The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-11-12
Centennial.
CATHOLICISM IN AMERICA,
Tbe Opening of the First Cath
Oilc Congress in the
United States.
YBB BRILLIANT GRAFTON
Of Hon, Daniel Dougherty, the
Sllyer.TOngued Orator
of tho North.
YBB BRILLIANT GRAFTON
, Suecc,l that WIN Go Down 10 History
sa Model Of Oratory Creates Great
Entbu,lun,-Formal OpcnluS Of
the Consres-The COmuIt
tees Appointed RE- j.
ceptlon Of CardI'
nal Gibbons.

RurluonR, Nov, 1.-THE twelve
hundred delegates to the first Congress
oftbe Catholic Laymen Of the United
States were called to order shortly be-
for. uoon to-day by Hon, WI, Oaahau,
n Chicago. Every seat in Concordls
ballwas filled and the galleries were
crowded with spectators. The first ap'
nIapse Of the assembly was elected
nv the entrance Of Ex-Governor John
TseUarrolI with Archbishop Ireland, Of
s, Panl, and Mr. Onaliau. Archbishop
Ireland briefly invoked the Divine
blessing. In d few spirited reparks iu'
iroJucIug Ex-Governor Carroll as the
temporary chairman, Mr., 0naban mep'
tloupd the name Of Pope Leo. Instant
~ there was hand Clapplng and cheer
iar all oyer the hall, soon growing into
n tnmultoi enthusiasm. The scene was
n notable one as the delegates swung
their hats and shouted greeting TO the
Roman POnlilr. Mr.. 0nahan's sugges'
lion that he hoped not far distant TO see |
an international Congress OF Lay Gath.
oics also, met with hearty approba'
ton. "a,
chair was warmly applauded. He said
tmay bs that the question will be asked,
by what authority is this Congress held,
and under what law does 1t assambleP 2
In reply tOthis, We would suggest by the
sanction Of His EminenCe the Cardinal,
Archhishop Of Baltimore, and the dis:
tinguished prelAtts who now Surround
us, aud by virtue Of the authority OF the
Constitution Of the United Etates. He
said that this Congress, so auspiciously
begun, will he but the forerunner ot
Othersye to come, and that the Catho'
lies Of tha United States will take 20
these congresses with pride an1 satisiac.
ton. The Congress has but two great
purposes at heart, the glory and Progress
Of tLu Catholic Church and the contin-
ued prosperity Of the American people.
[Appanselone continued. The follow
Ing Cablegram from Rome was read:
M, Emheaet Cardinal 0ibbOaS, BaltiHOrei
Elaylng made known to the Holy
Father the expressions Of devotion con.
veyed To him on the part OF the Catholic
Congress to be held In Baltimore, His
Holiness graCiou,ly bids me say that be
most ttIeCtionately imparts his blessing
to all the members,
[Signedl M. CAIN. RAyPoL1A.
Daniel Dougherty, OF New York, was
invited by the chairman to address the
Congress pending the appointment OF
committees. The famous orator was TO.
day in his best form aud voice. He was
given perfect ovation by the Congress.
Mr., DOuvherty said:
DANIEL Dou0nERrY's GRAFTON.
lam profoundly touched by this, the
honor Of my life. This Congress Is an
event in the history Of the Republic, 40
era In American progress, an advance 10
humanity, u mUVe Of earth toward
heaven. Called to your presence, theme
after theme comes flashing through my
brain and swelling in my bosom. 4
single exultant thought / shall give
uttrrAnce to and then resume my seat.
We CathOliCs, Roman Catholics, Ameri-
eau Roman Catholics, proud, high spirit
cd and sensitive Us any Of our Country
men, have silently submitted 10 wrongs
and injustces in manifold shapes and
from tine immemoriAl.
Away back in colonial years, Catholics
suffered the direst Cruelties. Talk OF
the slaves Of the South In ante. war times
why they were treated like high.bred
guests when compared with Catholics In
colonial days. ltis the "damnGd SPOT"
that will not tout" The only religious
martyrs who ever stained our fair land
with their lie.blood were Roman Catho,
lics-spnrned with suspicion, disiran.
Ghised, prosecuted for opinion sake,
hunted As criminals aud punished with
death by Infamous laws, We have from
time to tlmG been Slandered, Villiaed
and maligued In newspapers, pamphlets
aud books, In speech and sermon, sec.
tartan assembly. political onyentlon aud
even in tue Congress Of the Uulted
States. We have been prescribed at the
ballot box, The highest hoDots Of the
Republic arc denied US by a pre-.
judice TINT has all Tue force Of o
constitutional enactment. In IN.
tegtily, intellect aud accomplishments,
the equal OF our fellows, yeti the In
stances are rare when Catholics are ten.
derrd exalted distinctions, The exer.
CtStsOt our holy religion as . right are
denied thu suffering, the sick and IN.
fortunate In many institutions Of Oharl.
ty, aud 10 the criminals In prisons and
penitentiatirS. Though the rank and
file OF tho army aud navy are largely oil
our creed, the ChaplainB are fewer than
the ilnUetS Of ones hand, II 10 Said that
Catholic Indians have PROTESTANT teach'
Crs, Churches have been burnt, con.
vents have been pillaged and libraries
destroyed. Aye, political parties In the
past ''ayV sought to deprive ia Of our
political rights and we are branded "a
toVlsofalOreIRn pOtentate aud unworthy
10 enjoy the nanie Of Americana,
rltG DAwSiSo og A NEW SRA,
The timu has come, not Of Our seek.
10y, but Ia the Conrao Of events, when
Mc the Roman Catholic lplty Of the
United States can with propFlety sneak,
can vlndICate ourselyeS.-not by hafsh
word', heated reLOrt nor defiant ihtealsI
buI calmly, yet firmly --ChailAbly, yet
proudly, conscious Ol the Integrity Of
our motives aud the iinptppnA6ility Of
OUT position, We aSAVft We are pre,en.
menIly AmeriCans--lhat there would be
20 AmerIca--that the continent would
1e To-day unknown had II not been for
Roman Catholics and tho Roman Catho.
NC Church. That that liberty which IL
!lc GsSence Of all llbstty-ifeedom TO
wOsllp uod-was lAt established IN
America by Roman Catholics, and by
mmiu Catholics alone, Il vas
priests, ave, Jesuit missionaries, who
hht sought .aud explored our
aOI penetrated Into lho wilderness
Tracked the streams and gayO Bainled
llIlts 70 localities, bays, lAkea and
iNrIe' The first worship Eefo Ol The true
10. SOI Wa The holy sacrifice ol the mAsa,
SN9ollc halIOnS wetV tho Elfst 10 CONT
~ lhe rescue Ol our revolutionary
!AlhVIb war NRAlnRt ihn aTOAtaat O