The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-04-15
MAMM0N'S PRESENTATIONS.

"Sin of Covetousness' is the theme of an ALL,
editorial in last weeks issue of Church Progre T.
would seem, however, that it is bootless to irye-
against the sim unless the temptation may be- yerv
materially Iessened So long as the acquisition of
wealth is popularity regarded as the true measure
of greatness, wealth will be the idol of the people
The power of money it would verify seem is t1s
greatest power in our land and day. 1t is the ma.
ture of man to sacrifice the lesser for The greater
the less desirable for the more desirable
The problem that confronts society TODAY +,
how to minimize the power of the dollar. To- et
ficaciously instil into the popular mind the rda,
that the man who dies rich, dies disgraced" would
be long step in the solution of the problem.
Is this impossible. Have the minds of men become
so thoroughly bcsotted with materiaIism that trar
cannot be imbued with higher ideals [, if NOT
absolutely true that the man who sacrifice. m
principle in the amassing of stupeudous and AN
unwicIdy fortune has disgraced himseIf-baz do
bauched his manhood! If it Is impossible TO lr~rH
this sentiment into the hearts and minds of -aar-
kind, it is useless to plead with them to alrr..
their aspirations and efforts into higher channels.
Just the acquisition Of wealth is the dominant
passion Of men of abiity-of the men who DOM
mate society-and their sway is mimpeaaHa5Iy
despotic
Is it not obvious, therefore, that it is The ,uf,
of moral teachers and leaders to direct their efforts
and influence against those Of the entrcnched pluto
cratic rulers of society! If this latter influence
is essentially and inexorably pernicous- subyer,iye
of all Christian principle and salutary moraI--i7
it not sacred duty to accomplish its destruction,
If this influence is inherently un-Christian and
immoral, does it not stand self-condemned. and
does it not become holy task to aim to direct the
forces of society against its further aggrandize-
ment! To insist that every law available shall be
invoked to achieve its destruction, and if our
present civil and criminal code is inadequate for
the purpose, to irresistably demand the enactment
of laws that shall be adequate!
Conservatism is a laudable virtue, but it NAV
govern to degree to render it as subversive of all
true morality as is the most radical of radical
ism. If our present industrial system renders it
impossible for the great mass of American toiIers
and producers to dominate our political institu-
tons, then must they be changed-radcallv
changed, if necessary to Dust the plutoerats who
now so ruthlessly control
God grant that leaders animated by Christian
principles direct the forces that shall accomplish
the overthrow Of this Ubiquitous reign. Otherwise
shall we be- in the not remote future at the mercy
Of Goddess demagogues who. in their wantoness
would enguf religion and society in their wrath
by the monstrous plutocratc greed that
is so ruthlessly dominating society and expressing
the masses.
Rapidly is the struggle for mere existence be
coming SO intense as to crush out of the hearts of
the combatants all thought of higher ideals If
We may afford these merited ameioration then will
hey, happily, hearken to pleas to conform their
ives to saving Christian principles. God hasten
hat day!