The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-23

nv Chrtstian Democrats Struggie be
tween the church and the Socialists
for the Control Of the Laboring Glasses.
ROME. Feb. lon Jan. 20. Milan. the
treat. live city OF Italy admired In the
Teatro Fassati a sight worthy Of a Chris
tan pencil. Forty-fve hundred delegates
representing 100 trade organizations and
ios 900 workingmen,~ including 10 1000 women.
applauded the programme OF Christian
Democracy. A workman, Signor Tagliabue
presided. The proceedings began with the
recitation Of the prayer Hal Mary All
these social forces. these power from the
lover strata, these voices from the factories
and the fields humbled their souls. before
the Madonna OF the workman. the poor
and the humble. An electric current is
belne established between Leo XIII. and
the working classes. effective sympathy,
touching gratitude.
On motion OF the President. the $500
delegates sent 20 Signor ~Zancardelh. Presi-
d.nt Of the Council, an eloquent address
protesting against the Divorce bill which
"a now being pushed by the anticlerical
to,oss A Socialist assembly has the right
IN nut such a protest at the head OF its de-
nsnds. Italy has presented the Divine
family feeling. Aprioeless legacy Of Chris
tian tradition, the religion Of the family
like a vivifying and purifying perfume has
maintained in a country inclined TO effemi-
nate weakness the respect for austere
virtues and fruitful life. As far back as
1870 the reform was talked Of. but the
movement was checked by Queen Mar
Rherita and the strength Of popular feeling.
- ~ -nA-sio .A
thus auspiciously heads the social pro-
Rramme Of the Catholic workmen. In
the same address they demand Of the Gov
eminent economic reforms. so that the
life Of the people may improve gradually;
they ask for laws to protect women n
children. for a weekly day Of rest, for
TRADE organizations. for labor unions.
industrial and agricultural, and 90 forth.
II IL the list Of demands which Christian
democracy makes In these countries. so
that there II nothing new or Sensational
In them. What II novel IL the working
mans congress itself, the people coming
TO . knowledge OF its social power, the
joyful, living. effective cooperation Of
the Christian with the democratic ideals:
II d the first carrying into effect Of the
Pope's Encyclioal TO workingmen. For
this reason the meeting Ia important his
torically.
On this side OF the Alps the duel u no
longer between the House Of Savoy and
the Republic. the common people and the
middle classes, anti-clericalism and re-
ligion; It IL being fought within the demoo-
raoy between the Socialist movement and
the Guelph party. A false position Of
Sr1>u that q roVu vouvaftahla
Reforming socialism has in its strictly
social doctrine nothing in contradiction Of
the Gospels and Catholic tradition. The
day will come perhaps when the people,
disguised at the way In which II Ia being
exploited, will return to the loyal straight
path. But the jugglers, the p~yrotechnists
OF militant free thought. frightened at the
Pope's policy. have carried out the flank
movement. which Leo XIII. with his pro-
phetio foresight had ordered the Catholics
20 make. The Pope's directions about the
'ralliement,' about democracy and social
reforms terrified the anticlericals, who,
instead Of the Catholics, have made their
own that most strikingly timely charter.
So the union Of the sectaries with the Social
lists IL being formed openly. For this reason,
particularly In Italy, the extreme Left
has again put on the red cap and is carrying
into the country districts the blended colors
Of socialism and OF violent anticlerical
thought.
The Guelphs are defending themselves.
They have n advantage. the common
people continue 70 be Christian. But the
revolution IL In motion and Il sprea ling
like oil on the waters throughout the villages
OF the North where the country curates
are asleep In their r~etrogade conservatism
Poverty-stricken and pressed down the
oontadino OF the land at the foot Of the
Alps Ia unlike either Balzac's or Zola's
peasants. His type is hat mmortalized
In French literary tradition by Froissart
Rabelais. Montaigne and La Bruyere; he
Is ragged. gloomy, passionate, sickly.
living on polenta. To him the Socialists
bring the good news Of redemption. wher-
ever the priests stick to their sacristies the
Masaniellos OF democracy reap easy crops.
The sufferer Of civilization, as Dostoyew-
ski calls him. the pariah Of the Third
Rome revolt against his den and his
black hearth when he hears their golden
voices. 1t is on thisa account that Rome has
taken action, a vigorous march forward
As In Belgium, the Catholics. by forestall-
ing tne TeNOlutlOuists, may win tne UTsl
battle, perhaps gain the decisive victory.
In France like threats do not ra Use up
like barriers. Yet II the Catholics wish
10 maintain their positions and to snatch
from the anticlericals the people, which
Is still asleep or full Of suspicion. there is
no time to lose, no programme to he put
of. The social movement is rising with
the all powerful impetus of al irresistible
tide and an inevitable need. lnexpressible
sadness comes upon one at the sight OF
timid blindness, Of Byzantine discussions
and Of childish polemics. II is enough
10 make one weep.
What, here, il we may believe every sign
on the horizon, every wave Of the ocean,
every warning Of the pilots, here we have
the democratic spring time bursting forth,
the natural bloom Of twenty centuries Of
Christianity! And Christians. generous
minds, valiant hearts. souls full Of charity,
are amusing themselves with the petty
puzzles Of the past. discussing the law
fulness Of democracy, ~quibbling about what
may and what must he ignored. sinking
into pessimism when those who trust them