, 1889-11-14
CATHOLIC CONGRESS.
Twelve Hundred Laymen in
SESSION.
A SPEECH BY A NOTED ORATOR.
Cardinal Gibbons Addresses the
Delegates in an Earnest
Speech of Welcome.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 1.-THE delegates to
the first congress of Catholic laymen OF
the United States were called to order
shortly before noon to-day by w. j.
Onahan of Chicago. Every seat in the
hall was filled and the galleries were
crowded. The first applause of the as
sembly was elected by the entrance of
Ex-Governor John Ice Carroll, with
Archbishop Ireland of st. Paul and
Onahan. -
Archbishop Ireland briefly invoked
Divine blessing and in few re-
marks introduced Carroll as temporary
chairman, aud mentioned the name of
Pope Leo. Instantly there was hand
clapplg and cheers all over the hall,
soon growing into q tumult of enthusi-
asm. The scene was notable one as
the delegates swung their hats and
shouted greeting to the Roman pontiii.
On Carroll taking the chair, he said:
at may be that the question will he
asked, by what authority Is this congress
held, and under what law does it as
semble? In reply to this we would say
by sanction of his cminence the cardinal
archbishop of Baltimore, and tho dis
tinguishcd Irelates who now surround
us, and by virtue of the authority of the
constitution of the United States. This
congress has but two great purposes at
heart: the glory and progress of the
Catholic church and the continued pros
perity of the American people
The following cable from Rome was
rcad
Cardinal Gibbons. Baltimore: Hav-
ing made known to the holy fathor the
expressions of devotion conveyed to
ht an, ~ ,,r hp t'ntbpltr a
to be held in Baltimore, his holiness
graciously bids Inc say that he most
atiectionately imparts his blessing to all
members. CARDINAL RAMroLLA.
A NOTED ORATOR.
Daniel Dougherty of New York was
invited by the chairman to address the
congress pending the appointment of
committees. The famous orator was in
his best form and voice and was given a
perfect ovation by the congress. Dough-
erty sketched the history of Catholicism
in this country. He said in colonial
times Catholics suffered the direst cruel
ties, in comparison with which slaves
were high bred guests. The only re-
ligious martyrs in America werc Catho-
lies. Thoy were spurned, slanderod,
vilified and the highest honors of the re-
public denied them by prejudice as
strong as constitutional enactment.
| The Consolation of religion was denied
to sick and suffering Catholics in many
institutions Of charity, and to criminals
In prison. They could call themselves
pre.eminently Amcricans, for without
Catholicism America to-day would be
unknown. Liberty, which is the freedom
to worship God, was established
IN America by Catholics alone.
! Though the growth of the coun-
try hod been marvellous, that of
Catholicism outstrippcd it. From de-
'spised people they had become mighty
power. The Catholic church is the pro-
tector of learning. 1t was she who saved
Roman empire. On the eve of the cole
bration OF the 4o0th anniversary of the
discovery ot America 1t was proper to
| say that the tremendous results achieved
thercirom were due directly to the
Roman Catholic church alone.
Professionalism was unknown when
America was discovered. 1t was Catho-
lie Columbus who conceived the mighty
| thought; monk encouraged him; a
cardinal interceded with the sovereigns
of Spain, and the Catholic king and
queen made his expedition possible. 1t
was to spread the Catholic faith that the
| risk was run, and IL was the standard of
Catholicity which was first planted on
these shores, and for over 100 years the
only Christian worship on this conti-
nent was Catholic.
All through Doughortys address there
were outbursts of cheering, and at the
conclusion the digmitaries on the stage
crowded around him and shook him
warmly by the hand.
Several other speeches were made by
| prominent Catholics.