The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-07-05
Georgia Liberality.


q Bishop Gross under circumstances tina
e were extremely creditable to the non Cath
8 olics of Georgia. Their liberality in bot
sympathy and money was as conspicuou
on this occasion as in Augusta, where th,
Jesuits recently established house o
d their Order. The Jesuit Fathers, wht
l. left this city for that purnose, fount
Themselves quite at home and warmly
, welcomed among men who knew nothing
of them personally and had been educated
to the bitterest prejudices against their re-
} ligion.
The noble Empire State of the South has
for many years been distinguished for its
enterprise and energy. These qualities
have been coupled with broad, expansive
manner of viewing practical question: 6
presented to its citizens. They did not
hesitate to grapple with the problems of
factories and railroads; they rose up
through the load of calamities left upon
them by the war and shook them off
bravely; they have wisely controlled their
negro element and proftably employed it.
And it is plain that their clearness of
vision is not limited to money matters and
politics. They are equally alive to the
value of good education, and quite willing
to profit by excellence of any kind, no
matter whence it comes. 1t is in this
spirit that they receive that Order so
calumniated, yet SO celebrated as BODY of
teachers and missionaries, the Jesuits.
The Georgians believe that few of their
colleges would give an impetus to the
cause of sound education, and, very pro-
baby, contribute to augment the popula-
ton and develop the wealth of the State
ltappears, however, that there is residing
IN that commonwealth an individual who
forms an exception to this general charac-
ter. He has written letter to the Macon
Telegraph and Messenger, which we find in
its issue of the 18th ult., strongly depreca.
ting tho hearty, liberal tone in which that
paper, as the organ of an heightened public
sentiment, had spoken Of fair in behalf
of the new "Pio Mono" College of Bishop
Gross. This party signed himself :" Pro-
testant,' and we have strong Impression
that he is not only Protestant" but
preacher. Not only so, but We are willing
to bet little Confederate money which we
have left, that he is an i'm portation from
farther North, and is no Georgian at all.
This astute man berates the Catholic
church severely; and for whatf For its
religious higotry. And how can religious
bigotry go farther than to be intolerant of
its opponents on a common field Our
" "Protestant" is afraid the Catholics will
be bigoted against him, and therefore he is
bigoted against them in advance. Now for
a man so strongly opposed to bigotry, does
1t not look little inconsistent that he
should oppose it with bigotry of bis own.
But he has specific charges to make. The
fire companies and military companies were
out for the ceremonies of laying the corner
stone of the college, with bands of music,
too, and all of it on the Sabbath. :,
Though the Sabbath is Saturday we doubt
not that the writer meant Sunday, and he
is greatly alarmed lest the loose morals of
France ard Italy creep in through that
opening. Now as God himself has never
forbidden the parading of fire and military
companies on Sunday, and as it is forbid
den by the blue Laws" only, which are
not binding even on Protestants in the
latitude of Georgia, we think TIE party's
alarm is premature.
We are really indebted to that writer
for one admission, however, that must be
received as unwilling, and perfectly trust
worthy, evidence. He says:
This Romanism that has suddenly taken
deep root, and is so vigorously growing in your
beautiful city etc.
No doubt, if the witness could open his
eyes wide enough to see the truth general
ly, he would give the same evidence about
many other places.
Contributions for the Relief of Thos Herman and
Wife of Lougford, Ireland.
,a W. leSSs9 $Jj 90
J. ONeil, :-' ' M mn |