The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-05-28
LEO ON LABOR.
The Pope's Long-Talked-of Encycllcai on
Social Questions.

+ ROME, May 23.-The full text of the
pope's encyclical has appeared. In his
exordium the pope dilates upon the
task which he has set himself in de-
fining for the guidance OF the
church its position toward the ex-
isting social questions. His holiness
refers to the pressing importance of
the matter and the difficulty in dealing
with it arising from its complex
character, owing to the numerous
concurrent factors requiring COD sidera-
tion, yet, he says, solution can be OBJ
tanned by applying the eternal prin-
ciples on which the teachings of the
church are always based Now
as ever mems relations toward
each other as individuals o. parts
of society must have the sane
tion of the old authority. The divine
law deuteronomy vi, 2D reje cts the
socialist solution of the social problem,
which would abolish private property,
substituting collective and common
ownership. Proceeding to consider the
relations of the state to the individual
the pope says:
ought arbitrarily to invade family intimacy is
a great and pernicious error. Undoubtedly it
can intervene when the condition Of the family
is too disastrous, but only to alleviate it and
to safeguard the rights and interests
of public power without violating the
rights of individuals. To 60 be-
yond these limits would violate the
nature Of things. The state should not de-
stroy or absorb paternal power to conciliate
the rights Of the state, Of the capitalist and Of
the proletariat. We affirm unhesitatingly that
human efforts arc impotent without the con-
currence OF the church"
A long demonstration follows recalling all
that the church has done to better the lot Of
the proletariat. The pope says:
"A capital error is to believe that the rich
and the proletariat are condemned by nature
to battle and duel without end. The one has
need of the other. Capital is powerless with
out work and workmen are powerless without
capital. The proletariat cannot and ought not
to injure either capital or master. But in order
| to obtain respect for their rights they must ab
stain from violence. They ought not to have
recourse to sedition to listen to the chimer-
ical promises OF agitators.
"On the other hand masters ought to respect
the individuality and dignity Of the man and
Christian in workmen and not abuse them in
humanely in their work nor exploit them be-
yond their forces Let masters remember that
the Divine and the human law forbids them
to draw profits from the misery Of the poor.
But besides the religious means 1t is neces-
saIy that there should be q cooperation OF
human means. The state ought to favor the
prosperity OF society as much as Of individuals.
1t ought to watch over the purity, morals and
| interior order Of families the safe keeping Of
| religion, justice and moderation, and the equal
division Of the public charges, all Of which con-
tribute largely to the amelioration Of the con-
ditions Of the proletariat. The larger this gen.
ersl prosperity the less will workers seek re-
| course to exceptional means to ameliorate their
conditions
"Proletarians have the same rights as citi-
zens as the rich, consequently they have
right to the same interest on the part Of the
state. Governments should carefully observe
their obligations in the distribution OF justice.
Absolute equity, however, is chimera. Social
hierarchics are based on natural principles.
The state ought to see that all covenants re-
lated to work are conscientiously observed and
should oppose anything that might cause popu-
| lar passions Yielding to unhealthy excita-
tions would provoke trouble and violence.
Small wages often give rise to strikes disas-
trous not only to the workmen and their mas
tiers but to the general interests Of commerce
and public industry. Governments ought to
prevent an explosion at these crises.
The moral dignity, which is equal among
the poor and rich, exacts repose from work on
certain days. The state ought to care for the
workmen and not let them become the prey Of
spectators and usurers who are seeking to
abuse their weakness in order to obtain ex
elusive and dishonest profits. A mans work
should not 60 to such an extent that he is
forced to succumb under an excess Of corporal
fatigue. Everybody's physical forces are linn
tied and humanity forbids that they should be
exceeded"
The pope attaches particular importance to
working peoples associations, and says that
| -
adapted to present needs. These associations,
he adds, would better answer the ends for
which they we're formed If they were composed
Of both workmen and their masters, and their
action ought to develop more and more.
The pope greatly praises their endeavoring
to better the condition Of the proletariat, to
tablish bonds of mutual equity between work.
men and their masters, to maintain the senti
ment of reciprocal duties and to combat intem-
perance among workmen. His holiness says:
'The question Of wages is particularly deli
cate. Justice exacts that an agreed salary
| should be paid At the same time agreements
| entered into by workmen ought to be respected.
The state should see that these reciprocal obli-
cations are executed. An element Of the ques
tion is that the workman ought to be able with
his salary to provide the necessities of life.
In all these questions it is essential that
state representatives should not intervene in.
considerably. 1t will suffice to reserve exami.
nation Of these points to the judgment Of asso.
| Citations in order to safeguard the interests OF
both employers and employed. The tutelage
and authority Of the state ought to intervene
only as much as general interests demand. A
great social advantage lies in laws which
| favor a municipality Of properties. These are
the best means to prevent opposition between
extreme riches and extreme poverty, but it is
also necessary that the properties shall not be
overtaxed. The state commits an injustice In
undue exactions from individuals. Institu.
tions for aiding the poor and facilitating q
conciliatlon between the various social classes
are especially useful in obtaining desirable re-
SUITS"
Following this idea the pope then particular.
ly mentions associations for mutual succor and
institutions for insurance in case Of accidents,
sickness, and genuine workmen's associations
and bishops encouraging them, and finally rich
Catholics acting as voluntary friends Of prole-
tarians, contributing with money to develop
these associations. and says:
I'm the presence OF the efforts Of so many
generous minds we have not the right to de.
spair Of our times. Let the state protect the
right of legitiment associations among citizens,
but let it take care not to interfere with the
| internal order Of life Of any one. The real
condition of life is that it proceed from
internal movement. Exterior conditions
ought only to facilitate pnlsations having
IN internal origin. These associations ought
10 De administered Oy uprlgnb men VINO IN
crises and difficulties may fulfill the role Of
equitable arbitrators. The conclusion from all
| these complex questions is that universal CO
operation is necessary and that everybody
ought to help willingly under the auspices OF
faith and Christian morality"
Rudini's Advice.
ROME, May % italian emigrants to
America are returning home in such
! numbers as to alarm the government
in view of the fact that nearly every
one of those who arrive is entirely des-
titute. Prime Minister Rudini has in
structed the Italian consuls to per-
suade their country people who wish
to return home that it would be
better for them to 60 elsewhere
| in America than to come back
in a destitute condition, as they will
fnd their former places filled and
the labor market frightfully over.
stocked.
Thrown in Front Of o Train.
NEW ORLEANS, May ga story OF
| an o<rooio,,c c,-i,,,o coYuoc in from, Poc.