CATHOLIC SOCIALISTS.
I31
midst of the immoral surroundings of the factory, is to destroy
the Christian family.
The union of all these measures should constitute the
“Labour Code,” just as there is a commercial code, a
maritime code, and a civil code. It should regulate the
relations between apprentices and masters, manufacturers
and workmen. The existing anarchy would then cease. A
social order, not exactly identical with that which formerly
existed, but based on the same principles, would be re
established. Is it to be wondered at, adds the orator, that
the demands of the people are sometimes unreasonable, and
their accusations often too violent, when we reflect that nothing
whatever is done for them ?
(2) Like Lassalle, Canon Moufang demands that the State
should advance money to working men’s societies. When rich
capitalists make a railway, the State often guarantees them
interest or subsidizes the undertaking. Why should it not
give the same advantages to working men ? They have even
a better claim ; for, with them, it is not a question of aggran
dizement, but of life. “ I am no partisan of M. Louis Blanc’s
Workshops,” said Herr Moufang, “ but when a sound associa
tion of working men is in need of aid, I cannot see why the
State should refuse to grant it. What is equitable for the
rich is equitable for the poor also.” The Canon of Mayence
cathedral omits to mention in what respect his associations
differ from those of M. Louis Blanc. The difference probably
consists in the fact that the associations proposed by the canon
would be founded on a ground work of Catholic principles ad
niajorafu Dei gloriam. ’
(3) The State ought to reduce the taxes and military
burdens which weigh so heavily upon the labourer. The
independent gentleman, with thousands in his purse pays
Hardly any taxes, while the worker, who has only his scanty
J^age, sees it still further reduced by direct and indirect
axation, to say nothing of the fact that the best years of his
for ^Grvice in the army. Distributive justice calls
radical reforms on this point. Militarism is the curse of
'-»ermany.
