Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-06-27
MGR. CAPEL ON AMERICA.

Americans do not pay the same defer
ence and respect to the opinions Oh dis
tinguished foreigners concerning them
and their institutions and country that
they once did. In politics and social mat
ters this Difference and respect were never
paid so much as in matters Of literary
concern. Thirty years ago, if so long, no
book by an American author could pass
in our own country unless it had first re-
ceived the approval of the English critics;
the opinion of the Continental critics was
not cared for, but there must be the opin-
ion of the English critics. If that opinion
was favorable to a new work, the success
of the work was practically assured; If
the opinion was adverse, the failure OF the
book was equally assured. But it is dill
ferent to-day, and Americans take En-
glish opinion for what it is worth, and the
consequence is that that opinion is more
favorable than it used to be, and it may
be that American works are also better
than they were. At any rate, there does
not exist the same fear that once did,
and this must tend to aid matters.
All llicriticisms must tend to improve mat
ters it made in a just spirit and accepted
in the same spirit. Recently we had in
our city distinguished Roman Catholic
prelate, Mgr. Capel, and while it may
have been vanity it was but natural that
Americans should desire to know his
opinion of them and their country. This
desire to know what other people may
think of them is generally held to be
the great American weakness. What
least he has tod # ebbbfe5mGf bbbbfem il in ,l1a Part at
Francisco Bulletin. He thinks America
has great resources and that it is land in
which the poor man should succeed. He
thinks that the genius of the Americans
is mechanical, and that they have in
vented nothing extraordinary except the
sewing machine. The telephone, he says,
has been in operation from the earliest
times in Ceylon. 1t is a relief to know
that it did not come from China,
at any rate. He thinks our school system
the same as that of France, Germany
and England, only the houses are better
American engineering has surmounted
obstacles that would cause European en-
gineers to stand aghast, he says. 1t sur
prises Monsignor to see the children of
poor parents, whose life was one of ag-
gravated toll and biting poverty in their
old country homes, have as much refine
ment and culture as the children
of people who have been nur-
tured and reared in refinement.
If the commingling of blood has already
produced so beautiful race, what will the
future be? asks Monsignor. He says that
America will have to meet the great
problem of the world yet, the labor ques-
ton. He says it can never be solved in
Europe, and the question naturally sug-
gests itself can it ever be solved when
population becomes dense, and in society
there exist wealth and poverty? 1t is
one of the greatest problems with which
all civilized societies have to deal;
it may be said to be from everlasting to
everlasting. Monsignor said he should
make it point to speak upon this ques-
ton before San Francisco audience. It
is amusing to think what Dennis Kearney
would say in reply. Concerning politics
Monsignor said he was dumb, but on
morals he had much to say. Americans
who are not Catholics will hardly agree
with Monsignor when he makes the fol-
lowing comment:
And then l have to say that the only
remedy to bring about better condition of
society Is the influence of our church. It will
be the influence of our church which will
save you. When that influence comes to
permeate the length and breadth of theland
then will be brought about the greatest social
revolution ever seen. To you will our church
teach two thlngs-reverence and obedience
Rome is a great church, and her most
admirable organization must challenge
the admiration of all. Within her broad
bosom she nurses all of mans spiritual
wants, and discordant elements are there
harmonized. So admirable is her system
that the most antagonistic theories and
practices find place. She knows the
human heart, and seeks to provide for all
its longings. Among her own adherents
she inculcates reverence, it is true, but
the obedience she requires is inconsistent
with freedom. With science and freedom
she has no conflict, providing science and
freedom accept her dicta regarding them.
Her cathedrals are worthy to be the
house of God; hel music is divine and
raises the soul; her rituals are solemn
and impressive; her priests are men of
learning and she is found everywhere.
but Protestants and unbelievers will ever
look upon her as the enemy of freedom
and progress, for she claims her authori-
ty from God, and, where able. allows
no one to dispute it. Reverence for
parents and respect for preceptors
all would wish to see without regard
20 religion. but IL would he