A FORCE FOR THE PAPACY.
By Editor
EVERY true Christian ought to be the friend of the laboring man, whether that man be a union man, or not. It is not the union that gives him dignity; it is his individual manhood. For this Christianity stands. Against this the forces of evil have ever stood. It is so much easier to manipulate organized forces under human leadership than it is individuals. For that very reason the enemy of souls is doing all in his power to bind into human-controlled bundles the mass of humanity, that in the end he may turn them against the truth of God. Among the great forces thus bound together at the present time are the labor unions. Originally organized for mutual help and improvement, with the best of motives, we have no doubt, they are in many cases seeking to control their members, soul and body. They reprobate every one who will not favor them, and seek by any means to carry their point. As a result of their aggressiveness the last few years record many deaths and a numerous army of cripples. More recently the unions are entering political life, and great parties are bidding for their favor. The greatest struggle for their aid will lie between the Papacy and Socialism. By the teachings of the latter their ranks have been honeycombed, while the Papacy in dulcet tones is pleading their allegiance and offering her sympathy and aid. This latter is well expressed in a letter written to the International Society for the Protection of Workmen, by the Papal Secretary of State, Monsignor Merry del Val. New York State labor unions made it public in November last. We take it from the Examiner of Nov. 17, 1904: My sublime master, the pontiff, desires me to express to you that, like his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII., he is in hearty accord with all movements intended to benefit workmen. The pontiff in particular desires it understood that he favors with all his heart any lightening of the burden of the men and women who work with their hands [all Christians do]. Work should be so regulated as to conform to the physical ability of the workmen; it should be regulated to fit the sexes [to which all reasonable persons agree]; it should be regulated to permit the stoppage of all work on Sundays. The workman should be protected against employment and employers that have no regard for his dignity as a man and a citizen, that endanger his morality and interfere with his family life. The holy father trusts that you will devise peaceful means to realize the above ends. If you do, your efforts will be crowned with success, and all good governments will regard them with sympathy. On his own part, the pope will be happy to assist you with advice and prayer. There are two points in this which clearly show the desire of the Papacy: (1) The use of the labor unions to enforce Sunday laws; (2) The appeal to them to come under the control, the "advice" of the Papacy. That means political use if necessary; and it is all outlined in the prophecies of the Bible. We might say in passing that the conservation of the rights of the working man will be met in the conservation of the rights of the individual, whoever he may be.