The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-02
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eSEa0 niagara ana worm euc0 are the
signs which keep ne in mind hers--if such
sorbiag thought occupies the mind from
morning to Right-of the fearful struggle
going on elsewhere in France. Beyond
these rsigns, all the strife here IL one of
wrestling in prayer. Masses and Benedic-
tions, Novenas and public professions, and
how much OF fervent communions Heaven
alone Knows! .Apropos Of the Mobiles, as
a rule hereab0uts they are countrymen,
rough and uncouth enough, but stalwart
and Injured to fatigue, and rapidly getting
into soldierly shape by dins of incessant
drill; and above all, sober, steady, and
generally, really and fundamentally re-
ligions. At the early Masses they throng
the church, and may be seen telling their
beads about the altar of Our Lady, for
whom such remarkable devotion exists in
this part of France. AS to the wounded, 1
may be able on another occasion to give
you some particulars about them. The
anxiety of every class to aid and assist
them in every way, each according to their
power, from the humble packet of lint, to
the disposal of suites of apartments in the
homes of the rich, is admirable. The
COmte de Chambord has, in a few words,
as generous as they are delicately express
ed, just placed the splendid chateau from
which he takes his title at the disposal of
the wounded, as the hottest of duties, and
in memory of happier times, when France
gave Chambord to him. AS was sure to be
the case, the French clergy are conspicuous
for their heroic and unselfish charity in the
present position of affairs. Every cure or
vicaire who can possibly be spared is vol
unteering for the ambulances or the hospi
tails. The Episcopacy at their head only
regret that their position prevents them
from sharing in the glorious work, but give
up their seminaries and their palaces for
hospitals, and in some cases claim the priv
ilege of acting as chaplains to the wounded
| as long as they remain beneath their roof
No picture of this war will hereafter be
more striking than that of the hundred
priests who sac au- dos traversed Paris the
other day for the seat of war as soldiers of
Christ, risking indeed their own lives, but
for the safety of souls. The venerable Su-
perior of the Christian Brothers, Brother
Philippe, has put the whole of his vast
community, and all his numerous houses,
! at the service of the Minister of War. So
have the Capuchin Fathers of Toulouse,
whilst Jesuits and RedemptOrlsts and Do
minicans strive with piOus rivalry in the
heroic toll. We should be sorry to make
comparisons in such a solemn matter; nor
indeed should we have any but a parallel
of devotion and charity to depict of the
conduct of the clergy, secular and regular,
who are on the Prussian side, labOring
amidst the, alas! still heroic fields of death
and suffering; but we give the above items
of information as proof to those who may
doubt it; and there are, we are afraid, such;
that France is Catholic, Catholic to hearts
core, and that the "holy fire." smothered
though it may have been under Imperial
rule, entangled in weak concessions to
revolution and implety, is still burning,
and will show steady light in Gods good
time-God's "chosen daughter," as Marie
Lataste heard the Divine voice express
itself of France. That a bitter hour of
trial is in store for this country, who can
doubt Before these lines are in print,
perhaps, the direct calamity may have be-
fallen her brilliant but wicked capital {!
But of the ultimate revival and rehabilita-
excenf indeed sgt oph1SS b. oRf 70
facts or deafened by prejudice. Hear the
vo;ce of Heaven speaking through its hum
ble servant: 80, France! France! how
skilful thou art to lrritate, ana YET 70 cal'n
the Justice of God. If thy crime draw down
mon thee the chastisement of Heaven, thy
virtue of charity cries to heaven for mercy
| and nity. O., iord!- 1t shall be given to
thee, and which thou shalt recognize with
ont fear of being deceived; but thou shalt
recognize also the judgments OF my com
passion and of my mercy if thou crlest.
Praise and thanksgiving, love and graft
tude to God for ever aud to all ages unto
eternity ~ Such are the sublime words OF
warning and consolation which that SER
want of God whose name we nave mem
toned above, Marie Lataste, declares TO
have been spoken to her in ystery ana
awe: and on these, and our knowledge OF
the faith, and charity existing in France,
we base our firm conviction OF the ultimate
result of the war. How singularly the fact
of France being the representative OF
CathoIicity, as Prussia is OF Professionalism,
i'm this struggle is established by thous-
and curious tokens and incidents. Inc ar
dent, and we may say the unscrEpuious
partizanship of the majority OF EhSilsh
| protestant newspapers, who have been the
first to regard the first success OF russia
as Guarantees for the triumph OF the sio-
rioEs principles of " the Reformation over
the "bllnd prejudices" and ':supersutlons
| al Catholicity, is one striking feature. Inc
no less ardent sympathy OF the Democrats
of Europe, vying with the frussiaus o'
Paris" those traitors to their country VINO
did not hesitate to massacre inc Suaius 'o
La Villette the other day, and would 90 as
mich to-morrow, were they not held down
by the strong grip of the Cathollc Irocnu;
showing itself also, i'll the only-hai1 us
nuised sympathy of the French Protes'an,s
| in the south and east of France, VINO moe
their sympathies for the invader by sucil
prandil oauent phrases as, " lhls war Is
the signal for the emancipation OF thought,
| and to come to the lowest Development vi
anti Catholic spite, the vulgar spouting OF
Irish Orangemen, condemnatory OF france
AID extolling Prussia, as at Ennlsklllen the
other day, all points enc way. VI course
in times like these, when mems passions
are dashed into rage, we must exPecG gross
exa operations, if not absolute iaisehoous,
to pass from side to side, and to be echoed
by the neutral European press greedy OF
news. and not always as scrupulous or at
| Loot as careful as it should be in avoiding