The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1901-12-28
cREELMAN VERSUS GAME.
Author of "on the Great Highway
Replies to English Writer.


Replies to English Writer.
James Creelman, one of the foremost
newspaper correspondents of the world,
who is always where interesting events
are transpiring, and where noted men
are to be interviewed, and whose
| travels hase brought him to the re-
motest quarters of the globe, has re-
Gently published the most important
and most interesting of his experiences
| in a charming book entitled "On the
Great Highway" The first chapter of
the book is devoted to an interview
with Pope Leo XIII. 1t is with this
chapter that Hall Caine finds fault. The
chapter includes the Pope's message to
] the world, which Mr.. Caine declares is
indefinite and vague. Replying to his
structures. Mr.. Creelman says:
Hall Gaines powerful and charac-
teristic letter discussing my new book,
On the Great Highway raises two
profound issues that lie close to the
heart Of men and women everywhere.
Leaving aside the great noYelist's
tlattering opinion of ON the Great
Highway, | cannot agree with him
that the words of the White Shepherd
of Rome conveys no definite message to
the world. Mr.. game declares that the
Pope's appeal for the return of the
sick human race to the Christian re-
ligion leaves undisturbed the great
inequalities of rich aud poor, which
are the manifest causes of the worlds
unrest Mr.. Caine says:
Perhaps it is too much to expect
the Holy Father to be more definite.
His obligations are too many. the
claims upon him are too pressing; per-
haps, if one may say so without Of
Tense his own position is too perilous.
For my own part, having none of
these responsibilities, / do not hesitate
to say plainly that the only solution 1
see of the grievous social and economic
problems that weigh on the world at
present lies in the direction of the tri-
umph of democracy. But this means the
downfall of all forms of arrogated au-
thority, even when they come in the
guise of a benevolent despotism hav-
ing its only logical seat on the tenn
pOral throne of the Sovereign POntiff'
But in what manner does this dec
laration convey a definite meSsage?'
There are in the United States, for in
stance, as many factions which differ
as to what programme will produce
the triumph of democracy as there
are Christian sects. The triumph of
democracy is a result. not means.
The downfall of all forms of AFRO
gated authority is also result and
not a means. Mr. Gaines criticism of
that beautiful and tender entreaty of
Leo XIII to Protestants and Catholics
alike answers itself.
Although l am not a member of the
Catholic Church, it SENS to me that the
august Pontiff speaks to the world dis
tinctly and definitely in On the Great
pointing out both the means
and the object when he says:
L have watched the growing help
lessness of the suffering working
classes throughout the world with anX-
iety and grief. l have studied how to
relieve society of this terrible con-
fusion.
Human law cannot reach the real
seat of the conflict between capital and
labor. Governments and legislatures
are helpless to restore harmony. The
various nations must do their work,
and / must do mine. Their work is
local and particular, such as the main
tenance of order and the enforcement
of amelioratiYe laws. But my work.
as the head of Christendom, must be
universal and on a different plane.
" The world must be re-Christian-
lied. The moral condition of the work
insman and his employer must be i'm
proved. Each must look at the other
through Christian eyes. That is the
only way. How vain are the efforts of
nations which seek TO bring content |
ment to man and master by legislation, |
that the Christian religion
alone can draw men together in love |
and peace. As the wealth of the world |
increases, the gulf between the laborer |
and his employer viii widen and deep !,
en- unless it be bridged over by Chris |
tian charity and the mutual forbear- /
ance which is inspired by Christian |
morals