Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-03-27

not only been one of toll but Of danger. Travel
ing by night and by day through the vast wilder
nesses and prairies Of the West-making the green
earth his bed, and the blue canopy Of heaven his
covering, his labors everywhere, have been
crowned with success. It was Bishop Cretin who
emphatically planted the seed of the Church in
the valley Of the Upper Mississippi. His whole
life in the West has been type of purity, morale
ty and religion, worthy of imitation by all who
may come after him. q, e7 a.--5
But in another sense, he, like others Of his pro-
fession and faith, is the representation of great
principle in our own government. The Constitu-
ton of the United States had its foundation In
religion, excluding all religious tests in the en-
joyment of political rights and the Catholic
Church of America, has ever proved itself true
and faithful to its requirements. ,. =
And fellow citizen, cannot refrain from ex-
pressing my sympathy with the sons of Ireland
now met around this festive board because every
drop of blood in my veins is of Irish descent
Every sympathy of my heart is with you in pray
ing for the redemption of Ireland from the Eng
lish yoke. Not only is my sympathy with you in
this political sense, but sincerely with you in q
religious sense, both by birth and education.
In our revolutionary struggle for liberty, the
great father of his country expressed his high
obligations to the Catholics of the Colonies for
their patriotism and devotion to the cause Of lib
erty. When persecution showed its head against
the Catholic citizens of America the father of his
country again frowned upon the movement and
renewed his manifestation of gratitude to the peo
pie of your faith. And you have the proud con-
ISOLATION of knowing that although kings and ty-
rants have watered the soil with Catholic blood,
yet Catholicity hath steadily spread until its arms
now almost encircle the world But persecution
nor the day of persecution hath not yet passed;
your holy religion has to meet another test. 1t
has been left for Republican America, after hav-
ing united by their laws and institutions, the
down-trodden and oppressed of every nation TO
make this government dedicated to freedom, their
home, where they could enjoy without fear Of mo-
lestation the right to worship God according to
the dictates of their conscience, to find party
a political party, bold enough to plant them
selves against your religion and your civil rights.
This new political party has been conceived in
sin and brought forth in iniquity. Its race will
be short, and its end Infamous. This new party,
dark in deeds and designs-secret in action and
oath-bound in obligation, has no terrors either
for native or adopted citizens. SIT is monster Of
so hideous mien to be hated needs but to be
SEEM" 1t is already covered with the slime of
universal depravity, falsehood and perjury,
But my fellow citizens, it is to be hoped that
the present existing war in Europe, will be pro.
ductive of glorious results to freemen and to free
dom. c ~,
The fires of liberty that have heretofore been
kindled in Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Italy and
France, may yet find the hour come in Europe for
the redemption from the yoke of tyranny.-and
the lamp of liberty that has been shining for
than half century upon this Continent, will it is
hoped, illuminate their pathway. Then, Irishmen,
pray for the redemption of Ireland, Germans for
Hungary and Poland, Frenchmen for Italy and
France.
But few years more and another star will be
added to that flag which was borne in front Of
your procession to-day. Then bid your country
men to come to West. We have room for all
Ireland-we have room for all Hungary and Po-
land-we have room for the Republicans Of
France and Italy. Then Irishmen, be true asyou
ever have been-to that fag-to the Constitution
and your adopted country. And though last,
yet first in your hearts-be true to your God
and to your religion. U G.ke.
CorcY uprD