An Introduction
November 12, 1924. THE COMMONWEAL 5 AN INTRODUCTION HE question...
...As opposed to the piesent confused, confusing, and conflicting complex of prince opinions, and personal impressionism, mirrored in so many influential journals, the editors of THE COMMONWEAL believe that nothing can do so much for the betterment, the happiness, and the peace of the American people as the influence of the enduring and tested principles of Catholic Christianity...
...The patent economic facts likewise present a refreshingly definite aspect...
...A new journal cannot convey its character through any single number any more than a new acquaintance can establish claims to one's friendship at a first meeting...
...Railroad freight loadings indicate a brisk distribution of goods...
...There is being promulgated a widely accepted theory of what civilization is, or what it should be, which, if it proves successful means the end of Christendom, so far as the expression or influence of Christian principles and ideas in the institutions of civilized life are concerned...
...Even the cotton mills are showing greater activity, while building operations are remarkably sustained and higher than last year...
...It means the attainment of a definite will for accord, without which no plan would amount to more than mental gymnastics...
...THE COMMONWEAL 5 AN INTRODUCTION HE question will naturally arise why the editors of T THE COMMONWEAL believe there is room for another journal to discuss public affairs, to review the important publications ~of the day, and produce original fiction, essays and poetry...
...In this country, industrial production shows a moderate expansion with continued extreme ease in money rates...
...For the difference between THE COMMONWEAL and other weekly literary reviews designed for general circulation is that THE COMMONWEAL will be definitely Christian in its presentation of orthodox religious principles and their application to the subjects that fall within its purview: principles which until now have not, we believe, been expressed in American journalism except through the medium of the official organs of the Catholic Church and of the various denominations...
...We intentionally place moral forces first...
...Thus the successful flotation of the German external loan means far more than the dollars and cents supplied as a cornerstone to the Dawes plan...
...Belgium is about balancing her budget...
...The Dawes tonic is being administered to Germany...
...But it will be in no sense—nor could it possibly assert itself to be—an authoritative or authorized mouth piece of the Catholic Church...
...Where the opinion of its editors,~ contributors and readers differs on subj&cts yet unsettled by competent authority, it will be an open forum for the discussion of such differences in a spirit of good temper...
...Nevertheless, the proper ceremonial usages call for a brief introduction of THE COMMONWEAL on the part of its sponsors...
...To such questions we reply: We believe that THE COMMONWEAL will be so fundamentally different to our contemporaries that in place of competition in an over-crowded field we shall occupy a position that hItherto has been left vacant...
...Employmene is increas~ing...
...We would seem to be on the threshold of progress through a cycle of economic expansion...
...It is unquestionably a spiritual, moral, and patriotic duty for thinking people at least to make an effort to apply the conserving and regenerative forces of the fountain head of Christian tradition, experience and culture to the problems that today all men of good will are seeking to solve...
...In representative industries, there have been recorded during one month about forty wage increases to six reductions...
...Commodity prices have advanced sharply since the year's low point in the second week of July...
...In presenting the first number of THE COMMONWEAL to its readers, or it may be more exact to say, to those whom we would have as readers, the editors realize that it is not by what they may say about their intentions so much as by the way their intentions are realized that the new journal will be judged...
...Above all, the crop yields and prices have revolutionized the agricultural outlook...
...They represent a forceful moral decision, upon which other countries can reckon and plan accordingly...
...So, too, the British elections are important not so much because they placed the conservatives in power as because they marked the end of divided counsels, compromise ministries and precarious responsibility...
...To that high task THE COMMONWEAL is dedicated...
...As a sure background THE COMMONWEAL will have the continuous, unbroken tradition and teachings of the historic Mother Church...
...WORLD BUSINESS MV ITHOUT voicing an undue optimism, it is evident that many forces both at home and abroad have been merging during the last few months to effect greater moral and economic stability...
...It will be the independent, personal product of its editors and contributors, who, for the most part, will be laymen...
...French revenues from taxation have aceeded the budget provisions...
...Therefore, they ask that the judgment upon their work be not exclusively based upon any one issue of THE COMMONWEAL...
...rather they shape statistics and give them their value afid prospective...
...Abroad, favorable signs appear everywhere except in Russia...
...Do they hope to find place for THE COMMONWEAL through competition with the weekly reviews that already occupy the field...
...Its pages will be open to writers holding different forms of Christian belief, and in scme cases to authors who do not profess any form of Christian faith...
...They are not subject to statistical analysis...
...Italy shows a reduced import balance, increased shipping activity, and a fall in unemployment combined with an increase of savings deposits...
Vol. 1 • November 1924 • No. 1
