, 1889-11-12
A LARGE GATHERING.
Congress of Catholic Laymen
in Baltimore.
Twelve Hundred Delegates in
Attendance.
The Meeting Addressed by
Daniel Dougherty.
Opening of the Catholic Congress.

Opening of the Catholic Congress.
BALTIMORE, Nov. 1.-THE ], 200 del
egates to the first congress of Catholic
laynen of the United States was called to
order shortly before noon to-day by W.
j. Onahan of Chicago. Every seat in tho
hall was filed and the galleries we're
crowded. The first applause of the as
sembly was elected by the entrance of ex-
Governor John Lee Carroll with Arch
bishops Ireland of St. Paul, and Onahan.
Archbishop Ireland briefly invoked the
divine blessing. In q few remarks intro
ducing Carroll as temporary chairman,
Onahsn mentioned Pope Leo. Instantly
there was hand clapping and cheers all
over the hall. soon growing into a tumult
of enthusiasm. The scene wa a notable
one as the delegates swung their hats and
shouted a greeting to the Roman pontIff.
Carroll, IN taking the chair, said:
1T may be that the question will be
asked. BY what authority is this congress
held and under what law does it assemble?
In reply to this We would suggest by the
sanction of his eminence the cardinal
archbishop of Baltimore and the distin-
Ruished prelates who now surround us
and by virtue of the authority of the con-
stitution OF the United States. This con-
gress has but two great purposes at heart.
The glory and progress of the Catholic
church and the continued prosperity OF
the American people"
The following cablegram from Rome was
then read:
To Cardinal Gibbons, Balnmore-
Having made known to the holy father
the expressions of devotion conveyed TO
him on the part OF the Catholic congress
TO be held in Baltimore. his holiness gra-
ciously bids me say that he most affection
ately imparts his blessing to all its mem
bers. M. RAMPoLLA."
Daniel Dougherty of New York had
been invited by the chairman to address
the congress pending the appoint
orator YVES in his best form
ton by the congress. He sketched the
history of Catholicism in this country and
said:
IN colonial times Catholics suffered di-
direct crueltics in comparison with which
slaves were high bred guests. The only
religious martyrs in Africa were Catholics.
They were spurned, slandered and yillified.
The highest honors OF the republic were
denied them by prejudice as strong as
constitutional enactment. The consola-
tons of religion were denied to sick and
suffering Catholics in many institutions of
charity and to criminals in prision. They
could call themselves pre.eminently Amer
lean, tor without catholicism America
to-day would be unknown. Liberty,
which Is freedom to worship God, was
established in,,Amerca by Catholics alone
Though the growth of the country had
been marvellous. that of catholicism out
stripped 1t. From a despised people they
became a mighty power. The Catholic
church is the protector of learning. 1t
was she who saved the classic literature
from the ruins of the Roman empire.
On the eve of the celebration of
the fourth hundredth anniversary of
America 1t was proper to say that all the
tremendous results achieved thereirom
were due directly to the Roman Catholic
church alone. Professionalism was unknown
when America was discovered. 1t vas Cath
olIc Columbus who conceived the mighty
thought, the monk encouraged him, the
cardinal interceded with the sovereiens of
Spain and a Catholic king and queen
made his expedition possible. 1t was to
spread the Catholic faith that the risk
was run and it was the standard of catho-
licity which was first planted on these
shores and for over a hundred years the
only eafistian worship on the continent
was Catholic"
All through Doupherty's address there
were outbursts of cheers and at its CON
ciu zion the dignitaries on the stage
crowded around him aud shook him
warmly by the band. Several other
speeches were made by prominent Catho-
lies Cardinal Gibbons entered accom-
panied by Cardinal Taschereau of Canada
and both were formally introduced to the
congress. Cardidal Gibbons addressed
the delegates. welcoming them in his own
name and that Of the people OF Balti-
more, irrespective of creed. Temporary
organization was made permanent aud a
short recess followed. On resembling
committees were announced. Regular work
OF the congress was then begun BY the
reading of the first paper, THE Catholic
Congress by Historian John Shea of
New York. The mex paper was by