136

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  members, ­
  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