New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-08
THE POPE,S ENCYCLICAL.
ARCHBISHOP coRR1GAN COMMENTS ON IT.
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF

PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE
Archbishop Corrigan spoke yesterday morning In 81
Patnck's Cathedral the Pope's Encyclcai Letter.
the authorized English version OF which arrived on the
Etruria ON Saturday. 1t will be communicated 70 the
bishops Of New York city soon as possible ana oy
them distributed TO their dioceses In opening his ser
mon the Archbishop said
aIn the whole history Of the Church probably 10
single document has been awaited with such eager
and universal expectation In OF other encychcas
the world knew of them a rule onywhen they were
published This has been long and anxiously looked
for in advance. This keenly interests all classes
and all countries, of every creed and OF no creed
for who Is there in the wide world who in his own per
son. In his sympaties at least, is not ranged under
the banners Of either capital or laborl we, III
this diocese particularly, under special oongauo
nnsmuch tho most strilngly pronounced teachings
in this encycllce refute directly that fora time
TO certain extent at least found acceptance In New
York. -.
"In the letter under consideration the Pontif I'M
doubtedly speaks as universal teacher. He says he
is compelled to speak In discharge of his apostolic
Office The value OF the present encyclca Is this :
The sovereign PontiR adopts the common teaching Oh
philosophers and theologans, and, so TO say caoAeS
IT, making II hereafter the teaching OF the Catohc
Church. Thus the doctrines contained In me
pastoral letter OH the ownership OF prlVae
property addressed to this diocese a few years
ago. represented then only the common opinions I"
theoIogans. They represent Catholic teschnlg'
The doctrines contained In the Encyccal on the con
dlion OF the working classes Catholic doctrines
On account of the limits of time propose
this morning merely to touch the foremost and
most important part Of the Encyccal, which treats
of the right Of private property and to put before You
the arguments Of the Holy Father.
He says: The Socialists proposed remedy for the
conflict between labor and capital is to be sought IN
the abolition of private property and the substitution
OF common ownership. . This solution, firstly,
does not benefit working classes and secondly Is very
unjust and offers violence TO legitimate owners.
n greater security the workman invests his savings
in real estate, he simply puts savings in another
shape recoverable, If desired into money. The land
so purchased Is clearly much his property as tho
wages were with which he bought II. But this Is
neither more less than right Of private property
To deprive the working classes Of the opportunity OF
Safeguarding and of increasing their little hoard ana
thus providing for the future, Is not beneht TO then
but an injury. The Socialists would therefore make
the condition Of the working man worse thah
.
earth to 1t IS perfectly true that God gave tine
and fuitOn OF this earth to all mankind not indeed
that all men should have unlimited and common
dominion over It, but that the Almighty assigned no
vidual. The phrase means that all, by legltlmate
means may acquire portions Of II suited to their wants
and capacities. SO luminous IS the force OF these
arguments that 1t Is surprising that az TINS late DAY
men should attempt TO revive theories long since
obsolete, namely that private persons may use the
soil and enjoy It's products. but none may rlghtuiIy
own the ground on which the house Is buht or tne
1T may be laid down as fundamental principle
Of tho Catholic Church that private property must be
held nvioate'