The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-22
MASS MEETING OF CATHOLICS.
iwenty-Seventh Anniversary of the
Election of Pope Plus TX.

Last Monday evening, Notwithstanding tn
showers of rain which fell ut intervals tn,
large hall of st. Alphonsns, capable of SEATING
iooo persons, was crowded with an audienc.
winch, Tor intelligence and worth, would com
| pare most favorably with any we have evcl
seen. The occasion which brought SO many o.
our leading Catholic citizens together was the
same as that for which the grand demonstra
zion Two years ago was given. Then twenty.
hive thousand men and youths marched in pro
cession through our streets to celebrate the
twenty-ifth anniversary of Liberalization OF
Pope Plus IX.; now, q smaller number. but a
number in which was represented most of the
energy, zeal and piety of our population, NEE,
to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the same
great Pontiff
The stage was elegantly decorated with ever
greens, banners and notices large and ex
cellent likeness of the Holy Father occupyipe
prominent place to its rear The likeness
was surrounded with mcttces appronriate to
the occasion,-immediately underneath the
whole being large statue of the Blessed yir-
gin surrounded with ma turaI flowers. His Grace
the Most Rev. Archbishop, abou. twenty-five
OF the Kew. Clergy, the members of the Pro
vincial and Diocesan Councils of the Militant
the stage. Mr.. D. Flanery, President of
Tue section OF st. Alphonsus, called tho meet
ing to order, and made way for His Grace.
archbishop Perche, who, in English. explained
the OBJECT OF the meeting; after which, with
mat nuency OF speech for which he is remark
able, he delivered touching eulogy on the
character Of the Pope.
lie said Pope Plus TX. was the greatest man
of our age and of many preceding ages He is
lighting for the independence of conscience
against infdelity; the Catholic Church pro-
claims the right of conscience. 1t is a remark
able feature in the history and character of
Plus IN. that, peculiarly endowed with meek.
ness, sweetness and patience, he has spent his
long Papal reign in fighting for Almighty God
his patience, meekness and charity arc pipgu-
larry combined with strength courage and
confidence. He has suffered and done more
for the Church than any of his PREDECESSORS
lie Is the man of God, the steady defender of
religious truth, right, justice and conscience
AID Catholics must therefore cling to him.
ms anniversary naturally gives rise to
of love and reverence to the
fontin by all Catholics, who should pray to
'ne Almighty to preserve him for many years.
me Archbishop laid special emphasis on the
fraternity and solidarity of Catholics through
out the world, which made tEem feel all alike
the injustice of the prosecutions Of their breth-
rem IN Germany, Switzerland and Italy, and
made 1T their duty to constantly and energeti-
cally protest against them.
The Archbishop narrated an interview 10
mad with the Pope three years ago, in which
HIS holiness said he did not zee why he should
not hold the Papal chair as long as Peter did
for thirty-three years. His Grace expressed an
earnest hope that this might be accomplished,
to which the audience responded by vigorous
applause Plus sees already" said the Arch
bishop, the downfall of Lis enemy; may he
live to see the closing scenes of the Great
Council of the Vatican
At the conclusion of the Archbishop's adj
dress, Dir. Flanery introduced the Hen. Tbos.
J. semmes, the orator of the evening.
HON. THos. J. sEMMEs' SPEECH.
Mr.. ssmmes, opening his address, ex. !
claimed:
Plus TX! What ideas are suggested bv that
name' not only to the Catholic mind bpt TO /!
every enlightened mind of the apeT lie com, |
pared the present Pontiff with historic aeon. !
raSy, with all the great POpes Who have pre- |
oes' 9ualltles' AS man, priest, a Pope and |
an administrator of his temporal domain. nc
was unequaied 10y any of them and he seema |
70 nave been selected by Providence in this |
century OF political, social and religions tnr- |
mon, expressly TO be set mp as an example |
- tho greatest Pope tbat-sTs.- cd, aud the |