The Catholic bulletin., 1914-06-13
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Brief Reviews and Notices

Socialism, Promise or Menace? BY
Morris Hillquit and John A. Ryan
D. D. Published by the Macmillan
Company, sc Fifth Ave-, New York
Price, $1.25 net.
This volume puts into permanent
form the joint debate on the merits
of Socialism carried on in Every
body's Magazine" during the winter
months between the Reverend John
A. Ryan, D. D., Professor of Moral
Theology and Economics, ST. Paul
Seminary, ST. Paul, and Morris Hill
quit, a distinguished practising law
yer of New York City, each of whom
is recognized as an authoritative ex-
ponent Of the views he enunciates.
The announcement of the debate
caused widespread interest among all
classes. The prominence Of the op-
ponents and their reputation as lead
ers of progressive thought in indus
trial, economic, and social fields, gave
assurance that the various phases OF
Socialism would be thoroughly thresh-
ed out in such q way as to give the
reading public a more complete grasp
Of the question at issue. The public
were led to expect thoroughly scien-
titic discussion of the pros and cons
of Socialism, and they were not dis
appointed. From the beginning the
debate was keen and interesting. DR..
Ryan presented the philosophical ar
guments against Socialism and showed
wherein the Socialistic movement is
opposed to the Catholic Church. MIR.
Hillquit presented Socialism from the
standpoint of well-versed exponent
of the cause who knows how to mar
shall his arguments in the most effec-
tive manner.
The debate formally and deliberately
covered all the important phases of
the subject. Socialism was treated
not merely as a scheme of politico-
economic reconstruction, but as a liv-
ing movement and as a system of fun
damental principles. 1t was shown
that the movement affected many
other departments of life and thought
besides the economic sphere It's
principles were set forth as embrace
ing philosophy of history, of society,
of life, of the universe. This compre-
hensive discussion gave the intelligent
reader a good idea of the larger as
poets of Socialism and some explana-
ton of the hold it has on it's followers
Even a ctirsory examination of the
chapters contained in this volume
shows how complete a treatment was
given to Socialism during the course
of the debate. The Introductory chap
of the debate and the points of agree
ment and disagreement between the
distinguished adversaries. Then fol-
lows an interesting discussion Of So
cial Evils and Remedies; The Socialist
Industrial State; The Philosophy Of
Socialism; Socialism and Morality,
and Socialism and Religion. In the
final chapter the debaters make a
resume of the whole question.
Anyone who knew anything about
the subject of the debate did not ex-
pect that those engaged in it would
find common ground whereon the
essential teachings Of Socialism and
the fundamental doctrines of the Cath
olic Church would be brought into
accord with each other. Mr. Hillquit
states this very clearly when he says
that there is little likelihood of a
hearty understanding and active co
operation between the Socialist move
ment and the Catholic Church so long
as both remain as they are" To this
DR.. Ryan answers: How could any
man who knows and thinks expect
anything else? On the one hand, the
Socialists will not reject those phil
osophical, ethical, and religious doc
trines which make their system vastly
more than an economic theory and
| programme. On the other hand, the
Catholic Church realizes quite clearly
the presence, the extent and the per
nicious character of these non-econo-