The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-05-22
THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTIAN
DEMOCRACY UNTIL AMERICAN
CATHOLICS HAVE LEARNED
THEIR CIVIC LESSONS.
How Labor Looks After lts Own

How Labor Looks After Its Own
Interests.
By Peter e. Dietz.
There is a philosophy of Christian
government even for democracies.
Some Christian citizens are ignorant
of it; nevertheless, it exists. Christian
ideals of civic life embrace every prob
lem of citizenship; they are not indif-
ferent to anything that makes for the
veal or woe of the commonwealth.
This means Christian politics, we
presume. But it does not necessarily
mean partisan politics. Every dutiful
citizen goes into politics every time he
casts his vote. If he negligently fails
to vote, he is not good citizen. Be-
sides voting, the average citizen says
and does things, that may have much
political significance.
Political Conscience a Paramount
Issue.
Education, environment, experience,
business interests, ideals, are influ-
ences that mould public opinion and
ultimately resolve themselves into leg
islation and law. The question of DO
litical party is secondary to the issue
of political conscience. The political
conscience is Informed and impelled
by the real needs of the community
or nation. It may run parallel with i'm
pulse, interests and party, but if truth
and honesty require it, it will run con-
trary to them.
The best may honestly differ in
many details of policy, and there is
nothing in Christian doctrine, that
would compel Christians to agree in
all things. The Church, like God, re-
spects individuality and conscience,
even at cross-purposes. Nothing that
she will say or do can ever be con-
strued as taking away fundamental
freedom, for which she has been the
greatest vindicating force in the his
tory Of the world.
Where vital interests of the Church,
state or humanity are at stake, we'll
informed citizens, who respect Chris
tianity, will stand together compactly.
Even in lesser questions a like ten
dency is to be expected, since expert
ence teaches how ignorant divisions
of political influence have prevented
much good and sometimes abetted
great harm.
Party Programs and Christian
Morality.
In the present accepted order of
things, with legitimate parties in the
field and responsive legislatures,
Christians, especially influential men,
bers of the parties, are in conscience
bound to use their political influence
to modify the party programs and to
conform them as much as possible un.
der given circumstances. to the civic
morality Of the Christian standard.
This is legitimate influence and
Christians owe 1t to their country,
whatever mono Christians or anti Chris.
tians may object. Every Christian
man, movement and organization must
live and act according to conscience,
and to fall short is civic infidelity.
The civic morality is more compre.
hensive than sex and liquor morality,
and like it. all social, political and eco
nomic morality come within the scope
of Christian authority.
Offensive and Defensive Tactics.
Corporate civic morality has been
much neglected in America. We will
not discuss the mitigating circum-
stances that take much Of the blame.
On the offensive, Christians, as Chris
tians, have figured most inconspicu-
ously, though isolated instances have
redeemed and INDICATED the thought.
Senator Randsell, of Louisiana, a
year ago, advocated in the United
States Senate, the abolition of absolute
divorce. Edward Schneiderhahn, of
st. Louis, repeatedly introduced SINH.
lar legislation in Missouri. Both OF
these gentlemen were actuated by a
true political conscience, though they
both knew that the legislation they
sought was foredoomed to defeat in
this day and generation. They both
knew they were inviting political op.
position and possible loss of constit.
uents. But the considerations of ex.
pediency did not chloroform their
Christian principles and incidentally
the discussion in the legislature and
the press proved much-needed in
struction on Christian marriage. Other
such examples on varied matters could
be cited. but these will serve the pur
pose Of illustration.
Offensive methods must eventually
formulate Christian policies on all
moral questions of public concern. II
is objected that to do so. would in
vite sectarian luminosity and political
suicide. Not at all. Christian char.
ity tempers Christian justice. How.
ever incorporating in principle
Christianity il gentle in character and
1t has never hurt the true interests