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Show Plea for Popular Ownership of All , iPublic VinmesSmMimsMS I Editor Intermoiintain Catholic: In his article which appeared in your issue of Dec. ."J "P. D." seems to take a gloomy view of th. industrial conditions obtaining in the civilized world at present; anel in his references to what shall be in the future there is a note -of despair. The views expressed by your contributor must not necessarily be regarded as the distorted fancies of a morbid mind. In this country, at least, the conditions alluded to are assuredly apppalling. The luridly yawning gulf between rich and poor is growing grow-ing greater and more insufferable day by day. and threatens to, sooner or later, engulf ihe nation in I a cataclysm more dread and dire than any that has j ever afflicted the human race in ages past. And just now the pernicious factors actively at work in causing this lamentable state of affairs are being loudly advertised to the world of readers. Shall this publicity result in ameliorating the evils, or shall it simply hasten the elay of a direful reckoning reck-oning '. The unspeakable gravity of the evils wrought upon the body politic of the nation by the highhanded high-handed and ruthless spoliation of the toiling and producing masses by the predatory plutocracy of the land, becomes exasperatingly evident as one peruses "Frenzied Finance" in Everybody's Magazine; "The Plum Tree." in Success, or "The Despotism of Combineel Millions" in the Era magazine. ma-gazine. The revelations afforded by these "stories" of the ruthless debauchery by means of wholesale bribery and unscrupulous coercion and chicanery of the courts and legislatures of the land, and the other devious and conscienceless machinations by which an unsuspecting public is plundered of millions of dollars annually, and the moral character char-acter -of the people is. being surely and speedily ruined, is appalling in the extreme. It is. of a truth, a most grave and serious problem prob-lem with which this long and grievously suffering American nation is called upon to grapple. It is. verily, a struggle unto death that confronts it; for either must this monstrous agency of dire corruption corrup-tion be summarily destroyed, or our cherished re- nublican institution must crumble and fall as an inevitable consequence of the moral and spiritual decay which must be the logical result of the unchecked un-checked reign of this Moloch of iniquity. Perhaps the most alarming manifestation of the baneful effects of this fruitful cause of discontent and ruinous strife is the surprisingly rapid growth of godless socialism, which, in turn, threatens to become an even more prolific breeder of iniquity, confusion and destruction. Is it really surprising that many who are overwhelmed over-whelmed in mind and heart by ihe apparent hopelessness hope-lessness of our soul-perplexing predicament, should fine! themselves forced to the conclusion that Christianity Chris-tianity has failed in its divine mission to the American Amer-ican people? It is. of course, easily apparent that to the godless god-less spirit that is animating (or rather, let us say, is paralyzing) the hearts of the people, "is rationally to be attributed the malady with which they are af-Hieteel. af-Hieteel. This being admitted, the question naturally natur-ally arises, where or with whom rests the responsibility responsi-bility for this deplorable state of affairs? AVhatever may be deemed to be the correct answer an-swer to this question, there can be no doubt in the mind of the enlightened and thoughtful student of human motives anel events that the Catholic church only possesses the power and vital influence that can effect the regeneration of the hearts of mankind, man-kind, that is an absolutely necessary condition precedent pre-cedent to a satisfactory solution of the vitally-important problem under consideration. When shall this essential regeneration of heart be consummated '. Verily, it would seem that it may not long be delayed, if this nation is to he saved fremi destruction and despair. Anel by what means is the benign Influence of Holy Church to be instilled into the hearts of the ne'ople, and thus rcnetered effective? This is the vitally significant and all-important question that now appeals most insistently to the minds and hearts of all earnest and devoted churchmen church-men the laity as well as the clergy. It may savor of egregious egotism and presumption presump-tion on the part of the writer to rashly essay to answer an-swer this question. He is, however, from time to lime assailed with thoughts relative to the problems prob-lems that are irresistibly urgent for utterance. If they shall, perchance, prove utterly worthless, their prayerful consideration can hardly prove harmful to any great degree. To effie-aciously imbue the hearts of the cnor- j SACRED HEART ACADEMY, OGDEN", UTAH. ! Beautifully located near the foot of the picturesque Wasatch range, within a short distance of Ogden's historic canyon, stands Sacred Heart Academy, one of the favorite institutions of the wedt. Since environment environ-ment I;- such an important factor in the development of heart and mind, and since tranquil -surroundings' are such a strog incentive to study and reflections, ihe situation of Sacred Heart most appeal to all as an ideal one from an educational viewpoint. , The above cut gives some idea of the architectural beauty of this magnificent structure. The interior Is in perfect harmony with the interior, as the entire building is heated by hot water, lighted by