The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-28


ileged to examine an early
copy of Socialism and La
Dor and Other Arguments the new
book by Bishop Spalding. of the An
thracite Strike commission, which has
Just been issued by A. c. mcclure
Chicago While Il book from so emin-
ent a pen would at all times command
attention. this particular volume at this
time has special interest because of the
opportunity it affords to get an IN
sight into the opinions and mental
characteristics Of one of the Judges OF
our fate.
We have marked for quotation IL few
passages which will, we think, fairly
exhibit the bishops point of view. In
the chapters treating especially Of So
cialism he summarizes fairly the argu-
lnents of it's odvocates and then shows
how. without questioning that there are
evils in great need of correction, the
socialistic remedy would be wore than
the disease. In so doing he discusses
the oft-repeated fallacy that as re-
suit of our modern civilization, the rich
1T is says he. "a fact that neither
in Europe Nor in the United States is
there n chasm between the enormously
rich and the very poor, but there Is Il
gradation of possession from the beg
gar to the great capitalist. Most of
what is said about the poverty and
misery of the working class is applic-
l>In tf, .Iat 1oc 6na
social resduum, which may be COM
pared to the stragglers and camp fol-
lowers Of the army and the social gulf
is not between the rich men and
steady, thrifty laborers. but rather be-
tween these latter and the crowd of
Ioafers and criminals. That the cause
of this disparity is moral rather than
economic, whoever observes may see;
and this fact gives emphasis to the
great truth that all real amelioration
in the lot Of human beings depends on
religious, moral and intellectual con-
ditions," and, inferentially, very little
upon patent nostrums resting upon the
ory rather than upon the broad lessons
of human experience throughout the
ages.
In another place the bishop crystal
Lies his entire philosophy in the preg-
nant sentence: Mans proper meas
ure is character" ana repeatedly, in
comment upon labor movements, warns
workingmen against believing that any
mechanism of their own in way of
union or organization can do for them
a Il
Christian character can do. He is Il
believer in labor unions. and in the
union idea generally rs applied to both
labor ana capital: he is evidently sat
isfied that the trust and the union have
both come to stay, ut least While econ
oinic conditions are as they are, and
his sovereign remedy for the evils in
cidental to them is revival of eff
frctive religion. Indeed the material
ism and sordid money worship of our
age fill him with Il lordiy wrath and
force him almost to the abyss of pes
snism at times. For instance:
1T is manifest that our politics have
become essentially immoral. Neither
party dares to touch any question tha t
II illSIltI anu Iluiitl lItll llittl Dl TAR
if or 10 tarlff looking upon Il wretch
cd financial problem as the only vita!
interest Of a people who lack not
money. but virtue The eternal princl-
pies of justice and morality arc ig-
nored, and our electoral contests have
degenerated into mere struggles for Of
flee; and to suggest that conscience
oh In To tnpt col II,
can politics Is to make ones self rid
icuous." And again. I'VE have no
One institution great enough to inspire
the love and enthusiasm that are the
soul of national unity. Our public life
regards material interests alone: oul
theory Of education is narrow and sup
erticial, aiming chiefly TO develop
smartness, the least desirable quality of
mind, and more sure than any other "a
foster vulgarity; and thus we have
no ideal TO elevate and guide us or fill
US with faith in our destiny In the
meantime, the manners of Europe
threaten us, ana we are permitting the
rapid growth of social customs that are
helpful enough to tyrants, but pernic-
ious in democratic republic"
But it is for American journalism
that the bishop reserves the vials OF
his wrath, Men and brethren, read
this: THE press of our great cities Is
the chronicle of our life, What does
1t record Murders. suicides. robberles
thefts, adulteries, fornications divorces
drunkenness, gambling, incendiarism
fraudulent bankruptcies, official pecu-
lations with now and then a collision
OF trains and destruction OF life and
property by mobs. This fills the news
columns. In the editorials We meet
with reckless assertion, crude general
ization, special pleading, ignorant OF
dishonest statement of half truths, in
sincere praise ana lying abuse of public
men. frivolous treatment Of the highest
and holiest subjects--all thrown into
that form of false reasoning and loose
style which is natural 10 minds thai
have not time to learn anything thor
9ushly And this half-mental and half