Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-12-01
The Patriotic and Loyal Catholic
Archbishop Of Ohio.
STERLING PROCLAMATION TO HIS PEOPLE.

A STERLING PROCLAMATION TO HIS PEOPLE.
The President OF the United States and
Inc Governor of the State Of Ohio having,
lii conformity with a most proper and time
bonorei practice, appointed the fourth
Thursday OF November aS a day of thanks
giving to the Almighty God for His mer-
clcs; oil humiliation for orr sins; anu OF
snpplicatloE for peace; We hereby ordain
that the Catholic congregation OF this dio-
cese be earnestly exhorted by their pastors
To meet in their respective churches on the
day above specified. and assist in becom-
ing sentiments OF gratitude. penltence and
prayer, at the great Eucharistic, cxrlana-
tory aud impeiratory Sacrifice OF the New
Law
We. Catholics. have largely shared in
the blessings cf health, abundant harvests
and exemption from the ravages of war
which God has granted to the people of
the North. Our sins have as largely mer-
tied the cha>ti>ement which has ovrrinken
our erring brethren of the South, and
which has cost the life blood Of so many
thousands OF our own brave soldiers who
vance of the Zoe and coniine the deadly
strife to the battle fields on which il ma lly
originated. Our hopes of future happi-
ness on earth are vain il the peace. the
prosperity. the progress in arts, science
and religion which have distinguished MS
among the earth for four score and eight
years, and which under the divine bless
ing, ale mainly attributable to our Consii-
tuition and the Union. be not continued bv
the maintenance Of that Union ard the ELI
mination of those defects which Christian
civilization and our experience have shown
us the Constitution contained. 1t there
foTc becomes our solemn duty to observe.
with no ordinary fervor, the national holi-
day; and as we cannot enjoy, and should
not desire, peace. happiness and independ-
euce. except in the society of our fellow
citizens, we should pray for and promote
| by every means in our power, their welfare
as well as our own.
We confess tba: it has greatly panied It's
to hear that certain rash, irreverent and
thoughtless men of her communion have
denounced and cursed the Government,
the AdmInisti alton. and their abeitors.--
8. Now God commands us to bless and curse
not. And when bad men cursed the sup
porters of the Government. did they not
reflect that they cursed the more than hund-
reds OF Thousands OF Catholic voters, and
Catholic soldiers Of our army, who defend
that Government in the field? Did they
not reflect that its downfall won Id be hail
ed with acclamation by our own heredita-
ry oppressors, across the ocean? Did
they not re1ec. that il political salvation
is ever 10 reach far distant and beloved
island. it must come to them from these
United States which they wonld sever?
There is no justifying cau.e or reason 10
curse the Government or the Administers
tion. They did not commence this war.
They could scarcely bring themselves to
believe that it was seriously commenced,
even when forts hal fallen and the blood
Of our people was shed by the hands of The
South. And when force had 10 be repeiI-
ed by force. when armies had to be raised,
and, the;efnre. troops to he drafted TO raise
: the blockade os onr rivers and stem the
tide of aggression. what more did orr
Government do than was done in the
South? Where in the North was the draft,
the conscripiion. enforced as ruthlessly
and as indiscIiniinately as in the South
Where vas the citizens property confs-
Gated without compensation. for fhe alleg-
ed nses of the Government. as il was in the
South? We have eonversed with Irish
Catholic refugees from Georgia. from Ar
kansas, from Alabama and other Southern
States. and We know how they were strip
ped Of their money and their clothes. and
cast into prison when they refused to go
.iato the ranks of the Confederate army
Many an Irish lsb9fer told us in'the hos