The Irish standard., 1906-01-13
4 IS A DREAM
Socialism a Menace to Union
Ism, Says Bishop Spalding.
Abundance and Idlensss Net
the Chief Goods.

Mitchell was on the witness stand,
asked him whether he thought that Il
the miners union should lose the ap-
prevail Of public opinion it would con-
tinue to hold together. His reply was
that he believed it would disintegrste
writes Bishop Spalding of Peoria
Public opinion in the United States is
preponderantly favorable to organized
labor. Our history as a people, ou,
political constitution, our civil society
the general conditions Of our public
life, as well as our Christian faith in
cline us to good .gill toward one an
other, and create within us a special
heaviest burdens; and since we know
that the organization Of labor has
been of help to the workingman, whose
lot is the hardest, by raising his wages
and by promoting legislation whish
does away with the worst evils Incl
dent to industrial occupations, Ameri :
cans for the most part look with. kind
ly interest on trades unions, thus
creating a public opinion which en-
courages and supports them in their
legitimate aspirations and struggles.
They who by their words and deeds
weaken and undermine this favorable
public opinion, are foes of labor. If
we look at things as they are we see
that capital and labor are allies. Each
needs the other. What hurts the one
must sooner OF later injure the other.
This is plainly SO to whoever is not
blinded by Socialistic theories. Now,
Socialism in our day and country is
simply impossible. 1t is Dream
Abundance and idleness are not the
chief goods. They can be ideals only
of the unthinking and the indolent
The energetic, the alert, the self-ac-
tive, they who control and guide, can
not be fascinated by the promises o.
a lubber land; and no Ctopian VISION
will ever induce them to sacrifice free
dom, and opportunity, and domestic
happiness, and religion-the things the
race has most heroically and persist
emily battled for, for thousands OF
FEARS that they may become one OF
nerd with copious food, and whatever
else may minister to physical COM
fort. Socialism is as Impossible as
anarchism. and the introduction OF
socialistic theories into labor unions
will thwart the purposes for which
they have been founded, for 1t VIII
divert the thoughts and efforts Oh
workinpmen from reforms which may
be brought about to visionary pro-
.ects which cannot be realized. II
will SOW the seed Of discomfort ana
dissension in the unions and hnallS
disrupt them. 1t will foster dlstrust
and hatred of employers; 1t VIII ofeeo
q sn,rit of recklessness, which Will
nrompt laborers to strike for Slight
and frivolous causes; to strike With
ont any reasonable hope of gaining
the points for which they contend mus
leading them to engage in struggles
whose only issue can be misery anu
,,,re+chedness for themselves and their
families. Socialists are the Toes VI
orpanized labor, because they righty
consider the trades unions as obstacles
to their revolutionary schemes. Whei'
thew hecome members Of a union they
do so not to strengthen 1t, but TO
make use Of it, to further their WHO
projects. They exaggerate the evils
from which laboring men suffer- ana
turn from the very real progress
which has been made in their condi-
+,on. They create q bitter temper, and
arouse angry and anti-social passions
where nothing but sane views ana
habits of sobriety in thought and deed
can be Of help.
Were it possible for Socialism to
Kali COAIIOA VI OuI AG1OOA uA4OASB SAA9
public opinion of our country would
become antagonistic to them. and they
would consequently grow weak and
tend to disruption. The outcome would
probably be decline in national pros
perity and for this organized labor
would be held responsible. The work.
ingmen are not the country; they are
but a part Of the American people. and
he whole people is greater and might
ier than any Of its parts. The true
interests of the laborers are identical
with those of the government, Of do
mestic and social purity, Of sobriety
and honesty. Corrupt politics hurt
us all, but they infiict greater injury
on the workingmen than on others. in
asmuch as they offer opportunity to
the trusts and other corporations to
influence legislation or to disregard
the provisions Of the law, hence in the
cities and towns where laborers are
massed, what is called the adrhinistra-
tive lie is a recognized means Of mu-
nicipal rule. Laws are enacted which
those who are appointed to see that
they are obeyed have no intention Of
enforcing, but which they make use
OF to organize system Of blackmail.
that they may fatten on the sins and
miseries Of fallen women and on the