The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-02
NUMBER 9.
The Pope's Advice to the Young Men of
America.

The Pope's ADVICE e , the Young Men Of
Under the aboye heading we published
III our last issue response Of his Holiness
to the address of the Xavier Alumni Sodal-
ity of New York. This has called forth
comments from the secular press, speci-
men Of which is subjoined substantially.
II is something new to have Pope dis
course on the basis of American political
institutions, and seems to afford another
confirmation Of the old adage-that. ex-
tremes meet-to have the views of tho
visible head of the most conservative of
religions coincide essentially with those
put forth by the most advanced men of tho
liberal and scientist schools. We say es-
sentially, because, while his Holiness makes
religion prime condition Of healthiness in
our political state, that 10 really saying that
something else than virtue inherent i'm
any political institutions themselves is me-
cessary; and this latter 10 just the liberal
view.. The most progressive mea Of this
schoollook for mo- remedy of the public
evils now affecting the American common
wealth in any mere change of parties, or
enactment, modification, or repeal of laws,
but only in clearer and higher moral tome.
Thpsthe best liberal minds do not fall into
the vulgar communist error of forcing an
equal distribution of property by means of
penal laws but it is maintained that If the
rich could be brought to consider them
selves as trustees for the poor, and the
strong as national guardians of the weak,
but few of the ills now racking the body
polite could long endure. That something
outside of mere party (Which we may call.
inchoate law, each party when successful
in gaining power manifesting itself by a
code of statutes) is necessary for the health
of State, is therefore q point on which
both the liberals on one side and the Pope
agree. His Holiness in his letter says:
What especially, beloved children, gives us
o great esteem for your virtue and gains our
special praise is your eloquent declaration that
you and all the members of your Sodaiity place
your honor and glory in upholding and pre-
justice which you have received by inherit
ance. This noble resolution, beloved children,
keep faithfully and steadfastly; for since the
every form of government, but especially in
that which exists among you, are to be based
evidently on these principles, you know that
your country depend upon the same, and that
no others deserve better of it than they who
strive TO presere and promote reverently the
love Of justice, pure morality aud religion.
The declaration here made that general
diffusion of the main principles of right 10
more impeIatively required in republic
than under any other form of government,
is one with which we have long been fami
liar. 1t has passed almost into an axiom
among us and the only wonder in finding
it in this letter is that Pope, who, it has
been supposed, should necessarily be Of an
antagonistic opinion, should entertain the
same view. In other governments csp1itde
corps, noblesse oblige, and other sentiments
for which we have no names, since our in
stitutions do not inculcate, or perhaps even
permit their existence, form the balance
! wheel; but in the United States there il
| no check upon popular injustice or immor-
ality except public opinion, which is, after
all, only the popular thought. To educate
the popular thought is, therefore, to elevate
the moral tone of the publicj and ho'0 to
educate, che main difference between the
men of che protopLasm and the man of the
Papacy. The liberals propose various
theories - Pro NoNo, the Old-fashioned
practices of religion and justices. Oh, yes!
the Pope "has been supposed to be
Of antagonistic opinions, but theimmortal
principles in the Encyclical and Syllabus,
underlie the structure of all governments
whether monarchical or republican.