The Delta independent., 1904-05-06

ing the outraged, prosecuted, deported
miners and have no word of condem-
nation for Peabodyism IN Colorado?
Can they tell US why it is that when the
commercial class demands war the pull
pit becomes red-hot with patriotism
and the chaplain in the army draws
nearly ten times the salary OF the work
ingman who does the fighting. Can
they tell us wicked Socialists, who
oppose war and reveal the causes that
create war, who seek to remove the
causes, that war may be immpossible,
why they denounce the only political
party that denounces war? Is it because
the Socialist is a wicked materialist?
We look back through the pages OF
mans history to the day when the
states, victims were Christians; when
the materialism of the class behind the
state found in the church an opponent,
not an ally. When the Christian was
put the rack. the wheel or cast among
wild beasts. When society, in self de-
Tense, condemned him ITO the dungeon
or gallows.' In those days the rich ben
ticiary class were the materiaistic class.
Then there was war between church
and state Behold the change! There
is peace! The state no longer fights the
church. The church no longer indicts
the state. They are allies in peace and
war. The church thinks she has
Christianized the state! But the state
has MArERIALIzED the church. =
BOTH STATE AND CHURCH ARE
THE DEFENDERS OF THE NATE
REALISTIC ORDER.
= y = The philosophy of Socialism is
not antagonistic to religion or to Chris
tianity. On the contrary, 1t is in har-
mony with it. More than that, it is the
onl, foundation upon which the true
Christian religion can be built. With
out economic liberty and equal freedom
Tor all men Christianity is impossible.
Amidst nation OF parasites and slaves
the Christ-spirit can not dwell. The
evils which Socialism would overcome
are the very evils that have made the
Christ-liie an impossibility even to the
exponents OF Christianity: They are
the eternal foes OF true religious life.
The man who preys upon the labor pro-
duet Of his fellow man cannot be a
Christian. Neither can the victim be.
Where parasiteism ilourishes true
Christianity cannot live. Only from the
economic foundation OF social justice
can the well spring OF Christian love
reach the human heart. Inequality Of
oportunity. the result OF private owner
ship OF natures boupties and parasitic
appropriation OF labor products. ia the
cause Of the strife aud struggle and war
in human society.
Equality Of opportunity to all mon.
therefore. is the remedy. Socialism
means to establish social ownership Of
the SOCIAL product-capital. the land
values. etc. That equal opportunity
may be secured for ull to labor and 10
possess the full product OF toll. This is
justice, and upon this eternal founda
t;on-rock Of justice. socialism will build
the superstructure OF society. Is this
materialisiic? Il it criminal to Strive
for righteous economic conditions? II
10 advocate for Socialism is wicked ma
terialism, what kind OF materialism is it
to defend parasi,isms Gi.
In conclusion. We cordially invite the
ola ~ Dali - 4 he 3D.
questions through these columns. II
the doctrine OF Socialism is wrong We
want TO have II so proven. And We
hereby offer the minister who desires 10
serve the cause OF Truth and justice the
opportunity for SO doing. As we would
be pleased TO show that the present So
cial order is based upon unjust materi.
alism and that the church, in SO far az
it upholds cipitalism. upholds the rank
est kind Of materiulism; 80 do we offer
a like opportunity 10, our assailant to
show US the muterialism OF Socialism.
Will lie come forward and produce his
logic? II not, why not?
81 We have the profoundest re-
epect for the Christ life and the Christ
doctrine. By means would we retard
or obstruct it's development in society.
On the contrary we believe in the di-
vinity OF man and the necessity Of
development. We believe under righte-
GUS economic conditions man (ilfe race)
will prove his divine nature. That his
iDhumani,y toward his fellow-man under
the existing parasitic order is eviderce
OF the fact that his material environ
ment is criminally wrong. 1t is the
rankest blasphemy FOR the priests of the
present order to lay man's misconduct
to God or the nature OF man. Neither
Gods nor natures law makes such mis-
takes. 1t is the evil environment OF
parasitism and parasitic education that
curses and crushes the image Of God
out OF man.
Do the priests and law guardians Of
the present order believe in "free moral
agency? Let them beware of their
responsibility For as We look out upon