The Irish standard., 1911-05-27
Extreme Socialism an Impractic,,
able Dream Which Can Never
be Realized.
Aim is to Reconstitute Society 90
an Entirely New and Un-
reasonable Basis.
Involves Well Defined Tendencies
Toward Irreligion and
Materialism.

In Il special article written for the
Providence Visitor Rcv. j. j. Fox. y.
d., Professor of ,l!lhics at the Catholic
University of America, gives care
ful and exhaustive analysis of the
problem OF Socialism of which we hear
so much nowadays. Father Fox takes
the statements of the leading cXpon-
cnts OF Socialism at their face value
and shows what the consequence
into effect. 1t would result in the prac-
teal destruction of the marriage tie,
of religion. of the home and in the
end it would mean nothing less than
the ruin of the state. The conclusion
of Father 'ox's article is particularly
interesting, showing as ii does the
varieties of Socialism and the near ap-
proHch of the more moderate form to
our current reform movements. We
quote Father Foxs views in this re-
gard:
Recently. in this country and else
where, !, number of writer's have pro-
posed IL modified form OF Socialism. or
semi Socialism, which would contine
State ownership to the great sources
of production, manufacture and tistri-.
button. 1t would compensate the own
ers more or less. where appropriation
would be carried out; and would per-
NIT private ownership. as well as priv
ate competition. to exist concurrcntly
with the specialization of the great
sources of wealth and the great utll-
tiles. This modified form differs cs-
scntially from the radical historic So
cihlism. and il is doubtful if the great
mass Of Socialists whose shibholeth is
the extinction of private ownership,
would conccdc that it had any right
to the name of Socialism at all. With
but little change it might he presented
as a scheme of reform of the present
system of private property. In 1t, too.
the powers of the Socialist State are
enormously curtailcd. We may OBJ
serve also that the Socialist party in
America, generally speaking, refrain
from any assertion of hostility to re-
liEion. We shall not question the sin
ccrity Of these remarkable modifca-
cations Of the genuine Socialist pro-
gram and tactics. But it must be OBJ
the movement of those features which
render it repulsve to religious men
would be a very inadequate reason for
Catholics to look with favor on Amer
lean Socialism in the face of the con-
dcmnation issued by the Church Of the
movement in general. In the first place
it is to be remembered that Socialism
claims to be interna tional; therefore
American Socialism cannot, consistent
~ with this elemental principle of the
movement, divcrge very widely, in the
long run. from it's continental proto-
type. Besides, as we have amply set
forth, the Socialist aim is to reconsti-
and the philosophy which permeates
the proposed plan of reconstruction in
wolves tendencies towards materialism
and irreigion. In estimating the char
acter Of the movement the Church pays
more attention, rightly, to tendencies
and principles than to the assertion Of
individuals who undertake to tell us
Just how far Socialism means to pro-
ceed in the work Of revolution. 1t is
all very well for Mr.. Kirkup, or Mr..
Spargo, or the late Edmond Kelly,
moderate Socialists" to assure us that
when the Socialist State of the future
will take possession of private prop
erty it will compensate the owners.
But the Socialist State would not hold
itself bound by the promises of these
gentlemen; and the entire character Of
the movement, not to speak Of the
declarations Of Socialist leaders more
representative than the above-men-
toned gentlemen give to all whom 1t
may concern, fair warning that con-
fiscation would be the rule. It is the
teaching Of experience that all great
political and social movements, if once
started on the road to success, ultt.