The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-01-28
THE DUTY OF OUR YOUNG MEN.

It ia much to he desired that the Catho
lie young men of the United States shonlC
ponder we'll the responsibilities which avail
them when they have left forever their co..
lege halls to enter upon the broad field o.
public life. We know that in this country
every one il apxiously waiting for the time
When, freed from the study of musty text.
books, both classical and scientific, he will
begin the career mapped out for him, and
in which, filed with the buoyancy of youth,
he fondly imagines that, like so mapy
others who have carved for themselves
great names, he will in the end Re success
tnl. But were young men to think seriously
OF the responsibilities which they M ust per-
force assume. they would undoubtedly
cheek these impatient desires and wish to
prolong the time of probation in college.
tnere are in all countries, more espec
tally in our own, ruled as it is by the repre-
sentatiVes OF the people and as the people
demand, certain duties which ell men must
accept. They must see that those whom
they elect to execute important trusts aad
occup Ply positions in the government are both
capable snd honest F.; they must be able to
discern what is Justice and isht for all
classes and all tienomin atiops and know
what line Of policy it is for the best in terests
of the country that those ruling should
pursue. They must, in duty, insist that
justice and truth and honesty prevail in our
national, onr state, and our municipal
Gust nage the moral courage to stand up
for it, despite all threats aud all tenpta. .
items, az we'll as all unpopularity among
either the working classes or those of higher
eocial position.
Bat though this duty is incum bent on oil
citizens, 1t ia Btill more so un the Catholic
young meH who are now about to step into
the arena of public life for, siuce the
Church insists that the legitimate govern
ment of country must he honored aud
maintained, every Catholic is bOUhd in CON
science to give that government Ills allie
glance and that support which will enable
The ruling powers TO do the most good
Tor ihosa whom they represent. uence it
ID that every Catholic citizen ia the United
States is in duty bound to support, not any
one particular party, but the government,
10 matter by whom Administered, and must
III conscience eUdeavor to do his best for
thu general veal of the people.
But besides this duty which he owes to
his country, she Catholic has one a go which
tie owes to hie Church and to his God. The
interests uf tho Catholic Church never
clash with the principles of Justice, nor
with the genuine interests of a people. No
matter uuder what form of government men
may live, their interests are always watch
ed over and defended by the Church. She
has never been antagonistic to the best in
terests of the people. In all the conflicts
between the Church and state, the former
has ever been on the side of Justice and
right. The state itself, regarding the whole
body of the people as the state, never was
in opposition to Rome. All these conflicts
were between the Church on one side, and on
the other sovereign who, having absolute
control over the state, desired to exercise
similar Cespotism over the Church. The
Catholic, then, must tit himself to promote
as we'll the interests of the state as those of
the Church, since che true welfare of peo-
pie cannot in any way conflict with the
higher duty which they owe to their Crea-
tor. In order, then, that one may do 30, he
should study well the constitution upon
which his government is stayed, have a iast
appreciation of those principles of truth,
Justice and right which should guide all
Legislators, and in addition know we'll the
nature of the claims made by the Church
upon her children. He who has Learned
these things and has the courage 20 lift up
bis voice in defense of them does his duty
both to Church and state; but be- who
through Ignorance OF cowardice neglects to
do 30 is recreant to the charge deVCle ng
upon him.
We say that ell this is req uired of a Gait :
Ole, and We cay truely. We know not what
questions may turn up in the near future.
Tue masses OF the people may be led
away from the principles of justice auG
reused to Il blind fairy by malicious and de-
signing men, as was the case during the
selfish ends. That the fury will quickly
pass. and that justice will III the end tri
umph, no one can doubt who has read
American history Alright. But 1t is far bet
Ter to prevent injustice, often arising from
Misunderstanding, than it ia to apply J
remedy after 1t has taken place; and they
sl0ne can prevent the evil arising from such
anatical movements SIS those of the "KnOw-
Noth'ns" who are both able and courageous
enough to show the truth in ite proper light
q the people and thus overcome tue bane
tuI effects of prejudice and ignorance. This
hen Is the dnty which the Catholic young
men of the United States owe to their God,
heir country, and themselves, tant they |
prepare by serious study to be able at all
] mes and under all circumstances to defer d |
he Church aud state against the attack s of
nelF enemIes--aud they are the enemies
Ih6e OF both who would seek to array the
me against the other.
In order that this duty may the better he
reformed, tie members of the rising gene
alton should make it a point to Thoroughly