Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-10-30
The Late Catholic Council
Correspondence Philadelphia Press.

Correspondence IHlIsIeli lAd Press.
Archbishop Purcell, in his sermon,
stated this morning that this council
was impressed with the necessity OF
retaining to Cath2licity the United
States of America, AID intimated this
to be the grand Object Of its meeting
There is to be no crusade preached
against Professionalism no offensive
thrusting forward the doctrines and
practices of Rome upon population,
the great majority Of whom are
opposed to that Church, but in a quiet
way the clergy are To set about their
work of proselytism with energy,
perseverance, and industry. If Italy
loosens her chains TO follow strange
idols, America must come forward to
the front and assume a frsC place
among the faithful.
Ii the Catholic nations of Europe
show signs of decay and stand but
Indifferent spectators while Plus TX.
is perplexed to find spot where to
lay his head, beyond the reach of his
enemies, the Church in the United
States is to send him words Of cheer,
and draw from MIN tribute Of graf
itude, The Council has taken the
most decided stand on the Papal
question, and pledges the American
Church, in as empathatic manner
as the Latin language can convey to
his Holiness its unreserved loyalty
and attachment. The council, it IS
said, was 20 less decided on another
matter of not less Importance ; | refer
to the public school system Of the
United States. The Bishops do not
condemn that system, but insist
strongly that the Catholic youth of
the country shall be educated in
Catholic establishments. The cate
chism must go hand IN hand with the
grammar. The principles Of religi-
on must not be subordinated to the
principles Of arithmetic, nor mere
worldly advantages be pursued to the
detriment of the souls salvation.
Those who know with what pertinac-
ity the Catholic clergy in other coun-
tries make all other considerations
sink before that of making converts,
will realize the field Of labor nov
open here to men who devote their
entire energies towards the accom-
plishment Of their darling project
If this Council can effect it, there will
be revival of religious fervQr that
will extend to every portion of the
country. The scheme is of the most
comprehensive character, embracing
field Of operations that is as yet
Untouched.
phe Freedmen from the South form
the new missionary field which stands
ready to receive the new crusaders
On the subject of the evangelizatior
of the Southern negroes the Counci
have not merely followed what the
shrewdness Of It's perlatcs at one,
saw to be a splendid chance, but
have carried out the express instruc
tons Of Rome. The Southern negro
is to be Christiaaizcd, educated ano
redeemed The Catholic priest is tc
enter there with the same zeal hat
he does the interior ofChina or Sand
witch Islands. This work, in ever y
respect SO important, was to have
been done, as | have been told, in
the most quiet, though most deter
mined, way possible. It was 70 have
been done before Protestant sects
had yet caught the idea, and hence
the indignation ! hear everJ where
expressed at the publication the
other day of Cardinal Barnabo's let
ter to the assembled Bishops on that
subject. The letter was received by
Archbishop Spalding, who for the
convenience of his brother Bishops
ordered the printing of q sufficient
number of copies, with the most pos
itiYe instructions that there should
be nothing said about it outside the
Council. The printers say they
know not how the Latin copy gaald
have got out of the Office, unless
stolen by a correspondent of a New
York paper, and the translation they
say was execrable. But however
that letter got into print (the Press
published it the other day., the fact
is clear that the Catholic Church in
tends to take the blacks under its
protecting wing, and ifpossihIe claim
exclusive protection over them.