Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-04-23


never by the adhereuts of the Greek and
Russian Churches. Russia still persists in
! computing according to the Old Style. and
he humorously remarked that in consequence,
Russia was twelve days behind the agei
The Church had abolished serfdom wher-
ever its influence extended. Amidst the
walls and cries of oppressed millions. there
was no oyerruling voice to be heard " except
the voice of one old man, and he sat in the
Vatican " AT the command of one Pope
the shackles had fallen from the limbs of ten
millions of white slaves. And here the lee
turer again adduced the testimony of Guizot
to show that the overthrow of serfdom or
white slavery in Europe was due to the Cath
olic Church. There had been much unjust
censure bestowed upon the heads of the
Church for exercising the power of deposi-
ton, accommodation and absolution of sub
jects from their allegiance. The exercise of
that power had arisen from necessity, and had
always been in favor of the oppressed II
was not claimed as an inherent right. and
had not been exercised for three centuries.
The Bishop here arrived at the most inter
esting portion of his lecture, relating to the
agency of the Church in the establishment
and protection of republics showing that in
every case where republic had been formed.
the fact that the surrounding monarchies had
respected its rights, was due to the vigilance
and support of the Church. The Popes had
always listened to the voice of the people;
and where they had attempted to govern
themselves. they had always had the sympa-
thy, and often the aid of the Church The
right of full representation, the main founda-
ton stone of repubiicanism, had been taught
to the people by the precepts and examples
of the Church. The Church had ALWAYS
aimed her blows at tyranny in all its forms.
Here he gave his audience brief review of
the histories of modern republics showing
that in every instance, except that of our own
their founding was due to the fostering care
of the Catholic Church and that even in our
case, our liberties were wrung from the grasp
of Protestant England by the aid of Catholic
France-while none were found more devoted
in its service during the Revolution than those !
from Catholic ireland. If republics were
inclined to degenerate, as some are fond of
teaching no part of that degeneracy could be |
attributable to Catholicism His description /
of the little republic of San Marino. that |
'' glitters like a jewel among the italian 4
existing in the bosom of the |
Papal States, and maintained in its integrity |
and purity by the influence of the Church. |
his allusion to Tell, the republic he founded |
and the Catholic Chapel erected to his memo |
ry, and especially his account of the distin- t
guished Catholics prominent in the service of I
our own republic, were greeted with much /
applause.
The Bishop noted the remarkable fact that |
the era of the Reformation was also the era
of absolutism in Europe. 1t was more than I
one hundred and fifty years before England
was restored to the same liberty she enjoyed
before the year 1917 or the beginning of the
When the Church was shorn
Of her influence, tyrants were left free in their
and the union of Church and State
in Protestant kingdoms left the people long in
hopeless oppression.
In conclusion, the Bishop thanked his au-
lience for their kind attention, and addressed
ed few pathetic words of congratulation and
to the members of the Catho-
ic Institute Recommending to them the study
of history and all other useful branches, as
them with means to repel the char
res now so often made as to the aggressive
md anti-republican influences of the Catholic
Church, and advising them to indulge no ex-
:lusiveness on account of difference of nation
llity cit is no NATTER" he said, IF we
ire the children of God and of this free Gov
where we are born"
As he closed, an eloquent expression of ad-
niration and gratitude beamed from the coun-
enances of the listeners, and the announce
nent by the President that after Bishop
,palding had returned from his proposed visit
o Mobile, he would perhaps consent to lee
ure again before the Institute, was welcomed
With applause.
49, .