Wichita eagle., 1888-12-13

/ SAtlIDlt l'iDOI
! That he is honest in the sacred cause.
In the light of history it cannot be truth
! fully denied that your church has contrib
! JIted to the education OF the people of every
| civilized nation, and has thus assisted III
| giving to the state Christian foundation
From the very earliest history of oul
city your church has contributed
| of education and of Christianity
and has thus had beneficent effect upon
the social life of the city.
| When you come to know your people
! here you will soon ascertain that as citi-
zens they have been among the foremost IN
all the enterprises which have transformed
the frontier village into beautiful city OF
10000 people.
! Recognizing their splendid citizenship,
the people here, irrespective OF tenet OF
| creed, delight to receive and honor their
| bishop. l but echo the sentiments of those
| for whom l speak VIXEN expressing the
| hope: may you here find happiness in the
fulfillment of your life's mission.
May kind sentiments of welcome to you
plead for utterance, but remembering.
| sit must appear in other ways than words,
| Therefore scant this breathing courtesy
| The choir gave Norma, and then James
T. Comfy spoke as follows in behalf of the
! Catholics of the diocese.
half of the Catholics of this diocese | well
come you, our first bishop, to the city OF
Wichita and tender to you, dear bishop,
their warmest greetings and most sincere
congratulations The affectionate regard
of my fellow citizens without regard to
creed or nationality are with you.
| Less than a quarter of century ago
nifcant city of its years the world
every produced, was the home of the
savage. The stiffness of the vast prairie
was disturbed only by the hideous howls
of the best of prey and the trampling
noise of the countless buffalo. The only
sound of human voice was the war cry of
| the red man No lips parted or lounge
| soon came Christianity and civilization
| hand in hand uutil savagery no longer
reigned supreme. Thank God today |
! can welcome you to the same land and
| instead of wild and desolate plain find
! Christian city of more than forty thous-
and Christian and God loving people.
| Their Christianity and generosity can be
out done by no other city or country.
| / cannot immagine greater struggle
| for worldly possessions than that which
prevailed in this city for the last few
years. Sleepless nights and busy day was
an affection from which no one escaped,
with all eyes turned seemingly upon the
/ Il.
their humble home in the sod house to the
costly mansion, and indeed. not few who
were without shelter or protection save
| the shelter of Heaven, and protection OF a
| strong arm and braye heart, have amassed
! great fortunes. But with all this struggle
| for an requirement of wealth their love OF
| God and fidelity 10 the Catholic church
was ever true AS an evidence of such
| faithfulness look over this beautiful and
wealthy city and see the number of costly
! churches and other buildings erected and
procured by the liberality of these people
| and dedicated for the worship of God for
| the teaching of Christianity. for the care
and protection of the orphan. The needy
and afflicted are tenderly cared for, until
| the city is dotted with buildings of such
character, from which the light of true re-
| ligion shines out to the world as unmis-
takably as do the stars from Heaven.
No jealousy, no envy, no feeling OF supe-
| riority on account OF wealth, position or
station in life exists but all stand firm
| and faithful hand is hand ever ready and
willing to assist each other. The Catho-
lies of this city and diocese are broad
minded and generous, ever mindful OF
! their duty to the church.
Well may fell honored to have the
privilege of voiceing a welcome to you,
dear bishop of such people. l can assure
YOU they will do all in their power to further
XOlf interests III UUS new uIOCtot, VI WHICH
we are confident will be the grandest dio-
cese in the great west.
The sincere wish of our people is that
you may live to wear the inter for many
years and add to the history of the church
another bright page 10 its glorious deeds
in the west, In conclusion | know only
voice the sentiments of our Catholics
when / say thrice welcome to our beloved
bishop.
81, of f,fC Hn taf 1Iar,
arose in a most genial and pleasant man
ner and made a short address He has a
dignfied yet pleasant appearance. his
voice is full, deep and rich. and his re-
marks created for him a most favorable
impression.
He said: II am surely thankful to you all
for this magnificent reception YOU have
accorded me. | assure you | did not ex-
pect it. | was informed that my reception
would be informal, and am somewhat
confused and unable to give expression 10
nv feelings Instead of a simple social
reception you have given me grand ova-
ton.
have heard OF your hospitality, of your
genialty and kindness and if l never
should have another occasion To test |
would be compelled to confess that have
| heard scarcely all the truth. | am not
vain enough to think that it is rendered
me as an individual; you see in NE the
messenger sent from the head of Christ's
church on earth TO bring you glad tidings,
the pilot to guide the ship OF the gospe!
over the rough tempestuous sea OF life.
Because of this it is that you have given
me this reception.
have left home and friends and scenes
familiar to me since childhood; / have left
them all and come here alone to this city;
yet ! find the mayor, a prominent citizen
and one Of my own church each
giving me welcome. | therefore
feel strong and that | have
come indeed 10 a new home. ] thank Al
mighty God that | have such a people;
thank God that you have such a city and
that in il religion has prospered a. in the
past; am proud 70 say | can not but re
mark that great credit X due TO your
| worthy administrator. Father Casey
have heard OF the churches he has built,
and OF the great work he has done in the
past. and although ! know | shall huml-
late him in referring 10 it, yet | must
give credit where II i due
I am glad TO have so able an
assistant in my work. | will not loager,de-
tain YOU. but hope you will not be disap-
pointed in me; know | shall not in YOU
| will do everything can 20 aid in the
progress Of this city. / am willing 10 enter
into the spirit of this progressive city.
Thank you, Mr.. Mayor and good people ali
for this reception
After the Valley OF Chamoune, beau
tifuIIy sung by Miss Edna VI Burke,
Father Casey thanked the audience for
their attendance and remarked that while