The Irish standard., 1914-12-12
SERMON TO LABOR IN THE
CATHEDRAL.
Catholic Delegates to A. r. Of L. Con
vention Hear Mastery Discourse
by the Rev. Charles p.
6ruehI, Phi. D.
(COntinued.)

(Continued.)
Here lies the fatal mistake of So
cfalism. 1t leagues itself with the
anti-social instincts of the individual
and yet would need the strongest
social impulse to construct anything
like Socialistic society. It 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 disrup.
ton? 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
unfair competition and forestall bust.
ness depression. We do not wish to
minimize the difficulty of arriving at
an adjustment in some cases. But a.
hopeless opposition and contrast there
is not. Stable contracts and peaceful
agreements will bring security to both
parties. An antagonism we have be.
tween the two where they overstate
their interests or Great fictitious in
terests.
And so the unions are not primarily
means of class warfare, not engines of
war, not covetous machines, but USE
full wheels in the great social organ.
ism. They are help for both capital
and labor, since they make for in
dustrial 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 shop
revolutions, so harassing to the small
er capitalist, which arise from the i'm
pulsiveness of the small organizations
Social organizations require social
characters. Organization requires
sacrifices and subordination of inter.
ests; these qualities can only be &C.
quired by social training; they be.
come atrophied in an atmosphere and
environment of class egotism and be.
come stunted by the untiring preach.
ing of class hatred.
This embracing social spirit you
Catholic members should enfuse into
the unions; give them that larger out
look, that broader perspective with
which You are habitually familiar, for
In the truly Catholic mind the lines of
cleavage never wear very deep; they
are effaced by his realization of the
brotherhood of men. This idea over
rides contracts, it equalizes interests,
it softens antagonisms. Give to the
unions this deeper moral energy
which invites and unif1es, which
breeds loyalty never faltering.
The weapon of class hatred is a
two-edged sword; it turns itself
against the union that uses and enters
into it as powerful wedge. The
sharpening of any antagonisms leads
also to conflict between unions and
their leaders, between the different
branches of the union and finally be-
tween the individuals themselves. It
Is as a progressive gangrene. The
Church warns against it.
Remember also what an access of
power such frankly social attitude
will bring the unions. What all
classes now fear is that when the
labor class has risen into power there
will be an unprecedented exploitation
of all classes in the selfish interests
of labor. The language of some labor
leaders warrants such apprehension.
Show them that it is not so. Make
them understand by your present poll.
cies and tactics that extortation is far
from your minds, that the interests of
all will be safe when you possess
power. Make it the cause of universal
justice and all will be with you. But