Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-03-16

munlty OF fortune" by which property
rights are done away with and all that
individuals possess Is regarded as COM
mon property.
To this socialism he contrasts what
he calls Christian democracy which. he
says Is based on the principle Of divine
faith ana studying the advantage Of
all, seeking to perfect human souls for
everlasting Joy a socialism which con-
Germs itself only with temporal matters
he stamps as dangerous. while Chris
tlan democracy he recommends to the
careful consideration and practice OF
al good Catholics
The keynote Of the entire enoyclical
is this. that the institutions of the
church are all-suflclent for the tenn
poral as well as spiritual needs of the
human family. He warns the wealthy
and influential classes that II they do
not heed The evils Of the present time
ana apply the proper remedy. these
evils viii eventually bring destruction
upon all classes. He recommends the
founding Of societies for the social bet
terment OF the people, but under the
supervision OF the bishops. because
nothing beneficial, or pleasing TO God,
can come Of a charity that dlsregards
obedience.
On the duty of the wealthy classes
to lend their struggling brethren help
ing hand. the document says;
What means may be adopted for this
Christian movement win not matter so
much II the principle laid down by VI
be observed. But what matters most
Of al In an affair Of such vast import
ance Is that Catholics should act with
one mind and viii and with one eff
fort, and what Is quite az important Is
that their action should multiply itself
by every human and worldly resource
and go on Increasing and expanding
Those especially are exhorted to take
part In this movement whose station,
means, mental and moral endowments
give them some influence In the COM
monwealth. II these be wanting, scarce
anything can be done that will avail
for advancing the conditions Of the peo-
pie; while, on the other hand. this adj
vancement Is all the more sure and
speedy when a number Of leading ctl-
zens combine together for II. We would
have them consider that they are not
free to mind or to neglect the lot of
the poor but that they are bound to
this by their very duty. that no man
dwells In community for his OIL
benefit simply, but for the good OF all;
SO that what some can not contribute
to the common veal others who can
should contribute abundantly and the !
extent Of the obligation In this matter !
IS to be measured by the abundance lof |
their possessions, for which they must |
make a strict account to God, the Civ
err"
The pope, II will be seen, indirectly |
admits that the evils which socialism |
seeks to remedy are real. and that Il |
remedy is called for. But socialism, he
thinks, Is mistaken in It's idea that a
remedy can be found outside the prin-
ciples on which the church is built. And
this Is true. Rome, however Is not I
guiltless in the matter. She has failed |
TO read the signs Of the times, as seen
In revolutions, bread riots, assassina-
tons, and Industrial disturbances. She
has not listened to the groans OF the
peoples on whose shoulders have been
laid the intolerable burdens OF taxa
ton, much of which has gone TO pay
for wars and war implements. She has
always dispensed charity. but people no
longer demand aims, They ask for JUS
tice. They call for equal opportunities,
Il not for community Of property. And
i Is this appeal that Is ringing
throughout the world.
There ls not much hope that the Ro-
nan church can successfully grapple
with problem, the existence OF which
should have been recognized long before
his. Many Of those who are active in
social ard communistic movements
have drifted away from all church In
luence, and are beyond reconciliation.
Il IL more probable that the reyolu-
ionary movement will continue. until
he present social structure gives way
'or another more suited to the fad-
'anced age. But Rome must be given
,redlt for her recognition, even at u
ate hour OF the seriousness Of the
situation. That Is more than some
,ther large churches have done, though
ney claim TO be far ahead Of Rome.