The Irish standard., 1905-06-10

Inequality is u law Ol udluie dsseAI =
ing itself in the ultimate elements of
matter as in the mind Of man, writes
Bishop Spalding, one of the clearest
and deepest thinkers of the day. II
in the universe all were the same, all
would be nothing, to human thought
at least. Sameness implies difference,
difference sameness. The social Or
ganism would not be true to the un-
ending variety of existence, if it failed
to include inequality of possession.
The idividuals right to property is
fundamental and so therefore is his
right to increase his wealth by hon
est means Where there is no
wealthy class there can be but a rudl-
mentary industrial organization. II
there is to be progress in society, IT
art is to flourish, if literature is to
continue to express the ever-varying
meaning and power of life, there
must be those who have leisure to
cultivate the nobler faculties while
others labor for them. Without capi-
tai and inequality of income there
can be nothing higher than clans or
village communities. Could a general
level of possessions be brought about
many of the most serviceable virtues
could neither be acquired nor prac-
ticed. There could be no rich to be
generous and powerful to help; no
poor to be patient, wise and frugal;
and the motives which spur the finest
youths to abstain and endure would
cease to have influence. The poor,
indeed, make the rich possible and
wealth therefore implies responsible
ity and imposes duties-duties to the
laborers, without whose toll it could
not be had; duties to society, without
whose protection it could not be Sc
cured. Property rights are sacred,
but not absolute-they do not imply
that man may do what he likes
with his possessions. He may not do
what he likes with himself, but only
what is becoming and worthy. A de-
cent physical existence for those who
labor for employers should be consid-
cred a first charge on the business;
and the wages should be sufficient to
make it possible that they found a
family. under conditions compatible
with right human life, and favorable
therefore to mental, moral and re-
ligious Improvement The wage
doesn't constitute the sole relation
ship between master and workman,
for in all human associations rights
and duties are involved of which
money can never be the equivalent.
We may not exclude religion from
ethics, nor ethics from economics.
Justice itself is not enough. Honesty
is indispensable, but sympathy and
loving kindness and serviceableness
are of a higher worth and potency.
The lack of these make possible all
the wrongs and perfidies which are
the cause of misery to millions, and
are the opprobrium of the civilized
world. Until the spirit of which Chris.
tendon is born shall prevail, not only
in the home and the church, but in
civil affairs, in politics, industry and
commerce, it can never be we'll with
mankind; and our doubts and mis-.
givings concerning the future arise
from the fact that there is little faith
in this truth, and less desire to make
1t the controlling principle of social
as of individual life. In the capital
and labor struggle and strife, the
cause of so much disturbance, dis.
order and suffering, there is small
hope of permanent improvement, so
long as genuine good will and a con-
ciliatory disposition are lacking. Fair.
ness, forbearance and kindness are
the prerequisites of peace and har.
monious cooperation in economic as
in other human relations. The inter.
ests of employers and laborers are
inter-dependent, and their attitude
toward one another should be that of
friends. II warfare is to be persisted