The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-05-26

This, of course, is too high an estimate
Unfortunately great many of the de-
scendants of Catholic immigrants are not
brought up in the faith. Protestant asso-
ciations, mixed marriages, the want of
priests and churches in large part of our
territory, the general deficiency of schools,
the influence of an overpoweriug Protest.
ant tone in society, politics and literature,
and the inadequacy of the Catholic press
thus far to meet the intellectual needs of
the day, have robbed US Of many of the
descendants OF the Catholic settlers-how
many it is impossible to say. On the other
hand, it must be remembered that the
figures we have given refer only to immi-
grants and single generation Of their de-
scendants: Irish and German Catholics,
however, have been pouring into the coun-
try ever since the revolution, and their de-
scendants in the second, third, and later
generations must be counted by hundreds
of thousands. Then we have the offspring
of the original Catholic settlers of Mary
land and of the French posts along the Mis-
of Mexico, and the Spanish Catholics along
the Pacific coast; and, finally, we have
thousands of converts, whose number is
increasing in constantly growing ratio.
All these elements must far outweigh tue
loss by neglect and perversion.
Thens the movement to extend Catholi-
cism among the colored people of the SoutL,
has occasioned no little alarm in the Pro-
testant sects. 1t was thoroughly discussed
at the General Council of Baltimore six
years ago, and especially attracted, as our
readers know, the Christian zeal of the late
Archbishop Spalding. The English Church
has como to our aid by sending US mission
aries for this special work, and there is
every reason to believe that in this long
neglected field, now open to US by the abo
lition of slavery, we shall reap an abundant
harvest. Everybody perceives that for a
long time to come, if not permanently, the
colored people will hold preponderance
AS they advance in education and material
welfare, their influence will enormously.
increase. In many districts they are evil
IDENTIFY destined to be the ruling race, for
they are improving in culture, and can no
longer be overlooked by the social or reli-
gious philosopher. Whether they shall be
Catholic or Protestant 10 a momentous
question, not only to their own souls, but
to the county s.. ,
But not only is the formidable number OF
the Catholics of the United States q subject
of increasing anxiety to the sects, their
attitude towards political parties presents
some new and perplexing problems. Here
tofore they have exerted no epecial infiu-
ence as Catholics upon political affairs. AS
a general rule, at least in large cities, an
Immense majority of them have adhered to
the Democratic organization, but without
giving the slightest Catholic tendency to
Democratic principles and objects, They
have been swallowed up and lost in the
party rather than Incorporated with it;
they have given it votes, and got little or
nothing in return. Why this has been so
we need not now inquire for it has become
evident that general reconstruction of
parties is close at hand.
The next Presidents election will not he
SO much contest of principles as trial OF
strength between the personal adherents OF
the rival nominees; and before the end of
another four years We may expect on both
sides a new declaration OF political faith, a
new setting up; Of standards, a new m lister
ing pr opposing camps, SO that the fight
heteafter shall be not for q candidate, but a
eause. Republicans and Democrats, allie
are looking for new departure, and we
cannot help being interested in what the
new symbols Of party orthodoxy are to be.
or course, as a religious body, our duty
Is now, as it always has been, TO keep afoof
from paEtisanehip. We have observed this
duty reiigiously in the past; We shall OBJ
serve it no less strictly hereafter. But
Protestants do not comprehend our posi-
ton In the matter, and they are watching
eagerly for Indications of the new alliance
which they take 1t for granted we must
contemplate. More than siIis, certain. Sec
tons OF them are acting apen the assuurp-
ten that We Epuet ratufall rank ourselves
90 thor poiItteai epe ples, aBasare ntFfyinrs
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