Socialist Sermonettes.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 42, 22 December 1911, Page 4

Socialist Sermonettes.

By JIMMIE PANNIKIN.

Modern Socialism differs essentially from its precursors by the fact that it is a permanent phenomenon, to be met with in all civilised countries, whenever industry is highly developed. This latter circumstance proves to evidence that there is question here,' not of a merely external appearance produced artificially by popular agitators and demagogues, but that we are confronted by a phenomenon rooted in and nourished by the soil of modern conditions." Gathrein, S.J.

Cathrein wrote to expose the alleged fallacies of modern, Socialism. He •Bays: "Modern Socialism can and must be combated both theoretically and practically. Practical endeavours are of the first importance, and they, above all, will help to check the further epread of social democracy."

In the first extract he admits that modern Socialism is a permanent phenomenon, not merely a temporary aberration of the workers' increasingly educated intellects. To the ordinarily intelligent lay mind, it would seem utterly- futile to attempt to eradicate that which had become permanent. A scientific doctor does not try to cure complaints which he recognises as chronic; he may attempt to mitigate the evils they cause. Of course, modern Socialism is Tiiot a complaint; it is a sure and safe and certain sign that this diseased civilisation of ours is about to be healthy, for the first time in the world's history.

"Within the* last few years Socialism has spread to an alarming extent." —■ Gathrein. The rapidly-increasing extent of the spread of Socialism alarms only those who are either ignorant and timid, or intelligent and callous. Socialism is "the greatest and grandest religion ever born for the betterment of humanity. It is so fine and large, and so soul-atid-body-and-brain satisfying that art embraces with open arms all nations, all colors, all creeds, all castes and all Classes. It moves steadily, yet swiftly, onward to abolish those awful excrescences of extremes —"too much" and "too little."

* 'Social reform along reasonable linos will remove the grievances which now furnish ample material for the declamations of Socialistic agitators. For no on© can. deny that in our modern society many abuses call for correction." ©athrein.

The world's workers are sick, very sick) of reform along reasonable lines, for tho reforms along reasonable lines hare proved to be but paltering with palliatives that are but microscopic patches, here and there, on the ship of State, the ship that the cozening captains of industrial exploitation have steered perilously close to disaster. The agitators' ample material needs [ ample . mean's of redress, not the palliatives of penn'orths of tar. The S.J. controvexsaiist does not realise that Christ was the Great Socialist Agitator, and that for his advocacy of the claims of ''the Man Underneath " He was crucified between. two thieves by thieves. According to the famous and fine Professor Herron, the theologians received a life job for centuries just for preaching that the Man Underneath could not be possibly anywhere than just, where he was. The. theologians have always cared more for lopsided logic than for the lifting of labor. But modern Socialism hsts set out, confident of success, to remove the cruel and crushing burdens of the Man Underneath, and to see that none may take his place. "Reform is not the real aim of Socialists; their purpose is the radical subversion of all existing social conditions, and the reconstruction of society on an entirely new basis."-rr Gathrein. ~--•■■ ! "Under entirely ' new management" 'is the sign that the modern Socialists J intend to hang otit, but they do not aim at the radical subversion of ALL exist-. j ing social conditions. Some existing social conditions require but slight alteration in order to be infinitely better when a new environment is supplied. Though "the permanent phenomenon of modern Socialism is rooted in, and nourished by, the soil of modern social conditions/ , Cafchrein advocates nothing but the mere tickling of the said sad, sour soil with the hoes of feeble and futile expedients, in order to remove the grievances which now furnish ample material for the declamations of Socialist agitators, Basic faujts require basic alterations; but modern Socialism does not propose to turn society topsy-turvy at short notice. It preaches incessantly that public opinion must be rightly educated, before the social democracy can come into its own. "Education first and alteration afterwards" is the motto of the modern. Socialist. No sane, scientific Socialist would attempt to bring about new conditions of life and labor and living before the workers are ready to adapt themselves accurately to altered environment.