The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-02-11
THE TACTICS OF SOCIALISM
Summary of an Address by David Cold
stein of Boston, Before the FEEDER
alton of German Catholic
Societies, st. Paul.


alton of German Catholic
Societies, ST. Paul.
One of the most important lectures
in the course of Social Science given
under the auspices of the Federation
of German Catholic Societies of st.
Paul was delivered by Mr.. David Gold
stein of Boston in the Assumption
parish hall on February 2. 1t was
severe indictment of socialism and its
tactics as expounded and practiced by
the recognized leaders of the move
ment. Mr.. Goldstein was formerly
leader among the Socialists of Mas
sachusetts; but, failing in his efforts
to have them eliminate from the plat
form of the party it's anti-religious
principles and it's advocacy of violence
and free love, he withdrew from their
ranks and became an opponent of their
doctrines. In 1905 he joined the Cath
olic Church; and since then he has.
devoted himself to the task of placing
the doctrines of Socialism before the
public in their true light. He admits
that the rank and file of Socialists see
only the good side of the movement;
that they do not seem to concern
themselves with it's philosophy; and
have very vague idea of what the
founders and recognized leaders of
the propaganda teach in their books
and official pronouncement. We sub
join summary of that part of his
lecture which dealt with the
Attitude of Socialists Toward Catholics.
1t is quite certain that no question
confronting the American people is of
graver import than that of Socialism.
President Taft said recently that we
need higher quality of craftsmanship
than ever before to deal with the is
sue; while so long ago as 1878 from
his watch tower aloft the Vicar of
Christ, seeing the approaching storm,
sent out the warning against Social
Democracy.
There are no shrewder tacticians in
the country than Socialists. They
know how to make the most of the
poverty, the discomfort and the ignor-
ance of the masses. The lack of
charity and the immortality Of today
they denounce as though they held
Christian views of life; all the while
insisting that the notion of free-will is
out of date and that society is wholly
responsible for individual shortcom-
ings, that poverty is caused by rob-
berry, and ignorance fostered by the
Church; while discomfort with every
thing and everybody is their long
suit, and there is no hope this side of
Socialism triumphant What beyond
we'll, there is merely more beyond, if
there is anything, which is more than
doubtful, for all the gods of all the
world have BEEN made by the reflex
action of economic environment.
These tacticians know how to trim
their sails to catch every wind that
blows; how to hammer on the weak
spots of mans faith and break him
down; how to ring the changes on a
half truth until the other half is for.
gotten.
Lukewarm Catholics are splendid
prey. They have blood, fire, eloquence
and Christian imagery is powerful
weapon even when turned the wrong
way.
To sight a case in point. Though
history must be perverted, and their
own atheist principles ignored, So.
cialist tacticians pull many Catholic
away from his religious moorings by
making it appear that he shall follow
the example of Daniel O'Connell. They
ding away at these words which per
vert his meaning: Il take my religion
from Rome, but not my politics"
Those who know the ms and outs
of the emancipation bill, which was uI
for discussion early in the nineteenth
century, are well aware that it was not
the politics of the Roman Catholic
Church, but the political policies of q
few English churchmen that was
aimed at by the great O'Connell in his
impassioned speech from which the
Socialist shibboleth is misquoted
No man can take his politics from
Rome, for the simple reason that the
Catholic Church is not political par
ty. The Catholic Church is equally al
home under any form of government
and her children are equally at liberty
to belong to any political party that is
not in conflict with Christian morality
With Socialists it is not question
of keeping faith with history, but one
of making converts. Il take my re
ligion from Rome, but not my politics
is an effective taunt to half-hearte(
Catholics. It implies that the work
man who will not become Socialis
is slave to Rome, while it points
out, falsely, that so great an Irishmal
as O'Connell would not take his poll
tics from Rome, the inference bein.
that he loved freedom too well. 81
is the pride of rebellion pricket
against the Catholic Church; while
soothes the fears of the ignorant tina
Socialism is against religion. For, on,
argues, if O'Connell could refuse t,
take his politics" from Rome and b.
loyal Catholic, shall take my re
ligion from Rome and belong to tn
Socialist party. So it is that weak
kneod in their faith some Catholi