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THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY.
to ask whether the bishops or the economists will exercise the
greater influence over the people ?
The Christlich-sociale Blaetter soon published the principles
which were to preside over the organization of the Catholic
Social Associations. These statutes are in several respects
worthy of attention. No member of these associations can
belong at the same time to a Social Democratic club. Every
Christian Social Association must cleave closely to the Church :
extra Ecclesiain nulla salus. It should place itself under the
patronage of St. Joseph, and should celebrate the anniversary
of its foundation with religious festivals. A priest ought not
to be selected as president, but some sound person who has
the full confidence of the clergy. Persons of property, and
even employers of labour, may be appointed honorary mem
bers, but must not have any voice in the management of the
association. Even the appearance of being “ taken in tow by
capital ” {im schlepptau des Kapitals) must be carefully avoided.
Coalitions and strikes should not be absolutely condemned,
for that would involve the loss of all influence over the working
men. Moreover, in the existing industrial system, working
men have no other means of defending themselves and of
making their rights respected. It is best to exclude politics,
except when the interests of the Church are at stake, when the
associations should throw themselves into the contest with all
their strength. Meetings should be convened on Sundays, for
, the discussion of all matters concerning the social question.
Associations of journeymen, those of factory operatives, and
those of rural labourers, form the three main branches of the
grand social confederation, and between them a close alliance
should be established.
This, as may be seen, opened up an ambitious prospect.
The idea was nothing short of combining in one general
federation, submissive to the Church, the living forces of the
labourers in both workshop and field throughout all Germany.
It was something more than an imperium in imperio ; it was
society itself, brigaded and drilled by ecclesiastics, who were
to be versed at once in theology and political economy.
The central committee fixed with great wisdom the limit of
