life can only 20 on By
the help OF various kinds OF capacity and the
playing Of many parts and each man. as
rule. chooses the part which peculiarly suite
IT,. 1ok koN
man never fallen from the state Of Innocence, he
that which would then have been his free
choice and his delight. became afterward COM
rulsory. and tho painful expiation OF his sin.
Cursed be the earth in thv work. in thy labor thou
shalt eat Of it all the days Of thu lle.' In
like manner. the other pains and hard
ships Of life will have NO end or cossa-
tion on this earth for the consequences OF
sin arc bitter and hard to bear, and they must
he with man as long as life lasts. To suffer
and to endure. therefore. Is the lot Of human
ity: let men try as they may. no strength and
no artlfice will ever succeed in banishinR from
human life tho ills and troubles which beset It.
II any there are who pretend dffferently-who
hold out to . hard-pressed people freedom
from pain and tronble undisturbed repose.
and constant tenjoyment-they cheat the poo
promises will only mako the evil worse than
before. There is nothing more useful than to
look at tho world as 1t really Island at the
some time to look elsewhere for q remedy to
its troubles.
The great mistake that 10 made in the mat
ter now under consideration, Is to possess one
self OF tho idea that class 10 naturally hostile
to class: that rich and poor are intended BY
nature to live at war with one another. 30 ir.
Z rstional and so false Is this view that the ex-
act contrary is the truth. Just as tho SYM
metry Of tho human body Is the result Of tho
disposition OF tho members OF the body. so In
o state 1t Is ordained by nature that these two
classes should exist iu harmony and agree
ment. and should. as 1t were. fit into ono an
other. SO as TO maintain tho equilibrium OF the
body polite. Each requires the other: capi-
tai cannot DO without labor. nor labor
without capital. Mutual agreement results
in pleasantness and good order: perpetual
conflict necessarily produces confusion and
outrage. Now. in preventing such strife as
this. and In making It impossible. the efficacy
OF Christianity is marvellous and manifold.
First OF all. there Is nothing more powerful
than religion tof which the Church IA tho IN
terpreter and Ruardianl in drawing rich and
poor together by reminding each class OF its
duties to tho other. and especially OF the duties
Of Justice. Thus religion teaches the laborInR
man and the workman to carry out honestly
and we'll all equitable agreements freely made:
never to injure capital. or II outrage the per.
son Of an employer; never to employ violence In
his own cause. or to enRnee In
riot or disorder: and to have nothing to do
with men OF evil principles. who work upon
The people with srtful promises. and rnise
foolish hopes which usually end in disaster
and in repentance when too late. Religion