The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-04-27
Church and State

One of the most interesting and
pleasing characteristics of reaction
airy organizations is that in times of
crisis they deceive themselves as to
their strength in society. grow pre-
sumDtous and arrogant, and end by
cutting their throats.
This interesting process is now be-
ing gone through, before the eyes
of all who can see, by the Roman
Catholic Church in America. 1t has
presumed to Interfere, in an unusu
ally frank manner, with Milwaukee
politics, and seems to have won out.
1t is meddling with politics in other
workinS-class centers. and is organ
iZing an active and nationwide cam
paign against Socialism. That is.
the church says it is against Social
ism, but in reality it is fighting it's
historic enemy, the working class.
In lighting Socialism it fights the
workers. who are growing danger
ouSly thoughtful and class conscious.
But, with the arrogance of its in
vinciblc presumtuous. and is en-
deavoring to establish those relations
between itself and tho state that re-
tardcd the civic development of
France for many years. and that
have made Of Spain a land of ruin
ed prospects. .peoDled by, a race much
in ignorance and superstition, ruled
by the iron heel of merciless and
bloody despostism. 1t would. in a
word. return to the hierarchical dom
| nation of the dark ages of Europe.
All these tendencies are manifest
ed by it's cunning demands that New
York City relieve it of its $4,000
| orphans, and relieve it from an eX
,;,,., ;,,fn IN
| stitutions, and its books of accounts
SO far as they cover its expenditure
of the citys money.
First as to the orphans. The
church does not wish for single mo-
ment that the city should take the
! children. That would make a deep
cut into it's "charitablc" activities.
and with its charity gone, what
| would be left of the church? No
| rs The call has pointed QUIT is !,
move to force money from the city.
The cruclcst possible blow would be
| for the city to accct;c to its dc,uaud il:
this regard
Cruel as it Is, we demand that the
city forthwith accepts tho offer of the
church. and take charge of its own url
| fortunate children The state is re
sponsible for the conditions that have
made these children the recipients Of
lpriastly charity. and we demand that
the state recognize its responsibility
and at the same time relieve 15.OOG
children from suffering undH: thc
stigma OF charity.
AS to its institutions. TIC churci
mas never vet in any country cared &c
nave its inner workings exposed &c the
clear light OF day. 1t has always pre-
fcrrcd the devious route and the kind
ly shadow Of nicht-a preference no.
to be wondered at when one is fam
liar with its works and its me til DDS
Its reluctanc. to have it's account:
audited is also in accordance with it:
history and policy. 1t may be that it.
accounts are in this instance reluc
lance displayed by another institutio,
one would with every reason suspec
III transportation or Interpretation.
} We would be loath to believe tina
an organization. that "scrv. COD ha
anything TO conceal. But we shall
l. read with interest the report Of Con
troller Frcudcrgast. and shall we!com
its publication rs being an irdicatic,
that the church is still under ci,i
jurisdiction. and is not yet indepe.
dent Of the laws of the land
But let us repeat our demand tina
), society forthwith takes charge of it
loont orphaned children.
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