The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-11-27
rHE popE,s ENcYc11oAL.
A TRANSLATION of the Letter Duties OF
Catholic CiIiGSnA.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 25.-Archbishop Glib
bons has received and had prepared thu
first full and authentic translation init
English Of Pope Leo's encyclical in thu
Christian Constitution Of States. Instead
Of condemning in any way modern civil
ization or States as they exist at present
the Pope highly approves OF all real
progress and true freedom. After con.
demning AnArchism and lawlefSness, the
Pope says:
These, then, are the things taught by
the Catholic church concerning the
constitution and government OF the
State. Concerning the sayings and de-
crees, II man will only judge disposition
ately, no form Of government is per Sc con.
demned so long as it has nothing repug-
nant to Catholic doctrine and is able, II
wisely and Justly managed, to preserve
the State in the best condition. Nor is it,
per &c to be condemned whether the peo-
pie have greater or less share in the gov
eminent; for at certain times, and with
the guarantee ofcertain laws, such particle
patton may appertain not only to the use
fulness but even to the duty OF the citizens.
TlllSOb PhOhlblLkDs
The Church Judges it not lawful that the
various kinds OF Divine worship should
have the same right as the true religion.
still it does not condemn those Governors
OF States, who for the sake OF acquiring
some great good, or preventing some great
i'll, patiently bear with manners and GUS
toms, so that each kind Of religion has its
place in the State. For the same reason
the Church cannot approve ofthat liberty,
which generates q contempt OF the most
sacred laws Of God, and puts away the
obedience due to legitimate power, for
this ia license rather than liberty.
On the other hand, that liberty is IA.
tural and to be sought, which, if it be con-
sidered in relation TO the individual, suf-
fers not men to be the slaves OF errors and
evil desires, the worst OF masters, II, in re-
lation to the State, it Presides wisely over
the citizens, serves the faculty ofaugment-
ing public advantages, and defends the
public interest from alien rule, this blame.
less liberty worthy OF man, the church ap-
proves above all, and has never ceased
striving and contending to keep firm and
whole among the people.
Whatever may happen to extend the
range Of knowledge, the Church will always
willingly and joyfully accept, and she will,
as is her wont in the case Of other depart
ments OF knowledge, studiously encourage
and promote those also which are concern
ed with the investigation OF nature, in
which studies, il the mind finds anything
khn 10 ~
She fights not against the search after
more things for the grace and convenience
OF litei nay, very foe to inertness and
sloth, she earnestly wishes that the talents
OF men should, by being cultivated and
exercised, bear still richer fruits; she
affords Indictments to every sort OF art and
craft, and by her own virtue, directing by
her own perfection all the pursuits OF those |
things to virtue and salyatlon, she strives
to prevent man from turning aside his in
telligence and industry fIom God and
heavenly things,
DUTIES or CITIZENS.
The Pope then speaks Of the duty to
conform ones life and manners to the
precepts Of the gospel and continues: It
Is also OF great Importance 10 give atten-
ton to the duties OF citizenship; in this
regard most particularly, with that con-
Germ which is righteous among Christians
TO take pains and pass effective measures
so that public provision be made for the
instruction Of youth in religion and true
morality, Tor upon these things dependSS !
very much the welfare Of every State.
Besides, in general, it is useful and hon
orable TO stretch the attention OF Catho-
lie meR bay0ad this narrow field, and to
embrace every branch Of public admins.
tIation. '".s
A wish to take no part in public affairs
would be in that degree vicious, and
would be attended with danger to the |
Christian name, because they would be-
come most powerful who are badly dis
posed towards the church; and those least
powerful who are well disposed.
Therefore, it is evident there is Just
cause for the Catholics to undertake the
conduct OF public affairs, for they do not
assume these responsibilities in order to
approve OF what is not lawful in the
methods OF government at this time, but
in order that they may turn these very
methods, as far as may be, to the uumixed
and true public good, holding this purpose
in their minds, TO infuse into all the veins
OF the Commonwealth the wisdom and
virtue OF the Catholic religion-the most
hearty sap and blood, as it were.