Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-13
THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS.
Secret Societies to be Treated With
More Liberality.

more L1Oerallty.
The work of the Catholic congress came to
| an end yesterday, and that body adjourned one
OF the most notable and probably most useful
gatherings Of the representatives Of that
church. The platform, which is long paper,
denounces Mormonism and divorce; urges mod
Grafton in the conflict between capital and labor
and condemning nihilism. socialism and COM
munism, quotes that splendid utterance Of
Cardinal Gibbons, Labor has its sacred rights
as well as its dignity" The platform further
says: 1--WE are in favor of Catholics taking
greater part than they have hitherto taken in
general philanthropic and reformatory move
ments. The obligation to help the needy and to
instruct the ignorant is notlimited to the needy
| and ignorant Of our own communion, but we
are concerned, both as Catholics and Ameri-
cans, in the reformation Of all the criminals,
and the support Of all the poor in the country.
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE AND THE SALOONS.
"There are many Christian issues in which
Catholics could come together with non-Catho-
lies and shape civil legislation for the public
veal. In spite of rebuff and injustice and over
looking zealotry we should seek alliance with
non-Catholics for proper Sunday observance.
10 effect this we must set our faces sternly
against the sale of Intoxicating beverages on
In politics, the crime and pauperism resulting
from excessive drinking require legislative re-
striction. which we can aid in procuring by
joining our influences with that Of other enc
mics of intemperance.
Let us resolve that drunkenness shall be
made odious, and give practical encouragement
and support to Catholic temperance socties.
I'VE favor the passage and enforcement OF
laws rigidly closing saloons on Sunday and for
bidding the sale OF liquors to minors and intox-
icated persons"
On motion Of Daniel A. Rudd, negro dele
gate from Cincinnati the platform, without
discussion, was adopted without dissenting
voice. Various papers were read by laymen
from various parts of the country.
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Mr.. William Richards of Washington read q
paper in which he said: Thank God the iudic-
ious, earnest and sympathizing efforts Of
Cardinal Gibbons at Rome in behalf OF the
Knights of Labor and the cause of freedom in
our glorious country, and the magnificent
triumph OF Cardinal Manning in his recent
grand work OF reconciliating the rich and
naughty employers and the poor laborers of
London have lifted up the hearts and the hopes
OF the waiting and despairing millions. The uni
versal outburst OF popular admiration which
greeted these great efforts demonstrates that
the field is ripe for the harvest that the people
are in condition to receive the word which
Catholic leaders ought to be able to deliver"
MIR. Onahan of Chicago moved that an inter-
national Catholic congress be held, not later
than 1892, in Chicago, there because it could
offer the largest hall in America as well as west
ern hospitality.
Mr.. Campbell Of Philadelphia moved an
amendment that the convention be held
wherever the worlds fair is located [applausel,
as the eyes of the whole country would be di-
rected there at that time.
Mr.. Onahan accepted the amendment, be-
no Mt ha 20 fai ha
held in Chicago.
Mr.. Spaunhorstt of St. Louis expressed his
satisfaction at the amendment, because he
thought that that would bring the convention
to ST. Louis. The resolution as amended was
adopted.
AS Archbishop Ireland of st. Paul had
opened the congress it was the desire that he
close it. He had been pacing the middle aisle
OF the stage with his hands stuck deep in his
breeches pockets. He wheeled about and said
with fiery emphasis: go to your homes with
the enthusiasm that you have shown here;
spread it in every state in the Union, and say
there is new departure among Catholics in
the United States. Tell them there is a new
mission open for laymen. The long-expected
day has como when Catholic bishops, priests
and laymen rise up and say, 'Henceiorth we
will act as one man in accordance with our re-
lgion.' In vain will We tell our fellow citizens
that we have Gods faith in our hearts if we do
not live up to our profession. Each year must
now show marked progress Of our religion in
this country. Go back, not to sleep, but to
work. God bless your
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The Baltimore Sun this morning says: "Prob-
ably the most radical thing that has transpired
through the assembling of the first Catholic
congress is in regard to secret societies. The
Catholic church has long been regarded as the
lmplacable foe OF every secret society without
its own pale, and it now appears that the ban
of the church is to be lifted absolutely from
every sort of secret organization except the
Masonic order. That the objections to the
Masonic brotherhood will also be waived is con-
tidently expected by those who know, and it is
said to be only matter of twelve months or SO
before any man may openly avow himself
member OF the Ancient Order of Free and Ac-
cepted Masons as well as faithful member of
the Roman Catholic church.
"A northwestern delegate to the congress
said yesterday: You may say without fear OF
going wrong that one of the startling announce
ments following this congress in Baltimore is
this: That the Catholic church in America will
from this day, through the mnistrations of the
priests in the confessional-for that is where
such action is communicated to the laity-deal
with extraordinary and hitherto unknown lib
crafty with members of secret organizations
1T WILL in fact, remove all restrictions that
prevent Catholics from joining or remaining
members of or becoming members of any
known secret society, Win one exception. lnat
exception is the Masonic fraternity. So far as
that organization is concerned. it is believed
by the bishops and archbishops to be in America
harmless organization. number of the
prelates are disposed to speak kindly of its
action in cutting off the Cerneau section and in
stopping all communication with the Grand
council of the Orient. The bishops and arch
bishops are said not to have made any real in
vestigation. The one particular point which
brings into application the Quintessence of
Catholic philosophy and forms the point of ex-
ceptlon ON the part of the bishops and arch
bishops is that where a man joins an order
without knowing its purpose ana takes the
oath of allegiance to it. The Catholic church
holds that this is contradictory to reason and
Judgment, inasmuch the man who
takes such an oath without knowing what his
obligations or duties to be is rash.
We OF the northwest have largely joined or de-
signed to Join, the Ancient Order of Foresters.
In fact, il you will inquire among the delegates
you will find men who avow interest and even
prominence already in that order, but it is not
alone our case that is considered. Nearly every
one remembers the interest that Cardinal Glib
boas has manifested in the Knights of Labor,
Monsignor McColgGns kindllness toward the
cause of organized labor and the published ad-
vice Of the former that workingmen had right
to band together for protection. While the
archbIshops have held no formal meeting on
the subject it is well understood that they
leave Baltimore prepared to act as have indi-
Gated, and you may be certain that no member
of the Odd Fellows, the Order of Foresters,
Knights OF Labor, or other secret orders, ex-
cept the one have named, will be advised by