The Irish standard., 1904-10-22
SOCIALISM
Synopsis Of Able Address Del
ivered by Rev. DR.. Kerby. fl
How to Combat the Evil is
Pointed Out,

|
es the following synopsis of DIR. Ker-
by's paper on Socialism,:
Socialism is one of the forms of or
ganized social discomfort. AS such it
must be classed With unionism, single
tax. populism, Catholic and general re-
form activity, municipal leagues, etc.
Fundamentally the same psychological
factors produce all, viz: dissatisfaction
with conditions as they are, and an eff
fective desire to improve conditions by
reform. These forms of social move
ment are not differentiated primarily
by their form of protest so much as
by the plan Of reform proposed.
The elements that make reform
movements are permanent in the hui
man race. Hence to look upon Social
| ism as the arbitrary creation of law
less men, to look upon it chiefly as a
form OF atheism, to rest content with
dcnunciations, is an ineXcusable error.
We priests must know it as it is; know
/ it as an effect, understand the causes
which produce it; discriminate in our
dealing with Socialists, and UNDER
stand that abuse and inaccurate infor-
nation would expose us to merited III
dicule and weaken our power.
We cannot learn Socialism from aca-
demic books; we must go to the Social
lists, to their propaganda literature and
press, learn from them what they are
and what produces them. We should
give them credit for honesty and ear
ncstneSs until we know that they do
not merit such consideration. In this
way we will know actually what So
cialism is.
1t must be looked upon as an effect.
Men are not Socialists until they lose
confidence in government. Do the
facts of political rruption-whch
none of us deny-warrant ones des-
pair? Men are not Socialists until they
| believe that honest, humane COMPETE
= ton in industry is impossible. Who
doubts the extent, variety of pernicious
and viI;inous deception, adultera ton,
cheating and defraudng that go on
/ daily?
Men are not Socialists until they be-
lieve that the interests of wealth dis
place those of men us men in our in
stitutions. Can we deny that appear
anccs go to show that wealth is too
powerful?
When these facts of political corrup-
ton are marshaled, when by their side
we place the facts and dishonest bust
ness methods universally met with;
when we review the role of money in
our institutions, we have before us n
set Of facts appalling in their magni-
tudc, and disheartening in their sig
niiicance.
We conservatives think always Of
what our institutions have done; many
think always of what our institution
have failed to do From among these
come our Socialists.
The hideous aspects Of our moral,
social, industrial, political life are
heapcd up in consciousness, and these
men live in the presence of that des-
pair begetting power. You may say
that Socialists are lazy, or idle, or i'll
temperate, or vicious. l care not. l
wish to insist mainly on one point:
that Socialism is an effect natural,
necessary. unavoidable in present his
torical circumstances. II we priests
wish to deal with it in a way worthy
of our power, we must take hold of
the conditions which produce it. The
church must oppose it. for it is a men,
I.nce. Immediately, to our institutions,
and remotely to our faith. But the
clergy must stand squarely and face
the facts which are making Socialism.
Let us go to the Socialists and find
out symmthetically what are their
feelings, their intentions. Let us face
the evils which they rightly criticize,
and make war on them. But let us
never contnc ourselves to resolutions
or condcmnations of organized Social
ism.
\ body of public leaders who will
vote Il condemnation of Socialism and
he silent about the deplorable phases
Of our political, commercial and indus
trial life, would not show the wisdom
nr perception that we may legitimate
ly expect of those who attempt to di-
rect public opinion.
or course, l do not underrate the
force of the Socialistic propaganda,
nor do forget that men may be talked
into it. In as far as this is the case,
there is some good in resolutions, hon
est opposition and enlightened warn
ing. But tho main power of Socialism
is in the evils which we see and the
despair which they engender This is
particularly the case since education
is universal, democratic equality of
man and man is taken as an axiom.
and the individual believes in his OWL
value as never before.
The main emphasis in Catholic ac-
ton should be laid on practical re-
form work. In Catholic Europe we
find admirable results. \ coherent,
timely philosophy Of reform has been
worked out. and the clergy are actively
q