The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-30
Morally Responsible.

our own affairs in America. 1t would np-
pear that decided preponderance of the
Partisan population, certainly in point OF
intelligence and influence, and probably in
numbers also, is opposed to the revolution
which now reigns in that city. Over one
hundred thousand people have signifed
their dissent by actually leaving the place,
and vast body of citizens, unable to get
away, present the passive resistance OF
complete indifference. They have no sym
pathy with the mob they close their win
dows, shut up their shops, and desert the
streets. In every conceivable way, except
by open resistance or such expressions OF
opinion as would subject them to mob
violence, they show their opposition to the
movement.
But this sentiment of even large ma
iority of its population cannot save Paris
sfrom bombardment, and bombardment may
mean the ruin of large portions of the city
and a fearful slaughter among its citizens.
This looks like rather stern judgment
upon those who are innocent. Why should
they be made to suffer equally with the
guilty, and all be involved in the same fate
togetherf The answer is because they act
the part of towards, and cowardice is
sin. The Indifference and timidity of the
good in permitting q few evil-miuded per-
sons to control public affairs; is wrong
we'll worthy of condign punishment. 1t is
not exactly participating in the crime, but
it is the next thing to it, that is, permitting
and thereby being accessory to it. Ii the
railroad employees of Paris, the porters,
the cabmen, the honest laborers and the
shOpkeepers permit themselves to be domi.
neered over by the canaille and inundated
by d mob much inferior in numbers to
themselves, if they timidly yield before
the terrorism of lawless spirits, and will
not even try to combine for the assertion
of their rights, one can hardly pity them
when death and destruction sweep off their
conscripted ranks. If property-holders
and gentry speak with bated breath, and
will not even look around them to see if
! resistance can be organized but basely per-
nit outlaws like Rochefort to inaugurate
civil war in France; if by their supine-
ness they enable such men to WELD the
power of their wealth in o most hurtful
ment, one can feel no compassion in seeing
their property falling to ruin under the
shells of powerful batteries. Their coward
ice has made them virtually traitors like
those whom it makes them assist.
Indeed, the humiliation of France in it's
recent war may be traced to similar causes
France was undoubtedly the principal seal
of piety, and the main bufwark of the
Church. The missions of the world were
filed with her sons and sustained with hel
money. Catholic literature made use o
the French as its native Language, and the
churches of the land, both rural and urban
gave visible and unmistakable proof o
general faith and vital piety. But not
outstanding the power of Catholicity ant
its perfect ability to sway the councils O
the country in behalf of faith and morals
the Catholic element tamely submitted t
be ruled by a email faction of wickedness
ambition and craft. The secret societ
) and the school of infdelity ruled the legis
lation and the diplomacy of an intensel
3 Catholic country, while Catholic sentimer
submitted to the usurpation, and contente
lCSeI Will COuIIOlllu6 thC oiI"A oaN VA
confessional.
o In the meantime the head infidel, Napt
i leon, and his Freemason family, interfere
4 with the administration of diocesan affair
d made crefty war upon the Pope, and set
J. hagitious example of public morals. tt
whole material wealth and power of tt
nation, and nearly all of it in Cathol
r hands, was controlled in favor of impiet
10 sacrilege and shameless immortality. We
TO not French Catholics responsible for til
or abuse of power--their own poweri D
es they not initiate Pontius PLATE in permi
IN ting it while pretending to wash their ham
" of it7 In the present phase of society al
politics in this world, every man is respO
ID sible for the proper use of his vote, if
has one, or, at any rate, of his infuenc
re- 1t will not do for the decent portion of
We community to raise their hands in pic
St. horror at the evil of the age, and aband
K; the field to the evil spirits. They mt