The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-28
LEO ON LABOH.

LEO ON LABOH.
Social Questions.
Rc1E. 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-
listing 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 considera-
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, 21) rejects the
socialist solution of the social p;oblem.
which would abolish private property,
| substituting collective and common
ownership. Proceeding to consider the
relations of the state to the individual
the pope says:
ITO think that the authority Of tie state
ought arbitrarily to invade family intimacy Is
| o great and pernicious error Undoubtedly Il
| can intervene when the condition Of the family
| Is too disastrous, but only to alleviate II and
| TO safeguard the rights and Interests
| Of public power without violating the
| rights Of individuals. To go 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
| human efforts arc impotent without the con-
currencc OF the church."
long demonstration follows recalling ali
! that the church has done to better the lot Of
the proletarist The pope says:
~ capital error Is to believe that the rich
| to battle and duel without end. The one has
need Of the other. Capital is powcrless with
out work and workmen are powerless without
| capital. The prOletariat cannot and ought not
1 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 scdition nor 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 w0rkmen 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 II is ncces-
sary that there should be 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 ana 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.
eral prosperity the less will workers seek re-
couroe to exceptional means TO amcliorate their
conditions
"Proietarians have the same rights as citi-
zens as the rich. consequently they have q
/ 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 rc
/ lated TO work are conscicntiously 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
| ters 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 rcpcse from work on
i 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
i elusive and dishonest profits A mans work
| should not 60 to such an extent that he Is
i forced to succumb under IN excess OF corporal
fatigue. Everybody's physical forces are lin
tied and humanity forbids that they should be
exceeded"
The pope attaches particular importance to
working peoples associations, and says that
| corporations SO useful in the past ought to be
adapted to present needs. These associations
| he adds. would better answer the ends for
| which they were formed II they were composed
| Of both workm IN and their masters. a1d their
action ought to develop more and more.
The pope greatly praises their endeavoring
TO better the condition of the proletariat, to o.
tablish bonds Of mutual equity between work
men and their masters, to maintain the senti
ment OF reciprocal duties and TO combat intem-
pcrance among workmen. His hol ness says:
.aThe question Of wages is particular deli
cate. Justice exact0 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 obi.
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.
j In oil these questions 1t is essential that
state representatives should not intervene in.
| considerably. II will Sufdce 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 rs much rs general interests demand. A
great social advantage lies in laws which
favor municipality OF properties. These are
the best means to prevent opposition between
extreme riches and extreme poverty, but IL Is
also necessary that the properties shall not be
overtaxed The state commits ON injustice In
undue exactons from individuals. Institu-
tions for aiding the poor and facilitating; .
| conciliatlon between the various social classes
are especially useful in obtaining desirable re-
suits"
Following this idea the pope then particular.
~ 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 rs 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 1t take care not to interfere with the
internal order Of life OF any one. The real
condition OF life is that 1t proceed from
internal movement. Exterior conditions
ought only to facilitate pulsations having
| an internal origin. These associations ought
to be administered by upright men who In
crises and difhculties 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"
| Rudlni's Advice.
ROME, May 23 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. PriuA Minister Rudini has in.