Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-09-06
The GufbOrd Case.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN OF THE
TROUBLES IN MONTREAL, FROM A CATH
oLIC POINT OF VIEW.
EtH0r S'dT: The history of the Guibord
case, which Is now the cause of so much ex-
element in Canada, may not be uninterest
ing to your readers. The case is as fol lows:
There was established some years ago, in the
city OF Montreal, a literary aud social club
named the !nSGW Culasiea. This orgauiza-
llon was composed of the elite of the French
Canaclan youth. and received the approba-
tOn OF the good citizens and the clergy
some Time after its organization the CON
sciences OF several of the members were
alarm Il at The ''liberal' and infidel tenden-
cies h,cb certain of their colleagues they
sad, were imparting TO the character of the
Institute. III must be remembered, in this
connection, that the French Canadians are
ultramOntaneS, that is TO say, consistent
Catholics" French Canada is France with
out the year '93 accented, as has been truly
said by one Of our own writers. The infidel
tendencies e0grafted on the association be-
came especially marked in the character OF
The DOCKS placed in the library and on ore
occasion motion was made TO appoint a
committee TO examine and report as to
whether the library contained works against
faith and morals. This was not even re-
spectfully considered, and the society by a
large majority vote rejected the motion, and
thus supported the element OF free thinkers
in the discussion. The minority, therefore,
withdrew. This became the exciting topic
OF the hour; The Catholics approved the con-
duct of the L'inOTity. the handful of Cana
dian infidels and the ultra Protestants up
held the views of the majority.
Tie Catholic bishop of Montreal had a cat
alOgue CT the institute examined, and on the
finding of the committee, be condemned the
association as inimical to the faith and
morals OF the youth OF his flock, and ordered
all CathOli cs who respected the teaching 90
the Church, and desired to live and die in its
Bosom TO sever t'eir connection with the
condemned institute.
MANY obeyed the voice of their pastor,
others would not hear; among the latter
number was an individual named Guibord.
TIE Catholics formed new association,
LIastitJH CdHGCiiep- Francois; the free-think-
Ca continued LIn9i'Id CtnG,iiel having re-
ceived accessons To their ranks from among
the free-thinking people among the French,
SWISS, aud other natiOnalities domiciled in
the city.
GuiboId died, and was refused Christian
burial in the Catholic cemetery. His wife
showed his deed 10 a lot in the cemetery. To
this the cure OF NOtre Dame objected that the
deceased could personally receive no benefits
nom the contract, it being specified in the
Geed THAT none but persons dying in the
bosom of The Church could be inferred in the
lot Guibord was therefore buried in the
English cemetery.
After the death Of Guibord's widow. the
InSilim ConIotieh, which had increased in inn
portance as an infidel institution, determined
to bring on a conflict between the Church
and the state, and reOpened the case. insist
Ing upon the Illumination of Guibord in the
Catholic cemetery. The cure again refused;
he was brought before all the tribu-
nails of Canada, and more recently
ivy NOuntl OI EIeldnl uecIU-
ell in favor of the institute, and ordered
the cure. RousselOt, to give Guibord Chris
tan burial, according to the rites and uSages
OF the Catholic church. The cure refuses as
understand il, list, because the giving OF
Christian burial is religious function, and
cannot be ordered by the state; 2d, to do o
would violate the laws of his diocese and tie
dictates OF his OTn conscience; Sd, the treaty
between France and England, by which the
conquest OF Canada was confirmed, guaran-
tees the liberty of the Catholic church; 4th,
the DEGREES of the privy council are tyran-
meal and oppressive, and therefore null and
void
1t will be observed. by the kilograms Just
published, that the Protestants and Orange
men have eSpOused the cause of the free
thinkers in the conflict. This is grave step
taken by them. The French Canadians are
mole than a million strong in Canada and
lumber six hundred thousand in the United
states, ard ii wOU III he a difficult matter to
rush them out The history of the Patriot
ar OF 1851 is there to show that they are
Je"Iods OF their rights, and will fight for
dem If necessary. II the Queens officers
WI disregard the rights OF the people, Eng
laad WI be the loser and the United States
tne gamer by the procession OF events.
AIRASI