The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-12-24

Editor Intermountain Catholic:
In his article which appeared in your issue of
Dec. ) II. d. seems to take gloomy view oil the
industrial conditions obtaining in the civilized
world at present; and in his references to what
shall be in the future there is a noeof despair
The views expressed by your contributor must
necessarily be regarded the distorted fanccs
of morbid mind. In this country, at least the
conditions alluded to are assuredly appalling. The
lurdy yawning gulf between rich and poor is grow
ing greater and more insutferable day by day, and
threatens to- sooner or later engulf the nation IN
a catacIysm dread and dire than any that has
ever afflicted the human race in ages past.
And just the pernicous factors actively at
work in causing this lamentabe state of affairs are
being loudly advertised to the world of readers.
Shall this publicity result in ameGorating the evils.
shall it simply hasten the day of a direful reck-
oning!
The unspeakable gravity of the evils wrought
upon the body polite of the nation by the high
handed and ruthless spoliation of the toiling and
producing masses by the predatory plutocracy of
the land, becomes exasperatingly evident as
one peruses "Frenzed Finance" In Everybody 5
Magazine; "1'he Plum Tree" in Success, or "The
Despotism of Combined Millions" in the Era ma
gazine. The revelations afforded by these stories
of the ruthless debauchery by means of wholesale
bribery and INSCRIPTIONS coercion and chlcSnerv
of the courts and legislatures of the land, and
the other devious and constituencies Vaccinations
b. which an unsuspecting public is plundered of
millions of dollars annually, and the moral char
acter of the people is being surely and speedily
ruined, is appalling in the extreme.
1t is, of truth. a most grave and serious prob
lem with which this long and grievously suffering
American nation is called upon to grapple. 1t Is.
verify struggle unto death that confronts it for
either must this monstrous agency of dire corrup-
ton be summarily destroyed, cherished re
publican institution must crumble and fall as an
inevitable consequence of the moral and spiritual
decay which must be the logical result of the un-
checked reign of this Moloch of iniquity.
Perhaps the most alarming manifestation of the
banefu effects of this fruitful of discomfort
and ruinous strife is the surprisingly rapid growth
of goddess socialism, which, in turn, threatens to
become even more prolific breeder of iniquity,
confusion and destruction.
Is it really surprising that many who over
whemed in mind and heart by the apparent hope
lessness of soulperplexing predicament, should
find themselves forced the conclusion that Chris
tianity has failed in its divine mission to the Amer
lean people,
1t is. of course, easily apparent that to the god
less spirit that is anmating Cor rather let say,
is rayzng) the hearts of the people is nationally
to be attributed the maady with which they af-
hiced. This being admitted the question natur
ally arises, where with whom rests the response
bility for this deplorable state of affairs?
Whatever may be deemed to be the correct an
to this question, there can be 10 doubt IN the
NINA OF the cnllgntCned ana tnOught1u student OF
human motives and events that the Catholic church
only possesses the power and vital influence that
can effect the regeneration of the hearts of man
kind that is absolutely necessary condition pre-
cedent to satisfactory solution of the vitality i'm
portant problem under consideration
When shall this essential regeneration of heart
be consummated! Verify, it would seem that it may
not long be delayed. if this nation is to be saved
from destruction and despair.
And by what means is the benign influence of
Holy Church to be instilled into the hearts of the
people, and thus rendered effective.
This is the .vtaly significant and all-mportant
question that now appeals most mistakenly to the
minds and hearts of all earnest and devoted church
men--the laity as well as the clergy.
1t may SAVIOR of egregious egotism and presump
ton the part of the writer to rashly essay
swer this question He is. however, from time to
time assaulted with thoughts relative to the prob
lens that rresstibly urgent for utterancc If
they SHALL perchance prove utterly worthless, their
prayerful consideration can hardly prove harmful
to any great degree.
To efcacousy Undue the hearts Of the cnor-