The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-16
The Mission Of the Catholic Press.

The late Archbishop Spalding was O devoted
friend to the Catholic press, aud strived to en-
courage and strengthen it Everywhere in the
United States. His opinion of its mission and
influence may be gathered from the following,
taken from the op ening editorial article of the
Catholic Adrocate, which he was the main in
ssrument in establishing in Louisville, KY,
when be was the Bishop Of that diocese. The
lamented prelate wrote thus:
The fact that Catholics are n vigorous and
energetic body cannot be denied. Their con-
tinned action, like that of their fathers in the
faith, derives q new stimulus from misfortune
and oppression. 1t must ultimately be produo.
tive OF much good or of much evil. The spirit
which animates them il powerful, and, it
would seem, from the history of eighteen GEN.
turtles, uncomfortable. Its tendency is highly
useful, or dangerous in the extreme. If they
are what they are said to be, let them be DOOM
ed to disgrace and rhin, their fate will be Just
If they are honest and slandered men, it liz the
duty of the liberal and intelligent portion Of
their fellow citizens TO support and shield them
against sectarian bigotry.
The verdict of public opinion should never
De gwen but after patient and diguified hear
ing of the accused. Hence, on the part of the
public, the duty of listening to their vindica-
zion, and examining into the merits of their
cause ; and, on the part of the Catholics, the
still more sacred obligation of appearing at
the bar OF their country. and stating their
principles, their belief, their practice as Chris
tians and AS citizans. In some cases not to
confnte is to confess the charges. Silence
would be in these circumstances treachery to
themselves, virtual and cowardly abandon
ment of their rights free born Americans,
and even a sort of apostacy from the religion
which they profess.
The language of their actions has hitherto
been, 1t is true, clear and strong. Upon all oc-
casions they have proved themselves peaceful,
patriotic and brave; proaigal alike of their
blood and of their intellectual resources for
the benefit of all. In the hour of danger thew
have fought under the banner of their country
In the time of peace, they have devoted their
energies to the education of her youth that
vital part of the republican system. But the
religious excitement, or hypocrisy of design
1ng men, heeds not or misconStrucs that lam
guage, SO intelligfble, We hope, to the majority
OF our fellow citizens. 1t is lost upon those
men in whose breast q holy zeal, rs they call
1t, for the cause of Christianity and the well
fare of their country has not left even faint
Vestige of the true American spirit. The love
OF God and mankind is, in these men, incem-
patible with sense AMI exercise of liberation
and Justice. They FORM we know, minority;
but If they are comparatively few, they are
Vigilant, active, untiring. They penetrate and
act everywhere. In the Legislative hall and in
the humblest cabin; in the pulpit and during
Fne conVlvlAl hour, or in the domestic CIRCLE
the voice of Islander is heard and soiemuly
proclaims or insidiously whispers, dark things
of the Catholics. Their institutions are
slandered, their tenets perverted, their attach
ment and fidelity TO their country denied, the
public Indignation and proscriptive measures
openly invoked against them and, did We not
know that We live i'll the nineteenth century
that We tread the American soil-that we
breathe the free air of a repnblic-that the
march of religious liberation is onward-we
might fear n return of those dark and bloody
times when the hend of persecution reared his
horrid head and appalled, the world. The
press watts on her mighty wings, and spreads
in every place, from Maine to Florida, con-
tempt and distrust for Catholic principles Co
thuic practices, Catholic institutions, and,
what is still more alarming, the persons of
Catholics. The journalist, the novel writer,
the essayist and the divine unite to bring
about this same end, and to crush tue devoted
Catholic.
In several parts of the Union, our religious
papers have done much TO oOuuteraot the evil,
But as the attack is, so the defence should be,
commensurate with our soil, Upon every point
stands an enemy, therefore from every point
,shOutd spring friend and protector.