, 1891-11-18
GEORGE AND THE 0 P
THE LITTLE GIANT OF SINGLE TAX
ANSWERS THE ENcYcLlcAL.

discussed many phases OF the labor QueS
ton and dealt with the agitation in gen
eral, it was understood to be especially
intended to show beyond all doubt tn,
opposition of his holiness to the single
tax doctrine, and to be the closing argu,
ment, so far as the Vatican is concerned,
in the controversy occasioned by the
position assumed by DIR. McGlynn a few
years since. 1t is true the encyclical
was distinctly and emphatically positive
in its condemnation of socialism; but
the burden of argument was directed
against that proposition which is all of
socialism that the Simon pure single tax
er advocates. In other words, the pope's
chief aim was to prove that private own
ership of land is moral and just and
according to Gods plan. SO, l say, it
was expected that the single takers
would respond to a challenge coming
from such a prominent and influential
quarter.
Henry George, as the chief apostle of
the party, accepted the challenge, and
on Saturday, Oct. II, the pope was pre-
scented with a copy of an ''open letter"
in answer to his encyclical. On the
same day, or Immediately following this
presentation, Mr.. Georges reply ap-
peared in book form in England. Ger
many, France and the United States for
the consideration of the public. The
open letter. contains about 40, 900
words. In my opinion it is the clearest
and most forcible exposition of the
single tax doctrine that has ever been
made. 1t is of course an argument from
u moral rather than an economic stand
point-this was necessary under the cir
cumstances-and Mr.. George endeav-
pred to show that the private ownership
of land. which the Creator intended for
the benefit of all the people, is wrong,
and that only a system which will Sc
cure to all the people the benefits of the
Creators gift is right and just, and is
therefore entitled to the support of all
teachers of morals and all Christians.
That he succeeded, all who read his
open letter" must agree.
He has taken the testimony brought out
by the pope and out of it constructed a
battering ram with which he has ami
Inflated every conclusion of his holiness.
From the Bible and the teachings of
Jesus Christ he has drawn an array of
arguments against which the e~ncyclical
letter cannot stand. / do not intend any
~discourtssy to Pope Leo or his ecclesias-
teal Office by these ~uttersnces; I respect
both the man and his position, and, with
every other friend of labor, I-bave to
thank him for thu interest ne Nh re-
Gently shown in the subject of labor;
but he has erred in Judgment. L be-
1aya hn L. laa,rO,a 80 ha1ytn1 the -0Ar
and 1 hope he is open to conviction. il
he is, we shall hear from him again
when he has carefully considered Henry
Georges mastery presentation.
Mr.. Georges letter is so full of good
things that it is difficult to select from
it for reproduction in n limited space,
but the following excerpts impress me
as being particularly striking:
God cannot contradict himself nor impose
on his creatures laws that clash. II 1t be Gods
command TO men that they should not steal,
that is to say, that they should respect tue
right OF property which each one has In the
fruits of his labor; and II he be also the Father
of all men, who in his common bounty has in
tended all to have equal opportunities for
sharing; then, In any possible stage Of ciyili-
zation, however elaborate. there must be some
way In which the exclusive right to the prod
uClS OF INDUSTRY may Do IeCOuCllbu 4 IN
equal right to land. II the Almighty be con-
sistent with himself, 1t cannot be, as say those
socialists referred to by you, that In order to
secure the equal participation of men In the
opportunities OF life and labor we must ignore
the right of private property. Nor yet can 1t
be, as you yourself in the encyclical seem to
argue, that TO secure the right of private
property we must ignore the equality of right
In the opportunities of life aud labor. To say
the one thing or the other is equally to deny
the harmOnv Of GOdfa laws. Hut the Urlyate
possession OF land, subject to the payment to
the community Of the value of any special adj
vantage thus given to the individual, satisfies
both laws, securing to all equal participation
in the bounty of the Creator and to each the
full ownership of the products Of his labor.
1t is only fair to explain here that Mr..
George understands .'those socialists re-
ferred to by you" (the pope) to be com
munists. Modern or estate" socialists
do not ignore the right of private prop
erty.
In answer to the pope's claim that
what is bought with rightful property is
rightful property, Mr.. George says:
Clearly, purchase and sale cannot give, but
can only transfer ownership. Property that in
itself has no moral sanction does not obtain
moral sanction by passing from seller to buyer.
II right reason does not make the slave the
pEOptIAg VI II SlhNc nuutcE IL v hDb u
him the property Of the slave buyer. Yet your
reasoning as to private property In land would
AS well Justify property In slaves. . The
Arabs are not wanting In acumen. Your en-
~Gycical reaches far What shall your warrior
monks say IL when at the muzzle OF their rifles
they demand of some Arab slave merchant his
miserable caravan, he shall declare that he
bought them with his savings, and producing q
copy of your encyclical, shall prove by your
reasoning that his slaves are conseQuep ly
only his wages in another FORM" and ask Il
they who bear your blessing and own your I l.
thorlty propose to deprive him of the liberty oil
disposing of his wages and thus of all hope and
possibility of increasing his stock aud better
ing his condition in life7"
The encyclical declares that private
property in land does not deprive any
one of the use of land. The earth
though divided among private owners
ceases not thereby to minister to tn,
needs of all" Mr.. George in replyin,
to this makes use of the following to il
lustrate his point:
II you VIII 70 TO Scotland, ysu mSy see grea
tracts that under the Gaelic tenure, which rec
oxniEed the right of each TO a foothold IN tn
soil. bred sturdy men, but that now, under tn
recognition Of private property in land, ar
given up to wild animals. II you go to Irelant
your bishops will show YOU, on lands wher
Worthy of "a Trial.