The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-09
To Our Readers.

Though, il il common saying, that az a
good character needs no praise, 30 a. goou
book needs no preface still as an intrOdnc-
ton is required before an intimacy he al
lowed. we>will presume to Introduce our
selves to our readers, with few PREDATORY
remarks. hoping the introduction, though
self made, will lead to intimacy with our
Catholic brethren as kindly and lasting as
we expect our Subscribers to he numerous.
For several years-since our last Catholic
English paper, the Southern Pilot, Mas-sup-
pressed by the tyIannieai-h and OF Butler
who triee-to crush under his despotlc sway
M independence of mind and all liberty OF
action-all .alr Catholics have deeply felt
the want OF IL Catholic paper, devoted to
the interests of Catholicism i'll this section
of the country And in fact such de-
tici.ncy was understandable, when we con-
slider that between Charleston and st. Louis
tierc is no Catholic paper OF the English
lursage, and that English ia the native
tongue-of AZ numerous part Of the Catholic
rnrulatiom in the ArchdiOcese of New On
leans, and we may say of almost the whole
tart1otic 1opuiutiiun the thes ,dioceses nf
this ecclesiastical province.
Every one must acknowledge that the
press, and particularly the periodical press,
is one of the great powers of the day. We
can hardly imagine any more efficacious in
str,,ment, amy more powerful engne-any
more ftlfential mode of action; and IT IN
this ceaseless war engaged between truth
and error the Catholics would neglect the
use of that powerful arm, they would wilful-
ly and culpably make themselves inade=-
uuate to the holy -w0rkwfhicft Almighty God
requires of them. -
1T is commonly said that 7" truth is pow
erfill and will prevail.n-I If this saying be
understood of the final result it ID certain
that Almighty God will make His Eternal
Truth prevail, and forever against the
father of lies. Buff this saying be ap-
Piled to the actual course of human affairs,
it is a most fanciful and absurd notion.
If truth should always prevail, then justice
antlfirtue should also always prevail, since
Justice and virtue are nothing else hut the
practical application of the truth. But this
is not the case among men, where we see 30
often untruth, injustice, and vice impu-
IDENTITY prevailing, raising shamelessly their
hideous heads, and trampling insolently
under foot all that is true, just, and good.
Truth will not prevail among men unles:
it he boldly asserted, heartily maintained
and strongly defended. Truth is the com
mon property of mankind; all men have al
! ,lmo,estjonable right to enjoy it, as web a
sun. Those Who love darkness more tina
the light, may Shut the eyes oftheir min,
To the rays of truth. AS to us Catholics
: who know for certain that we possess h
truth;-Wt ought to preserve it with create
care, but i'll the same manner as any othe
property, by asserting, maintaining, an,
7 protecting our rights.
Those who expect that Almighty Go,
will preserve The truth amongst us withou
any eNertion on our part, are tempting tn,
Lord and asking of God a miracle that will
not he granted to- them. 1t is true, AL
mighty God will fulfill the promises H
made to His Church; but He has not prom
ised to keep any private man or any par
tieuar nation in the truth without his o
their cooperation. The Creator does no
need the help of any creature. Still it il
IL general order that in all human affairs III,
requires our working with Him.
5 We have known in former years
secret society, the motto of which was
Help thyself, Heaven will help thee.
This secret society was bad and its objec
was netarious; but themotto was good, ant
!, we propose it to the consideration Of thos.
lazy Catholics who slumber in their neglec
and indifference, relying rashly on Goo
alone, without any effort of their own fo
here may be well applied the words of tn,
Saviour, that the children of this worl,
are more wise in their ways than the children
of light"
Let us, therefore, make all possible exer.