The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-03-19
THE MENACE OF SOCIALISM

! THE MENACE OF SOCIALISM. 4
That socialism is fast becoming a !.
serious rival of the Catholic church
is the admission that has practically
been made by the Vatican itself. The
rapid spread OF socialism during the
last few years has forced the church
TO consider methods for preventing
socialism from encroaching On its own
field OF influence.
The situation has really become SO
serious that it has found its way into
the Catholic papers of Italy, and
l.sRome," semi-official paper of the
Vatican, recently went into the subject
thoroughly. Because of Its high
standing with the Vatican the senti-
ments expressed by Rome" may be
regarded as the actual sentiment at
the present time OF the pope and the
church in general on the subject OF
socialism. The review OF the situa-
ton by Rome" is in part as follows:
Socialism is increasing steadily ali
over the world; in Germany and
. France it has almost gained control
Of the state; in Italy, under the new
, franchise, it will become the strong
, est homogeneous party in the country.
IN Austria and Hungary it is spread
Jig rapidly. in the United States and
England the masses OF the workins
sasses are approaching more and
/. more closely TO it; in Belgium 1t IS
N lpidly absorbing liberalism There
II is no country, not even excepting
= Turkey. which has not been affected
: by it. Nor can we gauge its strength
I from its forces in the various iegis
Is f,tures-many socialists are indiffer
1t It about parliaments. many hundreds
II al thousands of them scattered here
In aad there in all countries have beer
at raable to obtain legislative TepTesen
n istion.
- According TO several of its mos
authoritative Spokesman, socialism j
fundamentally opposed TO Christianity
re lat since the birth OF Christianity II
'i- self no movement has grown so steadli.
has spread SO widely. has taken $
y en- a hold on the people, has show
es $ ,ch marked characteristics OF PEI
nd anence.
ur IN different countries its follower
AT nav differ in details-they may D
III. ,aore or less revolutionary. they ma
IN lopt different methods of propagand;
ilev NAV be more or less disposed I
rm a temporary alliance with othe
ne .rties in the state. they may be NOR
Ia less disturbed by factional strife
l,ut the great outstanding fact
nat socialism, although il possesse
j., central authority and no unlveT
,r-;ly recognized international leader
Is q united movement, thoroughly |
national, independent OF CONDITION
a race. climate. language or social
~ 1elopment.
zen Nor is it confined TO the prol
AT sariat as many suppose-it is mahlr
ND eonquests in all grades of society v
have TO come to this: In the model
EST world TODAY there are two and on
1t. syo forces that are homogeneous al
sue International and these are the Cal
my { 'ic church and socialism.
It such is the situation. That We
do I coming more and more awake 10
1se- !; evident from the extraordinary
res ,ntion which Is being devoted TO {
en- topic of socialism by opponents
not Catholic thought
lost THE theology Of socialism is hoI
ORD 5.ssly wrong 1t is easy enough
re- rrove that. But it may be found %
Mt per cent OF socialists are social:
ect, lot because but in spite OF the theo
the eZy. It's philosophy is absurd
5 ght-but the people do not vote
the on account of its philosophy
If stroys the natural and supernatu
conceptions OF family life. Very 90
but the crude fact is that socialis
,ple in flesh and blood, taking them
late lie mass, have about as much Ga
W.. ms as littlel respect for the maria
o aa i,and and for the ties OF family
% most people outside the Cathe
i Se eaurch who are not socialists
There can he no question Il
~ -est numbers OF socialists are a
Ia 9rtstian-but is also we'll 10 rems
l- that some socialis. leaders
-. CAIN that the question or reiig
es n6 enter essentially into soc
N. and il Is highly doubtful Il
mat RE proportion OF socialists In G
al 5,any or in English-speaking countr
Al ave been drawn into the movem
. to / its anti-religious PRINCIPLES
awhar is drawing them Putting
il broadly IL seems TO SIS that the nj
= ,des are being Influenced chiefly
30 sentiments; one of discont
~ it'll the present ecoaomnlic stTuet
MAJ Il society the other Of desire
Z o. practical recognition OF the brotl
Mr. hood OF man and for the abolition