The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-08
THE GODLEssNEss OF SOCIALISM

socialism IS the most ambitious remedy
that has been offered. Socialism cannot
well be defined. 1t has not vital prin-
ciple, because ii has not God in 1t. 1t en-
bodies no God because it does not recognize
the God-given qualities in human nature.
1t is not a constructive force. 1t has no
justice, no humanity, no progress.
The foregoing is the opinion of Colonel
Carroll ID. Wright, the best informed man
in regard to the conditions of labor in this
country. expressed in a recent address be-
fore the West Virginia University. Colonel
Wright is not what some persons would
sneeringly denounce as a narrow believer
in creeds, since in religious belief he is a
Universalist or Unitarian. Yet, as a close
student of all movements affecting the we'll
being of the human race, he declares that
social or political movement which has
not God in it, is without a vital princi-
pie" Christianity however narrowly con-
ceived, has been a constructive force for
nent fact in history that no civilization
has been able to withstand the curse of
paganism. The story of the worlds march
from feudalsm and distraction to nation
ality and internal peace justifies confidence
in the uplifting of the human race to those
who can see that God works increasingly
and has all eternity under His command.
Most of the European leaders in the adj
vocacy Of socialism are atheists. In this
country there are doubtless natives who
call themselves Socialists who claim to be
believers in a Supreme Being. but wher-
ever there is large organization of Social
lists the leaders are not only atheists, but
they use their influence to make their fol-
lowers believe there is no God. In Chicago
the Socialists hold Sunday-school for the
purpose of teaching the heresies which
seem to be a part of socialism, namely,
hostility to existing forms of government,
the arraying of the poor against the rich.
and atheism. 1t is related that a lecturer
in one of these schools recently happened
to speak of God, whereat one of the Social
lists present asked him if he believed in
God. 1t is said he gave great offense
when ne admitted that he believed in a
Supreme Being. The number of such schools
is increasing in Chicago. Some of them
are so opposed to anything which has refer
ence to Christianity that they object to
calling their meetings. for children Sunday
schools. The songs in the socialistic song
books, the singing of which is a prominent
| feature in the children's meetings, are de-
| signed to make the young who imbibe their
| sentiments not only Socialists, but law.
| hating Anarchists. That the Chicago So
cialists are little better than Anarchists
| is indicated by the fact that a Socialist
mass meeting, held soon after the assas-
sination of President Mckinley, unanimous.
| ly voted down resolution declaring that
the Socialists of that city condemned that
| crime.
| Such teachings will educate few hun
| dred, or, perhaps, a few thousand law.
| breakers, ready to join in assault upor
| constituted authority, but in the country
| at large they will not commend themselve.
| to intelligent and law-respecting American
| people. The fact that every President of the
| United States has been a believer in God
| and that all of the patriotic men who's,
names are revered by the American PEG
| pie were Christian men, is sure to hold tn,
| great mass of thinking people TO a genera
belief in Christianity-the invisible bu
vital force which has made us a nation.