The creation and the spreading of Catholic opinion in social matters should be in our mind, the ultimate goal of our activities, for it is the greatest asset we can contribute to the vast work of Reconstruction.  As Lord Morley said, “great economic and social forces flow with tidal sweep over communities half conscious of that which is befalling them.  Wise statesmen are those who foresee what time is bringing and try to shape institutions and to mould men’s thought and purpose in accordance with the change that is silently surrounding them.”

Time, you readily understand, will not allow us to dwell upon the various problems which Reconstruction will bring before the country.  Our aim, now, is rather to awaken the sense of responsibility, stir the sleeping conscience into watchfulness, and give to our Catholic men and women the stimulating thought of co-operation.  Our country is being re-created in its political, social and economic life; to be a living factor in that “re-creation” is the duty of the hour.

Before bringing these remarks of a rather general character to a close allow us to mark for your attention the leading problems.  They will be as landmarks planted to guide you on the way.  In the international order, the problem of resetting nations on a new basis by a “just and durable peace” now faces the world.  Racial and language problems command our attention in the national order.  In the political world ideas are to be readjusted as to the nature, powers and obligations of the State.  Of late, the monopoly of the State has been asserting itself so strongly that one is led to believe the old pagan principle of the supremacy of the State will once more reign supreme.  When nations have ceased to give to God what belongs to God, they give to Caesar alone what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God.

The social order will witness demobilization and immigration.  Who cannot grasp the importance of these great problems with their various and intricate issues?  The greatest transformations are, perhaps, reserved for the economic order; capital and labor, efficient and greater production of industry and agriculture, the living wage, and uplifting of the workman’s status, etc.  In the educational order the battle will be greater, for there is a great tendency to centralize, to federalize education, under the plea of “national schools.”

The religious order will see tremendous efforts for union among the various non-Catholic denominations; “social service” will be their center of unity, the common field of action.