The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-11-28

point out that there is a larger end
in which all classes cooperate, and
that, therefore, there is much which
all have in common. Society is on the
point of becoming atomized and dis,
rupted. More stress must be placed
on the centripetal than on the cen
trifugal forces.
The basis of society is the individual
and no permanent social life can be
maintained unless there be aroused in
the individual the ultra-individual
binding forces which bind individual
to individual and class to class. In
this light the labor movement is to be
conceived; to this test it's tactics must
conform, otherwise it will breed men
of anti-social instincts and of the
crassest egotism. This is necessary
in the Interests of self-preservation
for if the individual is taught to put
his class interests above the interests
of other classes and the common
wealth it will draw the only consist
ent, practical conclusion and put his
own private individual interests above
those of other individuals ard of his
class. Have not the unions more than
once observed this irresistible logic OF
facts? The union cannot live without
social instincts and the spirit of sacri-
fee, but if it kills them in the heart
of it's members by a persistent appeal
to the class egotism, it digs its own
grave. Men that are not loyal to their
national society will not prove loyal
to their unions. To preach class ego
tism is bad policy for movement
which itself is based on altruistic dis
positions.
The Fatal Mistake of Socialism.
Here lies the fatal mistake of So
cialism. 1t leagues itself with the
anti-social instincts of the individual
and yet would need the strongest So
cial impulses to construct anything
like Socialist society. 1t destroys
not only the foundation of society, but
it actually pulverizes it. The unions
must not fall into this grave error or
they will paralyze the social instincts
of their members and lose the cement
that holds them together. Have we
not now within the union frequently
an assertion of local interests against
national interests which not rarely
brings it to point of disruption?
Why? Because men have not learned
to coordinate and subordinate their
selfish interests, and see these alone
and will insist on them at the cost of
the larger good.
We all have a mutual interest in the
preservation of the social structure;
all classes have something in common
and all work in their own way. True,
they also have separate interests, but
these are not radically antagonistic,
but may be adjusted. No class should
exploit the other. Neither should the
labor class attempt to exploit the
others.
Especially is there no fundamental
antagonism between labor and capt.
tai. They suffer together, they pros
per together. The present system of
wild competition is detrimental to
both. Well and strongly organized
labor will rebound to the advantage
of our large scale industry. Labor and
capital may form alliances against un-
fair competition and forestall bust
ness depression. We do not wish to
minimize the difficulty of arriving at
an adjustment in some cases. But yet
a hopeless opposition and contrast
there is not. Stable contracts and
peaceful agreements will bring secur.
ity to both parties. An antagonism
we have between the two where they
overstate their interests or create fic'
titious interests.
And so the unions are not primarily
means of class warfare, not engines
of war, not covetous machines, but
useful wheels in the great social or
ganism. They are help for both
capital and labor, since they make fol
industrial order and peace. Great or
CARNATIONS feel their responsibility
they can adapt themselves to the need
of the hour; they guarantee their
agreements; they are protection
against local strikes and petty shoI
revolutions, so harassing to the
smaller capitalist, which arise from
the impulsiveness of small organiza
tons.
Social organizations require socia
characters. Organization requires sac
rifices and subordination of interests
these qualities can only be acquired
by social training; they become afro
phied in an atmosphere and environ
ment of class egotism and become
stunted by the untiring preaching O.
class hatred.
This embracing social spirit 70,
Catholic members should infuse int
the unions; give them that larger out
look, that broader perspective Will
which you are habitually familiar, fo
in the truly Catholic mind the line,
of cleavage never wear very deep
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