electricity, supplied with all the modern appliances that contribute contrib-ute to comfort and home feeling, and equipped with all the requisites for a thorough and accomplished education. No better test of the Academy's worth can be found than its ever-growing favor and the steady Increase of its iesident students. The enrollment for tha past year far outnumbers that of any previous term. Sacred Sac-red Heart Academy offers young ladies every facility for acquiring the highest grade of education. The course of studies is thorough and systematic, and embraces four departments minim, junior, preparatory prepara-tory and academic. The high standard of excellence required for graduation in both academic, and musical departments has secured the commendation of all true educators. The musical - department modeled, aftar the best conservatories affords unsurpassed ad-.' vantages to those desiring musiea'. ejuiia'tion,'', The" high degree of excellence attained in both' Vocal and mously rich with the saving truths laugiit' by the Catholic church would, obviously, prove at once th most direct and the simplest means of restoring the beneficent rule of good will, justice and equity to our corrupt ion-reeking political zealots. Tut this is manifestly impossible. The ministrations of Holy Church have at all times been freely proffered. t' , these, as to all men: their present godless attitude is therefore a manifest exemplification of the truth of the words of our divine Savior, indicating that, the heart of the rich man is prone to obdurately reject re-ject the kingdom of Cod. The stupendous power and the diabolically selfish self-ish and reckless spirit in which if is wielded would, of a verity, seem to be the most formidable weapon at the command of the arch enemy of Tloiy Church in this day and age. Iy their means does he ;o--complish the wreck and ruin of souls. The ordinary ordin-ary mortal seems no more capable of withstanding the sonl-hlight ing and demoralizing influence of predatory wealth than is the hopelessly confirmed inebriate able lo resist the temptation lurking in the tlask when if is placed within his reach. If the craving for alcoholic stimulants were a universal, all-pervading and insatiabl" as is that for wealth on the part of mankind, would not, all legitimate le-gitimate and available means of preventing irs gratification grat-ification be restored to by the devoted shepherd of soul, even though this involved the annihilation of all alcoholic beverages. Jet the loss fall where it might '. Is not. forsooth, the application of this "moral"' to the problem under consideration irresistably obvious ob-vious '. So long as the sins of ihe men of many m i II i or; -5 were supposed to be those of omission only and the deplorable distress caused by the accumulation of stupendous wealth the inevitable result of purely negative forces, it was natural that the minUtet-s of (rod, commissioned to apply ihe truths of salvation to the souls of the race of" men. should earnestly counsel pious submission and abstention from ail radical measures that in any sense savored of confiscation. con-fiscation. But now that it has become elenrly and painfully evident that the 1 ransgressions of the stu- ' pendously rich are perniciously active, relentless!..-positive relentless!..-positive and inexorably demoralizing, what shall henceforth be the attitude of these men of Cod '. In tho light of recent revelation above allude.! to it must be evident to all intelligent men that the diabolical influence of predatory wealth is waxing ever more and more elespotically potent, and its exercise ex-ercise ever more and more rapaciously aggressive. As this pernicious power is all but absolutely irresistible irre-sistible in its soul-blight ing influences, and is seemingly seem-ingly not in the least amenable "to the godly influences influ-ences of religion, were it not well to earnestly strive to accomplish its utter annihilation? .Not by violence or unlawful means, to be sure; for these must always be abhorrent to those who sincerely profess the religion of Christ. But are there no lawful, entirely legitimate and irreproachable morrl means by which the deadly fangs of the monster of iniquity might be effectually effec-tually drawn '. Measures of this character have been proposed, have from time to time been expouneled and are now being more or less persistently and potently advocated; or, at least, such is the conviction of the writer. ''The public ownership of public utilities," fo instance, would have a powerful effect in crushing the ruthless rapacity of corporate greed. It i. in the insatiably selfish interests of the private ownership owner-ship of railways, city transportation, lighting and water supply facilities that the legislature ami judiciary ju-diciary corrupting influences have been most perniciously per-niciously active. By the conversion of the ownership owner-ship of such utilities from private individuals to tho nation, state or municipality, much of this species of corruption and iniquity would at once be effectually effec-tually eradicated from our body politic. That the new regime would give rise. to increased corruption of another kind many affect to believe; this i?. however, by 110 means a self-evident proposition, those now managing the affairs of the concerns under un-der consideration have the same incentives and practically the same opportunities for plundering their employers as would have the servants of the public in the same capacity. But, be that as it may. the petty peculations that might thug occur would not be comparable in their injurious