The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-16

Liberal Philosophy.

PIE IN Europe whose ancestors were FRO
testants, now call themselves Philoso
piers. The word is a nice one. 1t carriel
a scholastic Significance. When you think
of philosopher it is rs a man who may
indeed, be skeptic, perhaps an Atheist,
but at any rate man of refined culture
of elevated aspirations, and of social amen
tiles amounting almost to philanthropy.
The, school of Philosophers, as sect,
claims to be an improvement on Christian
ity. Religion, according to them has had
it's day of utility, but it was always based
81 superstition, and the world in it's pro
gress has gone on beyond. it. Philosophy
is truth demonstrated, while Religion was
only claim of truth, taken for granted.
Of course, the developments of time and
investigation have rendered it's assump-
tions unnecessary and it must gradually,
in the light of progress, fade from sight
and give way to higher, broader, grander
civilization. According to this idea, be-
nevolence ought to be put on higher plat
form, if possible, than that appropriated to
it by Religion, because, it is easily demon
strated that benevolence is the bond of
civilization, as enmity is the foe of society
and the prime factor of barbarian.
Now, let US see if the Philosophers
have put themselves consistently on that
plane. This sect of Philosophers is very
abundant in Belgium, where the recent
election has somewhat tried the patience of
its followers. They, under the name of
Liberals, were quite handsomely beaten by
the Catholics. Every body has read of the
riots in which the vanquished party INDUCED
immediately after that election, and in
which they broke countless windows and
doors, knocked down women and children,
broke up religious professions, etc. All
this would look very queer in a party of
progress and, particularly, in Liberal
party of progress, did not a kindly feeling
suggest that, perhaps, all these doings were
an outbreak of the lower classes entirely at
variance with the teachin gs of their leaders.
But do the facts bear out this suggestion
Let us see what those teachers say. In an
article published last March in the Ami du
Peuplc, a paper of Liege, the author, Mr..
Glatigny, says:
Christianity should be blotted out ofthe civ
ilizsd world it has had its time, aud done its
that vengeance belongs to God alone. They
lie. Vengeance belongs to him who suffers, and
if you will it, We are the Instruments of VEN
geance.
Another paper of Liege, the Gazette,
speaking of churches, chapels, converts,
monasteries and semiuaries, says:
All these dens OF tbeocracy ought to be
swept away. We, the enemies of Catholicity,
ought not to permit one of these buildings TO
stand on our territory aud menace our phIloso-
PHO creed. Let us burn the embleme of the
Roman idolstry, fession ais, crosses, banners,
from top to bottom converts, monasteries, SEM
insriee, chapes, presbyteries ssnctuaries,
churches, and cathedrals. But the accom-
plishment of this work of justice should not
be left waiting until some epoch of revolution.
In the very day of the peoples victory, these
dens of fanaticism should be set on FIRE in
town and country-every where at the same
moment.
Here is Liberal Philosophy. Here is pro-
sress, benevolence, enlightenment. Here
the promised improvement on Christianity.
Destroy, destroy Barn, burn!
The Orgame de Nanrur says:
Let others who think themselves more clever
test that they do not wish to attack 1.-The holy
religion of our fathers" We say plainly with
VolLaire: 'Il faGt ecraser ri1fame" Away with
all these absurd and worn out beliefs.
Not to limit ourselves to the newspapers,
we quote from Mr.. Laurent, Liberal Pro,
fessor of the University of Client, in his
"Studies on the History of Humanity
Speaking of the fearful bloodshed of the
fret French Revelation, he ssys:
In reading the narrative of the exploits o
1893, we experience no feeling of horror rather
we desire that they should be renewed, if the
| thing could be done without giving shook tc
the public conscience.
This is the Liberal idea-the Philosophers
idea-of humanity.
The periodical, Rerus de BelgiQue, edited
by M. Emile de Levaieye, says:
To think that free discussion will suffice t.
give Us victory is chimera. Do not let u
lose time In trying to convince our adversaries
We know we are right: that is gu ficient. Thu
tendency to cast liberty aside as An auxiliar,
in the social struggle makes daily progress
No il the Belgian Liberals wish to serve thei
country and their ideas they must have re
course to more energetic means. We do moi
want to make mGrtyrs but imprisonment, fnes
and banisbment are legal means, and why no
cd ham T. in hN