The record-union., 1893-08-05
the Pope. we present the succeeding ex-
pressiOn:'

the Pope, we present the succeeding ex-
preston:
Inc masses, who do not perceive nicettes
OF hght and shade. seeing those moving in a
superior condition of Lille adherents of the
principles OF socialism. have allowed them
M seIHes 70 De ollndly led by agitators who have
no real interest in the cause they so loudly up
nold beyond a sordid OF selfish one and
LIE a - "hy strikes are so unproductive of BEN
enclal results. Placed on a basis more social
tHan economic, being more of a struggle than
paclhcatlon, more of an aggression than de-
tense, The strike loses its natural aspect and
nldes Its essence.
strike can be justified .onfy as a means of
deIense, when an individuals interests are
attacked. Never can it be justified as a col
iectlve arm OF aggression. Man has natural
rlehL 70 live and TO work. AS a means OF
procuring living he has right to remove
every obstacle to his work. and to get the
Vdlue OF MS labor. And therefore, when his
itlDoI Is neither productive nor remuneratiYe,
ne mas Inc right to refuse to continue IT, But
an industrial right cannot be transformed
tnto l collective right, nor can an arm of de-
4ehse De changed in 10 an arm of aggre sion, to
cause means OF good to degenerate into a
source OF harm. An aggressive strike is not
eclprocal between operator and operative,
put an instrument of attack upon the proprie-
Cor ana property. The operative on the strike
Is a passive and dominated instrument. not
an intelligent and free being. While his ac-
ton lessons the ca pital OF his employer. il puts
10 withdraw the operative from an
archist influence, he adds, his wants
must be understood by the governing
powers, who should not leave to un-
scrupulous agitators the monopoly of
social reform. Just demands must be
heard and satisfied, if greater troubles are
to be avoided. There are rapid strides
being made toward anarchist socialism;
the symptoms of the times are of possible
grave disorder.
Demonstrations which have taken place
ana the tumults and riots which have fol-
lowed are most grave symptoms of the situa-
uon, ana call for the serious attention of the
most astute economists and Lawmakers who
must acknowledge democratic soc alism to
nave rlpened into power OF which it is
necessary TO take account. and in face OF which
u IS incumbent to aaopt wise and prudent
lactlcs IN order TO bring about spontaneously
Ihose economic reforms which are based on
equity, justice, mercy and religion.
The Pope here urges the right of the
church to be recognized by governments
as the buckler and shield of rulers and
peoples-it could not be expected that in
an encyclical he would fail to present this
claim.
The next division of the letter, assum-
ing the quotation to be accurate, is worthy
OF careful analysis. With it in the
main we may agree, excepting, however,
the assertion that the potency of religion
IS an "insurmountable obstacle" to error
since it has not in practice so proved, if
the Pope's recitation OF the menace to
society to-day is true.
The potency of religion and charity opposes
an insurmountabe obstacle to a dangerous
movement which human force and human
repression can only make more grave. The
rlgut OF protecting the operative whether in
factory or in field, should be admitted and
Tor this purpose the maximum OF labor as
well as the minimum of salary shOuld he
liked. Hours OF labor should be arranged
giving due attention to Ii day of rest and alb
stention from labor. Institutions should be
iouRded l3, ana maintained for the sick, the old,
tne teeble and for those who are una yoidably
unemployed, while punishment should be
meted out TO the drones OF society.
Laws have been made almost universally
Tor The protection OF women and children
laDOrlng IN factories and elsewhere but in
now many cases have those laws been en-
forced: inspectors OF work should be ap-
pointed everywhere, whose duties should be
10 see that these laws are not inIrnged Thus
the blessing OF heaven would rest upon ma
lions, ana a more calm and equitable state of
things might be expected.
And so the Pope make general decIara-
ton that the great church of which he is
the head thuuders against anarchism.
radical socialism and aggressive striking
in the ranks OF laborers, and in favor of
the rights Of property, as well as the
maintenance of the rights OF the wage
earners, and recognition of their right to
fair wages and fair hours.
That he might have been more en-
phatic in several respects, and much
clearer in expression, goes without say
ing, as, for instance, in the better deini-
tion of the right to conduct business. nm
der the laws, free from menace or COW.
and the right Of labor to be freed from
oppression, unjust restraint and cruel
exactions.
But these are deducable from the whole
text. The recognition of the church as
the one power which alone can deal
successfully with the question, is mat
ter upon which the Pope and thoee who
with us dissent from the doctrine can
afford to agree to disagree.