The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-16
cHAp1A1Hsm TIE ARMY.

CHAIIaAIN8IN TIE A60xs
Some years ago quite a, sensation was
created by the statements of a Presbyterian,
regarding the appointment of chaplains in
the navy. By his showing-and he gave
figures corroborative of his assertion-the
Episcopalians enjoyed almost q monopoly
in this branch of the service. The next
annual statement showed a more equitable
distribution, for the Calvinists had few
crumbs thrown to them which, however,
aroused the ire of the disciples of John
Wesley, who claimed some share in the dis
tribution of the spoils. But who ever heard
of a Catholic receiving a1navy chaplaincy 7
These facts were recalled to our mind in
q letter to the Boston Pilot, by q correspon-
dent written from Fort Smith, NJ. T., COM
planning of the frequent assertions:
Tho want Of Catholic chaplains. have not
the records to rafer, to hero, but believe there
is about one hundred chaplains now commits
tbs eae
tw0-thirds, 1t beast, are Catholics, or the chill
drcn Of, Catholics. At this post We hsyes no
chaplain; sbut can assnre you it would Please
ON the morsle Of the men that would soon stop
desertion, raise tho soldier in the scale Of mo
,ra1ity, improve him intellectually, and work q
wonderful change for good .str-.
We are in constant Warfare with tho indian !;
men are being wounded and killed. One reason
That induced me to write these few lnes to
my own eye recently.
4 soldier of the 9th infantry was badly
wounded, and wa. brought into the hospital;
he was . brave fellow, and ssknew that he
must die He whispered: go, Sergeant! .
love of the old religion comes over me now
Pd give all the world to see Father Murphy, of
Chicago, before de-" -
: Our constitution, that which the soldier is
bound to give his life for whenever necessary,
does not discriminate in favor of, or against any
particular religion or sect. trust some bishop
will take the matter in hand. ----.--
conscientiously believe that Catholic cler-
gyInan would soon acquire an influence with
the Indians, if stationed in this country, that
would be of lasting benefit to the government.
IT'S true, with my practical ideas of the sava-
iges especially the Northern Sioux, do not
think it possible to Christanize, or even civilze
the present generation, but their children, If
allowed to live, must exist in a different state,
Give us all fair play; let the Catholic priest
hood have access to the army, and let them
have their proportion of the appointments of
: am not q Catholic; but have seen the
priests of that church go to the dying soldier
when pestilence was rampant, and the regular
post chaplain ehrunk from the duty. During
tho late war, who done more to soothe the sick
and wounded soldier than the Sisters of Char
ity! God bless them; if there is heaven, such
deeds must surely lead to it.
The words of the old soldier is ringing in my
cara. 1t sounds in the ripping waters of the
Big Horn river, in the thunder that echoes in
the -, in the rustling of the cottonwood
trecs-in the balmy breeze that comes from the
mountains fancy the strange birds that fly
over the fort repeat, A love Of the old religion
comes over me now" --5
Army officers, and commissioners to the
Indians, have frequently referred to the in
fuence exercised by Catholic missionaries
over the Wild children of the forest, and in
their reports to the department have ac
knowledged, in pointed terms, the aid de-
rived from this source. In particular to
Father dc smedt, have the warmest thanks
of officers commanding on the frontiers been
rendered for his important services.
ORIGIN OF CoIN-It was in the reign of
Servius Tullius, $50 years before Christ,
that the Romans first coined money, using
copper for that purpose. At one period of
history cattle appears to have been the sole
q