The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-30
slegslpw Star and Catholic Messenger.
TIE EEYNoTE Str UCK.
CA RDINAL 3EccLosKEY TO THE CATHOLICS
OF NEW YORK.

(yew York Freeman's Journal Jan 22)
The Catholic Union of New York, Crane
in its idea, and, for @ long time past, NOR
ibund in fact, owing to its sleeping, ant
having nightmare, invited at large. the at
tendance Of leading Catholics of New Yorl
aud vicinity, to o meeting on the 18th inst
Tho attraction offered was that Cardina
McCloskey would be pFesent. and address
those attending. THE brought out I
brilliant assembisge. There was Q Sigh
attack of the old DIVISIONS of the night"-c
an edifice whose foundations were to bt
LAID on the southwest horn Of the mex
new moon, and to be built downwards by &
rainbow, yet to be bought, that would, ir
its lambept and firm girdle hold all the
priests, and all the laymen calling them
selves Catholics, in ons circle-no matter
how wide apart they may be, at this hour
Besides, after q few conferences with each
other, in dome holding come hundred
thoueand <srepreeentative Catholics," theek
would all compose the differences Of their
ideas and purposes, and run after the odoI
of tho ointment of some half dozen
little known bat, NO doubt, wonderful
leaders.
The Hon. John McKeon, az was every
way his right, as one of the oldest and most
distinguished Catholics, In this, his native
city, had some words of defiant indignation
against the attack made by President
Grant ON the Catholic population, which,
from the beginning Of the United States,
had always been Of the truest of citizens,
and the most self. sacrificing for their
country
But dc svsat of the evening was the ad =
dress Of Cardinal McCloskey. When be
rose 70 speak, the entire audience rose to
their feet. The w0rds of his minence are
rather to be pondered than reported, be-
cause no report can do Justice to the intense
thrill Of interest, Of affection, and Of readi-
ness to do that, by q kind of magnetism,
possessed the assembiage.
The Cardinal expressed his affsctionate
regards, and ,his earnest good wishes, for
the Catholic Union of New York. The
name of it had gone abroad, and it was
looked on. by Catholics of other countries,
as an efficient, "a it was q most respectable
boliy fit were asked, what has this New
York Catholic union done, although it has
not done all that IL has projected, yet, in
the very fact OF sending Addresses OF Obe
dience to the Holy Father, and of SYM
pathy with lPrelates under persecution, it
has discharged Christian and good work.
For, even In those lands 50 long Catholic,
but now subjected to a rule most hostile to
every thing Christian, as in Italy. the
faithful there found strength and en-
couragement in looking away of, to land
that had, for centuries, been prosecuted,
and become moro and more faithful as the
persecution became the fercer-IrelaRd
So, when there was a great Catholic Con-
gress at Florence, Catholics used the name
of the great Daniel O'Copnell az their pan
oply, and organized an association called
the mcconnell League" for the defence of
Catholic interests. The meaning of this
was, 70 be faithful Co the Catholic Church.
as Ireland had been. and persecution could
but brighten, and strengthen, their Catho-
lie armor.
The Church, the Cardiualwent on to say ,
is everywhere persecuted. II we are {"
have our part in suffering for the Name "t
We suffer for Christ. i have not failed to
think If the Catholic Church is persecu
ted in other, in nearly all other lands, are
we not to be counted worthy to suffer for
the name of Christ Can we, ought we,
TO consider it blessing, If Catholics, in all
those old countries once Catholic are per
secuted, and we are exempted He
did not cay this to lead any into fool
hardy seeking of persecution, but to forti-
~ the minds of the faithful, by recalling
10 their remem brance that, If persecution
falls on them, they ought not to be appalled,,
"a If some strange thing had happened. 1t
is the history, and the lot of Catholics to
be prosecuted. If it is to come on us, and
not in any way by our fault, blessed are
we. We can rejoice aad be exceedingly
glad. Let persecution come, if there be
those that desire TO persecute US. We
know, with assuredness, that the shame
will be theirs, and the advantage will, in
the end, be ours. This has always been
the way of Divine Providence.
But, the Cardinal added, with words
that were we'll understood, that, in face of
a set purpose to create civil copfsgra
ton, it was not the part of Catholics to
provide fuel, or feed the fire with faggots
gratis. This was what some evil minded
parties desired. There are those who are
very angry at Catholics taking their part
in political matters. The TRUTHS, it is less
that Catholics take part in political and
civil matters that excites anger, than
that they do not vote as they are wanted
to!
Abundant patience, is our proper strength
said the Cardinal, in face of the little fury
of persecution getting up against u.s.. 1t
will burst, very soon, and then the Church,
purified by sufferings during this little
time. will come out all the brighter. But
let US not, by any extravaganza, suffer as
evil doors. Let us rather, compassionate,
and pray for those that propose to abridge
MS of our rights, or to persecute US. OF the
If apch NAV ha snra ehay