The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-26
CsthOIic ThOught And Opinion
B REV. JOSEPH E. DoNNELLY

ment by many American workmen who are properly disgusted by the hypocrisy and deceit of the Corn- munists.
 But such reasons do not seem valid. If the strong but dlsgusted anti-C Communist workmen remain out of the labor movement they leave the field free for the full sway of these enemies of labor and they play directly into the hands of the Communists who can control the indifferent and the lukewarrn who see in the labor movement only the instrument for an added dollar in pay. The labor movement be- longs to the American laboring man and he should get in and fight for 1t as his own. Tn the past he has never been afraid of that fight THE UNIONIST's DUTY
 Sixty years ago when the radical socialists of Bishop von Kettler's time were placing their hopes in labor as the instruments of their power he warned Christian work men that 1t was their right and duty to take an active part in unionism. Tt would be great folly on our part" he said, If we kept aloof from this movement merely because at the present time 1t hap pens to be promoted by men who are. hostile to Christianity.
 'The air we breathe remains Gods air though breathed by an atheist, and the bread we eat IS no less the flourishment provided for us by God though kneaded by an unbeliever. It is the same with unionism--it IS an idea which rests on the divine order of things and 1t is essentially Christian, though those who favor 1t most do not see the finger of God in 1t and often turn 1t to wicked use."
 The pressing obligation of the unionist today is an active interest in the affairs of the organization to which he has given the weight of his membership. Let the ordt- nary American iaboring man con- trol his union and he will keep it honest, American and democratic. Let the racketeer and the Red use 1t for personal purposes and 1t will be watched with suspicion, fear and ill-will. Today as 1t draws in sight of It's long sought victory labor's century long struggle is threatened with public ill-will aroused by these enemies of labor who pose as its friends.
 1.-THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST"
 In the days news we read many strange items.
 Recently a business mems club passed a resolution obliging r1em- hers under the penalty of a fine of 25c to use the word "damn you" whenever they speak of the Japs in conversation. The money is to be given to charityl
 25 cents to use the word damn"
 Finishing & series of spectacular war paintings the American artist Thomas Benton stated that they were painted for the sole purpose of arousing hatred of their enemies in the hearts of the American people.
 Likewise Clifton Fadiman lectur- ing 10 0 group OI uneI1 anu WVnleA who are to deliver war speeches il1- sisted that they must fill their hearts with hatred and get that hatred into their voices when they talk.
 A Christian can hate the brutality and the oppression of the NaSis and the Japs. A Christian can hate in- justice. But Q Christian cannot hate his fellowman. :,
 Hatred has never been recognized as an American virtue, It was hatred that lost the peace after America made so many sacrifices to win the World War. We must beware of that error this time and we may be thankful that President Roosevelt is well aware of 1t when he promises: Tn victory we shall seek not vengeance but the estab- lishment of an international order in which the spirit of Christ shall rule the hearts of men and na- tions."