The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-27
THU POPES ENCYCLICAL
Full Text Of the Great Doc
un1ent Given Out.
Careful Resume Of the Let
ter'S Contents.
The Doctrines OF Socialism De-
nOunced.
Capital and Labor Should Work
in Harmony.
The Duties and Privileges of Gov
eminent Pointed Out.
The Doctrines OF Socialism De
nOunced.
Capital and Labor Should Work
in Harmony.

ROME, May 21.-In his exordium the pope
dilstes upon the task which he has set himself
in defining for the guidance of the church, its
position toward the existing 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 consideration, yet, he says solution
can be obtained by applying the eternal prin-
ciples on which the teachings of the church
are always based. Now, ss ever, mems rela-
tions toward each other as individuals parts
of society must have the sanction of the old
authority. The law is stated in Deuteronomy
vi, 81: MON eoncupices prorimo t,ti.
dOHlua non Ggrunl, itOn dnc'HuIR non boron
non dSinum et uniUerSd quail illus sURt"
The divine law therefore rejects the socialist
solution OF the social problem, which would
abolish private property, substituting col
lective and common ownership.
Proceeding to the consideration of the state
to the individual the pope says: TO think
that the authority of the state ought arbi-
trarily to invade families in their intimacy is
great and pernicious error. Undoubtedly
il can intervene when the condition Of the
family is disastrous. but only to alleviate il and
safeguard the rights and interests of public
power without violating the rights Of indiyid-
uals To 60 beyond these limits would violate
the nature of things. The state should not
destroy nor absorb paternal power TO conciliate
the rights of the state, of the capitalist and of
the proletariat We affirm unhesitatingly that
human efforts are important without the con-
currencs Of tho church.
A long demonstration follows. recalling all
that the church has done to the lot of the
proletairat The pope says: "a capital error
is to believe that the rich and the poetariat are
condemned by nature TO battle and duel with
out end. The one has need OF the other. Capt.
tai is powerless without work and workmen
are powerless without capital. The prnletariat
cannot and ought not to iniure either capital or
master. But in order to obtain respect for
their rights they must abstain from violence.
They ought not TO have recourse 10 sedition
nor 10 listen to the .chimercal promises of
agitators.
On the other hand. masters ought to respect
the individuality and dignity OF the man and
Christian workmen and not abuse them In
humanely in their work nor exploit them
beyond 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, il is necessary that
there should be a cooperation OF human means.
The state ought TO favor the prosperity of soci-
ETY. as much as OF individuals. 1t ought TO
watch over the purity, morals and interior order
of families, the safe-keepng of religion, justice
and moderation, and the equitable division of
the public charges, all of which contribute
the proletarat The larger this general pros
perity, the less will workers seek recourse to
xceptional meane TO ameliorate their condi-
tons. Proletarians have the same right as
citizens as the rich, consequently they have a
right to the same interest on the part of the
state.
Governments should carefully observe their
obligations in the distribution of justice. Alb
solute equality, however, is n chimera; social
hierarchies are based on natural principles.
The state ought TO that all covenants
related TO work are conscientiously opposed
and should oppose anything that might cause
popular passions. Yielding 10 unhealthy excl
tations will provoke trouble and violence. Small
wages often give rise TO strikes disastrous not
only TO the workmen and their masters, but 20
the general interests of commerce and public
industry.
Governments ought to prevent explosion at
these crises. The moral dignity, which sequal
among the poor and rich. exacts respite 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 excessive
and dishonest profits. mans work should
not go TO such an extent that be Is forced 10
succumb under excess OF corporal fatigue.
Everybody's physical forces are limited and
humanity forbids that they should be
oeeded. Consequently. expediency lie shown
in certain Limitation of working hours,
pose, varying according to conditions OF time,
place. public health and the nature OF the
work.
The question of wages is particularly delicate.
Justice exacts and 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 obliga'
tions are executed An element OF this ques-
ton is thata workman ought to he able with
his salary to provide the necessaries OF life.
In all these questions II is essential that state
representatives should not intervene iuconsid-
erately. II will suffice to reserve examination
Of these points 10 the judgment OF associa-
tons in order 10 safeguard the inter
ests of both employer and employed.
The tuteage and authority OF the
state ought to intervene only as much
as general interests demand. great social
advantage lies in laws which favor multi
pIcity OF properties. These are the best
means to prevent opposition between extreme
riches aud extreme poverty but it is also neces-
sary that properties shall not be overtaxed.
The state commits an injustice in undue er-
actions from individuals. Institutions Tor aid
ing the poor aud facilitating a Cancellation be-
tween the various social classes are especially
useful in obtaining desirable results.
Following this idea the pope then partic-
ularly mentions associations for mutual succor
and institutions for insura nee In case OF acci-
dents, sickness and death, and the
protection OF children and girls. The pope at
taches particular portance to working peoples
associations, aud says that ancient corporations
so useful in the past ought TO be adapted 20
present needs. The associations, he adds.
would better answer the ends for which they
were formed If they were composed OF both
workmen and their masters and their action
ought 10 develop more and more.
EThc pope then expiates on the advantage OF
the liberty and right OF combination, rs long
as these associations do not present any in
couveuiences 20 public interests. But in sup
pressing associations the state ought TO take
precautions not TO violate the rights OF
individuals and ought not to advance the ex-
ouse of public utility as a pretext 10 abandon
sound political principles. Unhappily it often
occurs that these associations are made the
puppets of wire pulers exploiting their pow
srty. It is important to create counter associa-
tons to withdraw workmen from these unjust
expressions