The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY. DECEMBER 20, 1862
JFor tho Morning Star and Catholic MessenRerl
CHRIsTIAN CHIvALRY.

ages the facts relating to the origin ana rse OF
student of history is apt to recoil with despond-
ency. The romantic tenor of medieval history
bewildefs his Imagination, and, lost in . maze
fancy from reality. The heroic achievements,
the implicit obedience and fidelity, the self
sacrifice of the knights of those times, present
panegyrics would grace the pages of novel
better than those of history. The reign of
Charlemagne, however-that reign SO pregnant
have witnessed the rise of chivalry, as it sprung
from the bosom of feudalism. The armed
bands of tenants, which every petty feudal
despot had under his command, by their inter-
course with the aristocracy Of the land, soon
imbibed those principles of justice and liberal
ity which in after years were to be found con-
centrated in such men as Layellette and Simon
de Montfort. Chivalry, from military organ
ization, soon became an institution that num-
bered within its folds the most powerful Eu-
ropean potentates. To be a knight was then q
password among the nations of the world and
both the young and the aged, the rich and the
poor, strove to grasp that honor which was to
elevate them among their fellow citizens, and
give them voice in the councils OF the nation
Loyalty, courtesy and justice were required as
characteristics of the aspirants to the belt and
spurs, and thus chivalry became an incentive
ciples of morality, it daily waxed stronger.
Each succeeding age witnessed it's sphere of
action and predominance extending itself far
Their and farther, until finally it eliminated in
that zenith of power which it reached at the end
of the twelfth and the beginning of the thir-
teenth century. Then the true spirit Of Chris
tian chivalry may be found animating the
crowned heads OF Europe. Mon Diea, Ma
Dame, ct M0n Droit, !" became the war cry of the
knight, and we find him always ready to fly to
the protection OF to avenge the insults offered
to either. -r ..rz
What greater and moro convincing proof of
the fidelity of the Christian knight to his God
can history afford than the blnie spectacle of
the Crusading host leaving their homes and
the genial chimes of their country, to rescue
from the Intidel the sepulchre of their Re-
deemer3 Every one is familiar with the cause
Of this sudden Outburst of patriotism par er-
ceHtnce. Hordes of Mahomedans had invaded
nearly the xAele- of Christendom, and the EN-
peror Alexis had been the first to witness the
effects OF this devastating torrent. From his
royal residence at Constantinople he saw the
faircst portions of his realm continually ex-
posed to the rapacity of the heather, and even
beheld his most opulent cities fall one by one
under theyoke of the Crescent. Reduced to
such an extremity, he saw no alternative left
but in an appeal to the Latin princes, who i'm
mediately responded to the call of their Grecian
brethren, and few months after the Mahome-
dan beheld the shores of the Bosphorus spot
ted with numerous encampments, over which
hoated the pennons of the bravest champions
of Christianity There were assembled the
Duke of Normandy, the Count ct Toulouse, the
Earl of Flanders, and the far-famed Godfrey of
Bouillon, whose virtue and valor afterwards ele-
waited him to the throne of Jerusalem. The stu
dent of history is familiar with the exploits of
the Crusading army..He may even, ON reading
feel within himself that enthusiastic thrill
which shot through Christendom at the news of
the recovery of the holy sepulchre, and exclaim
with the Christian knight, truly it was the
will of God" But, unRappily for the good of
humanity and the honor of Christian chivalry,
animosity and discussions working mis-
chief in the ranks of an army against which;
a few years before, the Saracen had dashed
himself in vain. A hundred and eighty-six
years after its capture by Godfrey, the Holy
City fell again under the Mahomedan rule, and
IF lar, aloy,,s thnl Last off
short but glorious line of kings hurled from
his throne by the hand of his inveterate enemy.
Laying aside the study of past centuries, let
us now retrace our steps to this our enllghten
age, and see what has been its progress i'll the
true spirit of Christian chivalry. Though not
belonging to that class whom the good poet
Horace accuses of "being the panegyrists OF
former ages and the censurers of their juniors,
still, to be impartial, we must confess that un'
happily we want that spirit which stirred the
patriotic feelings of q Richard and q Louis
The materialistic tendencies of the age have
exercised a baneful influence over the souls OF
our modern heroes, and war Is now wageo
merely for the gilded honors that success show
ers upon the victor.
On CHANGING, however, over the history of the
last one hundred and fifty years, we sometimes
meet personages standing among their fellow
citizens like oasis in the Sahara. Men who, by
the widespread influence they exercised ovel
their fellow beings, by the respect paid to thei
words, and the power of their example, drew
mp to themselves, it were, the feelings o.
society, and displayed those qualities that dis
tinguished the palmiest days of Christian chiv
airy. Kosciuslso struggling for the independ
ence of his country, " pro arts ct focis" is tru
type of the modern chevalier In that strug
gle of despair against vengeance
when leagued oppression poured to Northern wars
Her whiskered Papdours and her force Husssrs,
what deeds of prowess unrecorded died, and II
what bold relief does not the name of tn
Polish hero stand when inscribed on the sam
page with that of the Russian general. "Su
NARROW" says German historian, - is tn
name of one, who, though posterity shall no
cease to admire his bravery and military skill
must be associated with those of Attill
and Tamerlane."
In still later times and in the SUMMER cline
of the land of mirth and revelry, among tina
brilliant constellation of martial men who sue
ceeded in elevating the Empire of France to III
equal footing~yith that of the Caesars, Chris
tophe louis Leon de LamOriciere. the hero O