American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-02-02

OF Iarllament proclaimed on the au
thority of letter written by a Priest Of
Ireland, who was opposed to emigra-
tion, that the only way to convert the
Irish would be to remove from them
the pretence that they were prosecuted
by the State, and to make them equal
before the law by sending them to A.
morica, and then indeed in short
time they would renomce their reli gion
and become like other sensible men,
Laughter. @ q a~
Increase of Roman Catholicism.
In relation to the third element of
progress, conversion, the Bishop says,
although he just before disclaimed the
use Of 6 boastful terms" ":- ri '.vg 90
"We all know that from the time of
Archbishop Carroll to the present day
there have been numerous converts
In New England, East, West, South,
everywhere, there is scarcely any con-
gregation that does not number its con-
verts; and those converts take better
care to instil their faith into the minds
of their children than those who receive
their faith from Catholic parents
[Applause.] What, then, is the con-
dition of the Catholic Church as COM
pared with the time ofArchbishop Car
roll? Seventy years ago not going
out Of this period, in the history Of the
United States Of America, was the first
occasion on which the Catholic church
was tried by such "Reminiscences
What is the condition to-day Of the
Catholic Church, it's population made
up of three elements? Two millions
three hundred ninety-seven thousand
five hundred souls. Then, there were
twenty-five. or twenty-three priests; !;
now there are seventeen hundred and
siXty-one priests. Then there was no
bishop to orda;n priests, if there were
candidates.; now there are seven arch
bishops and thirty-five bishops. There
were but the four churches l have men
toned, and now there are nineteen hum
dred and ten churches, besides other
stations where Divine worship is held,
to the number of eight hundrd and
ninety-fve. Then in the Catholic
Church there was not Catholic Sem
mary for the training of Levites for
the sanctuary; now there are thirty
seven seminaries appropriated exclu-
sively to the training Of youth to serve
both God and man. Then there was
no colleges now there are twenty-four
incorporated by the States in which
they are placed. Then we had but
one female academy; now we have one
hundred and thirty. BUTT is unneces-
sary to go on, and give other evidences
of progress; these are sufficient"
The Bishop then adyerts to the future
prospects Of Catholics, and says:
Notwithstanding the poverty of Cath
olics, they have succeeded in producing
the results to which have referred-I
will not say in spite of light and knowl-
edge, but in harmony with them, du.
ring the period Of seventy years under
this great and extensive republic. APP
plause. What then is threpros pect
with regard to the Catholic rsSligion7--
The prospect is, that IL is going on in
creasiug by the medium of native.born
Catholics in this country. The prospect
with superior advantages, and the BEN
efts Of Instruction IN almost every part
of the country. aud the presence of
priests where it's necessary, looking
to spiritual interests for them to reside
Catholics will nstil into their descend.
ants the knowledge Of their religion
and the lessons of virtue which they
have received, and which they prize
mote than life. And this religion will
extend, not by miraculous means but
will hold its own from tho moment that
immigration dninishos. IL will not
lapse and fall away into Indifference
and infdelity, Of which writer's have so
much reason to complain.
My impression is however, that i'm.
migration will diminish. That it will
cease, is not all probable; for tho re.
la'ions of kindred are too numerous to
suppose that there will not constantly
be persous passing from one side of the
Atlantic to the other, even should they
uot expect any teDpofai advantages by
the change.
immigration, as have said, will d.
minish. The country has had enough
Of it. The welcome is not so cordial as
it was, tho hand of Kindness Of other
days is not stretched out any more, aud
the Immigrants feel that they arc not
now so ardently welcomed. This will
tostraia them To some extent. On the
other hand, the population Of Ireland
has been much thinnod, so many hav.
ing been driven from her soil by famine
or uttered in her bosom by pestilence;
and this will influence The immigration
from that country not d little while ihey
will be restrained both from motives Of
religion aud philanthropy from coming
hither, III consequence of tho reception
which awaits them. The third reason