effect upon society as is the debauchery of the legislators Continued on Part Three. instrumental is well attested by the unanimous praise bestowed by competent critics. The frequent musical, literary and dramatic entertainments given are a great incentive to the students' improvement in thess lines, besides the opportunity they afford parents and friends to judge the students' progress. The following follow-ing tribute of an eastern professor testifies to the merits of these performances: "For skill and artistic work, the program of this evening would do credit to any conservatory in the country." Elocution and the art of expression receive special attention, also. In the art department students receiv careful instruction in the principles of perspective per-spective drawing, china painting, sketching from nature, na-ture, painting in oil and water color, and pyrography. The numerous prizes won at state and county fairs testify to the ability of the art students. Equally noted for beauty and variety are the results re-sults of the artistic needlework department. The discipline is mild, yet firm. Every effort is made to impart a homelike character to the surroundings, surround-ings, to render the students happy. ind to fit them for any sphere in life. That Sacred Heart is succeeding in its aim is borne out by many facts. Several of it former students are now holding responsible publii positions, numbers of it3 graduates are gaining distinction dis-tinction as efficient teachers in various cities of Utah and"the intermountain region, while others are radiating radiat-ing the charms and blessings of a reformed and Christian Chris-tian educatiun on numberless home circles throughout the west. , j! ! i . PLEA FOR POPULAR OWNERSHIP I Of ALL PIBLSC UTILITIES (Continued from page 1. part two.) j i 3 and judiciary of the land, with all its attendant ? I evils, under present conditions. j Even a much more radical and vitally signiti- cant measure of reform is that denominated the . "single tax" system. Under this system, it is claimed, it would be impossible for any one inci i vidual to control millions of wealth. j It is because this reform savors of confiscation and socialism when but superficially viewed that j it is regarded with suspicion, if not with well de- - fined sentiments of abhorrence, by many good and 1 honest men. Assuredly, if the plan be proven fo be an inherently immoral one, it. must stand con- , deraned of all godly men; but this, it is safe to as- --f sert, is impossible: it has received not only the de- j liberate and unqualified endorsement, but also the ! ardent advocacy of so loyal and zealous a prelate of the Catholic church as Archbishop Walsh. j "Marxian" socialism which. unfortunately. ; seems to be the type for emulation by many would- be reformers in this country is justly denounced and condemned by our churchmen, because it aims Xo found its reign upon a denial of God and his holy Church, and is therefore intrinsically as well as ex- plieitly immoral. Its aneendancy must necessarily inflict upon the nation the blight of spiritual and , moral paralysis, and the church must therefore, in ? pursuance of her divine mission, combat this dread monster with all the power and zeal that heaven I may vouchsafe unto her. i . Does it not hence follow that it is a most deplorable de-plorable mistake for Catholics to com found with. and denounce as, godless socialism in such pro- ! posed political reforms advocated in the interest s of the toiling and producing masses as are. in ! fact, neither essentially immoral nor inherently godless? If, as it may well happen, some of us are disposed to combat such proposed reform measures on rational grounds, let them confine their avowed motives to their true character and not libel j Holy Church by attributing to her denunciatory : doctrines .which she has never promulgated. If her doctrines in the essence are to be our guide, why '. not frankly confess that in pursuance thereto we must ever array ourselves on the side of the weak and oppressed as against the ruthlessly powerful 1 and the unscrupulous oppressor? If righteousness, peace and divinely-ordained good will shall ever again beneficently reign in this cherished land, it must be (can only be) contemporaneously contempo-raneously with the supreme sway of the holy influence influ-ence of the Catholic religion. And how can this be accomplished, if the great mass of people be not convinced that the church is ever the staunchly de- voted exponent of the sacred cause of the weak and the oppressed? That we. who have had her divine spirit inbred into our consciousness with our every moral and intellectual development, know all this, is not sufficient; this tru.th must be brought, home to the minds and hearts of all ere she shall be permit- ted to legitimately exercise her divinely-saving in-fiuenco in-fiuenco in behalf of this stricken nation. Shall not. therefore, we Catholics piously see to it that, the attitude of Holy Church be not misinterpreted misin-terpreted by the struggling masses because of our public utterances and actions? It is. indeed, a solemn duty that devolves upon us! Let us bo heroically faithful to this sacred duty, and the dread cataclysm that so ominously threatens to engulf en-gulf our cherished republican institutions and to all but utterly destroy this, the greatest of the world's democracies, shall be happily averted, and there shall ensue a glorious restoration of this once glorious (morally as well as politically and indu3- y trially) American nation. A. C. LAYMAX. Fort Collin's Colo., Dec. t'i. I . - i i i |