infamous publications

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have some trouble in understanding the underlined sentences. Could anybody do me a favor?


Those infamous publications of the cheap press tend to disorganise the very frame of society... they inflame their [the poor's] passions and awaken their selfishness, contrasting their present condition with what they contend to be their future condition - a condition incompatible with human nature, and with those immutable laws which Providence has established for the regualtion of civil society.

Thansk a lot. :wink:

Celia

 

[Tdol]

contrasting their present condition with what they contend to be their future condition - a condition incompatible with human nature, and with those immutable laws which Providence has established for the regualtion of civil society.

This person is criticising the publications for giving the poor a picture of a better future because this picture is not compatible with human nature (ie- there will always be poor people) and giving them this picture goes against the unchanging laws of God. In other words, you shouldn't tell the poor that they could have a better future because it will upset the balance of society. It's a rich person, who thinks the poor should know their place and leave him with his money.