The Irish standard., 1905-07-29

In discussing the principles upon
which Socialism rests and on which
the demand of the Socialist are based
we must distinguish between the phil
osophical and religious principles, or
rather assumptions, and their econom,
ic principles, says Rev. Father Gug-
genheimer, the well known Jesuit
writer.
The first philosophical assumption of
Socialism is the equality of man. Do
they openly avow this principle? Ger,
tainly. not. The physical equality of
man is too absurd tenet to be pro-
claimed to the world. Even an ardent
Socialist would be too shy of universal
,ridicule to assert that newborn babe
is equal to the full-sized man, a slen-
der youth equal to the trained prize
fighter, a girl in her teens equal to an
eighty-five-year-old matron. What
they insist upon is the equal rights of
all. But equal rights of all is not
a first principle. 1t canont hang in
the air. 1t must be supported by
some more fundamental principle.
This can only be human nature. Only,
if all men are really equal, can we
speak of equal rights and consequent
ly equal duties of all. Therefore, the
demand of equal rights for all nee
.essarily though tacitly presupposes
the absolute equality of man. The
equality of man consists only in the
abstrac.., as far as his nature and his
uestiny arc concerned. Every human
being has soul and a body, mental
faculties and bodily powers. All have
the same Creator, the same end and
aim, the same moral law; all are men,
bers of the same great family. Hence
all have some essential rights based
on human nature. Every individual
has, always and everywhere, the right
of being treated as human being, the
right to his life and the necessary con-
,ditions of existence, etc. But does this
limited equality in the abstract prove
that all men must enjoy the same
conditions of existence? Certainly not.
For as soon as we come down to
concrete circumstances, which must
necessarily accompany actual exist
ence, the greatest variety begins, from
which necessarily arises diversity of
rights and duties. For there is:
1. The great diversity of age
Some are helpless infants, others boys
and youths, others in the strength of
manhood, others in decrepit old age
tottering to their graves. Are they to
enjoy the same rights, to perform the
same duties?
2. The essential and far-reaching
variety of sexes. Equal rights and
duties, indeed! Must then men in
turn with their wives rock the cradle,
cook, knit and darn, and attend to all
wOmanly household duties? Or must
women in turn with their men enjoy
the rights and perform the duties of
coachmen, draymen, sailors, builders,
ETC.? Must they grid on the sword,
carry the knapsack and rifle and
march to the field of battle? Why did
Nature and Natures God bestow on
woman so totally different organiza-
tion, talents, inclination and charac-
ter? But" says the Socialist Bebel,
1.-The difference of endowments and in
clination in the two sexes is only the
result of education, of the slavery in
which women were brought up hereto
fore. Change the education and social
standing of women, and the difference
will disappear" But, we ask in turn,
can education and social standing
change difference which confronts
us among nations, even of the most
diverse customs? Can education, etc.,
change the physical organization of
woman? Can it dispense her from
the duties and cares which are insep-
arably connected with motherhood?
3. We have the necessary, Unborn,
natural differences of inclinations,
talents. character, health, physical
strength, moral stamina, differences
In regard to prudence, temperance,