The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-23

but in our schools. in homes. Her influence and
power are not to be contested And instead of
meeting this foreign enemy with similar but more
effective arms, abdicste all religion and hand
over TO thiss enemy our and ammunition.
although spiritual arms are the best and strongest
that can be employed against her by any nation
There is therefore but one thing for do il We
hope to retain hardgained liberties and that IL
to enter upon course OF complete religious REFORM
such have now commenced, Tor believing
Catholics with liberal ideas--and they are legion
will hold fast to their old fortr, until they find
another and better refuge Believing Catholics cannot
accept Rome and will accept infdelity. As to
Professionalism. il is of small force and 80 little
known that il offers ameioration OF the situation.
or course my political associates think me somewhat
toqus Crazy this point, but they at least know
1t Is no new conviction with me. Then 1t Is
not merely for the political interests OF the coun
try. but for its social and domestic welfare.
that regard this movement rs important.
The only hold upon man is conscience. and when
that is dead you have but poor elements to constitute
free aud enlightened people FROM And to eliminate
religion wholly from society y nothing short Sn OF
see by my programme. my formula Is this The four
pillars of great national cdihce are industry.
liberty education and religion; and II you take away
any one of these the edihce will sooner or later
topple over.
CHRISTIANITY THE BASIS FREEnoM.
"But." ! remarked. 1.-The American Republic is
Protestant"
eyes. know it is when you speak of different
communions but 1t Is not because of any particular
or Protestant doctrine which the people hold that
its liberties are 50 secure. IL because they are
first of all. and above all things Christian. and Is
the foundation OF all Christian churches is the same
believe 1t il because you in the United States are
Christians and not because you are Calvinists that
you have become the great people that you are And
to-day it IN not because Catholic but because
we are Roman. that we are rs you find u.s.. Here
the COmte gave the statistics OF the Catholic pop
uation of the United States and their ecclesiastical
increase In such correct manner that was struck
with his knowledge OF our country and its insttu-
tions.
And do you not think Protestant reform would
succeed better here in France than Catholic re-
formY
Certainly not and for two reasons French Prot
estantis ID In too sad state OF nhdelity in too
weak state ~ an ecclesiastical institution to make
any breach in the Roman system. much less in the
Catholic faith. No. We cannot break away from our
past history or from our convictions of complete
religion; we must simply reform ourselves Us Eng
land has done for the English Church. while preserv
ing the Catholic faith and form. And In the reaction
Professionalism offers - poor refuge for faith, as
rstonalistc doctrines can be preached and are
preached In almost every Protestant pulpit IN
and rstionalistic Professionalism as / am to
superstitious. domineering Romanism. have few
friends in either of these extremes. and may say
have until now been isolated In my religious opin-
ions; but thank God! have never lost faith nor
courage. Then. you see. was partly educated iu
England 1t there. in the Anglican Church, that
the truest Christianity practised and the ruest
have never vet been in the United States. Before
Pere Hyacinthe came back to Paris knew not what
to do for the religious instruction OF my sons. !
tho caro- OF Bishop Herxog. because would not have
them brought up either ~ Protestant or Roman.
much less without any religion
And you count upon the success of this move
mentw
Certainly; for after ALL this radicalism in reg-
ion is fictitious. The French people need religion
and will have 1t. In ten years the reform will be
cepted.not by al. perhaps. but very generally
throughout rance"
'You really think that outside Paris the people
Will accept this reform p asked.
They more ready for IL than are. for preju
dice Is less strong in the country and besides there
hnger still throughout France strong Gsllcsn princ
pies. The older clergy are opposed to the usurpa-
lions Of Rome. and numbers Of the younger clergy
animated by patriotic principles. What we want
Is light ON the subject"
A valet here brought in q telegram. and the Comte
Obliged to leave ut for Versailles, to be
present ct . discussion in the Chamber. The above
however. embraces all that wished to obtain from
him ON the subject.