Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
CARDINAL GIBBONS HAS
 NO FEAR OF SOCIAL ISM

Baltimore, Md, Dec. 24-Cardinal Gibbons in a statement today said that he had no fear that socialism would become an issue to be dreaded in the period of reconstruction and that the good sense of the American working people would check any social up heavaL He said:
 ''We ought to rejoice particularly on this Christmas occasion, because it is the first Christmas festival in five years that we have had the happiness Of celebrating in the midst of univer- sal peace. either actually attained" or dawning upon us.
 T earnestly hope that this peace has come to stay that we will know no more war. and that in our day and for all future generations disputed be- tween peoples will be settled, not by the sword but by the voice aai pen of conciliation, which are mightier than the sword.
 T feel no anxiety with regard tc the future of our own country. I feel that we will go on. that we will, make progress toward a far better under Standing among all our people; that our accomplishments in the war will be as light to guide us to the ac- complishment of better and finer | things of peace. that our people as, a
 
 l last couple of years, will be of i broader view in the future and of a | higher courage. that the soul of the nation will be more alive and more responsive to the higher appeal. Much concern seems to be felt about the la bor situation throughout the country and there are fears as to stke outcome l of the readjustment period. I feel little troubled about that. I am sure | the working people of the country are | men of intelligence and common sense they know full well that their condi- 1 ton here is better than men in sin6f- | lar stations anywhere else in the world aud that the disposition of those | who employ them is to treat them 1 justly and generously. They know l these things, and they know, too, that any social upheaval would hear more heavily upon them than npon any 1 other class and %ouldehurt them more than it would hurt any other class. 1 As for the spread of socialism in America, which some dread, I feel no | is no reason for apprenension. No man or set of men can raise a storm in. this country without some real grievance that would warrant the 1 overturning of the social structure and the ruin. industrial and of every sort that would ensue. And the work ing people of the country know this as well and I have no fear thai they ] will be led astray by the spacious doc 1 trines of socialism to their own undo ing.
 "Feara as to the labor situation: 1 fears about the spread Of socialism and kindred doctrines do rot trouble me. The only apprehension ] might have would Be with regard to the con 5olidation of control of the great pub lie interests of the country in the au- Shorities of the government itself These interests are vast and wide reaching and control the well beilfg of millions of men, such interests as the railroads and the telegraphs as well as others. I should be sorry to see these things put under the direc- tion of any federal administration The men employed in these industries and utilities would form the prepon- derating interest in any administration and would tend to 2 perpetuation ot l power. believe in a division o1 power and think it best for the coun- try. I should be sorry to see any in- vasion by the administrative depart ment of the government upon the rights of the othot departments"