The Irish standard., 1904-08-27


ed as the purpose of these movements,
anyone may see that such must be the
result.
STATE MUST INTERVENE;
Collectivism and all it's subsidiary
and derivative schemes make for that
end. They begin by trampling on
property rights, which all men, even
Socialists, will fight for. That is in
fact what they are fighting for now.
Secondly, the movement in all its
phases increases the powers of govern
ments by giving them control over
every element of human life. That
means the increase of human slavery.
The old royal monopolies which could
put men at whatever trade might suit
the government taught that lesson, as
did Italy in modern times when it
turned its employees into soldiers to
shoot down the strikers. Thirdly. So
cialism multiplies opportunities for po-
litical corruption, which, as everyone
knows, is far enough advanced at
present. 1t is idle to plead the econ
omy and more general comfort, which
Collectivism would effect. Like "the
two dogs" it is better to have a shay
gy coat than a sleek one with chain
mark on it. Moreover, Collectivist
municipalities have not proved q Sue
cess.
Nor will Communism in any form be
possible. Religious men may unite in
small bodies and give up their will and
possessions, but not anti-religious
mobs or multitudes. Nor will they
agree with each other, whether they
are subjected to a central authority,
or ruled by labor unions, ore are indie
pendent republics or without rule at
all. The greater states have not done
so; neither will they. Nor will arbitra-
ton avail. 1t has not succeeded now,
while some vestiges of Christian
| ethics linger in international law.
Will it. when international law is
based on the power to seize what is
| wanted?
But apart from the futility or falla-
ciousness of all these theories, the fact
that they propose to destroy all civil
and domestic institutions must neces-
sarily array against them every man
who loves his home, his family, and
his country, or in whom there remains
any sense of duty to God. The ruin
that is meditated dispenses with rea-
soning on the truth Or falsehood of the
doctrine.
Nor out of the resulting chaos can
it be hoped that those who have shown
ability only to destroy will be able to
construct any of their ideal states of
the future. Unless the history Of man.
kind is going suddenly to reverse it.
self, the issue, in the event not mere
ly Of universal anarchy-people will
not wait for that-but even of wide
spread disorder must inevitably be,
that the remorseless tyranny Of some
military ruler will restore tranquility,
if not peace, through oppression and
bloodshed.
To obviate all this there must be a
! prudent, wise and just Intervention on
the part Of the state. For it's own
preservation the state is obliged to re-
press all riot and disorder, and for the
! same reason compel the dissolution of
those associations which are plotting
anarchy, Just as it must encourage
those which make for the spiritual and
temporal betterment of the working
classes. 1t must legislate especially
for the protection of the poor, who are
more helpless than the rich; it must
prohibit anything like starvation
wages and protracted hours Of labor;
| it must insist on compensation not
merely for what is perhaps compulsory
and usuriously agreed to, but for what
is necessary for proper support; it
must compel the erection and mainte-
nance Of decent habitations; it must
guard helpless women and children
| from labor that is excessive or danger
Gus to health and morals; it must pro-
vide proper rest and recreation for the
laborer; it must exact an equal distri-
button Of taxes and not permit and,
above all, not be in collision with GER
tain individuals or classes, or combin-
ations to reap enormous and ever-grow-
ing profits without bearing a proper
tionate share in the public burdens.
These and other regulations for the
guidance of governments are laid
down at length in that most memoir
able and valuable document which the
United States commissioner of statis-
tics, Carol D. Wright, proudly boasts
of carrying about him as wade
mecum, viz, the Encyclical on the
Condition of Labor, by the illustrious
pontiff, Leo XIII. 1t has already at
tracted the attention of the entire
world.
CHURCH WILL CONQUER.
But how are you going to influence
the great money powers which, at the
present time, often control the machin-
cry Of governments, using it most