William Cardinal O'Connell and Father John A. Ryan differed dramatically on the issue of state intervention. Although a great admirer of Pope Leo XIII, Cardinal O'Connell saw government legislation regarding labor and business as opening the door to a socialist form of government.

At the time of this address, the Bishops' Program of Reconstruction after World War I was garnering much attention. Written by Fr. Ryan, the Program called for social reform legislation that would regulate working conditions and wages. Cardinal O'Connell, who with its critics saw it as leaning toward socialism, spoke out and worked actively against it. In this speech, the Cardinal warns of the dangers of government interference in business and citizens' private lives.

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