The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-13
FOR CHURCH AND STATE.
The Catholic Laymens Congress
Formulates the Platform on
Which it Stands,
The Second and Last Day of the
Meeting an Enthusiastic and
Interesting One.
An Address Presented 10 the Prcsi dent
The Dedication Of the New Uni
versity To-Day.

BALTIMORE, Nov. l2-The session Of the
congress of Catholic laymen was held to-day
with all the enthusiasm and crush Of spec
tators that characterized the opening meet
ing. Hon. Horace Mericer. prime minister
of Quebec made an address which was in
many respects one of the best heard this
week.
His reference TO the recently repaired
despoilment of the Jesuits by the same
George III. who despoiled the American
revolutionary fathers of their liberties and
rights was cheered again and again.
"lhis restitution act by the Canadian gov
ernment." he said, will long stand an
honorable act before mankind. As 10 the
status of Catholics. whether in Canada or
the United States. the world should know
that loyalty to God means loyalty TO the
state" To the American poet bongfel.ow.
and his pathetic alusion 10 Catholics and
Canadians, Mercier paid tribute of noble
eloquence, concluding with quotation
from the poets "Ship Of State" which the
premier 50 used ms to imply that II en-
pressed the feelings of Quebec tothe Ameri-
can union.
Delegate Fagin, of New York, offered
resolution, which was adopted with rush.
rendering ON behalf of the congress the
most cordial greetings 10 the people of Can
ada and acknowledging their warm senti-
ments of regard as expressed by Premier
Mercier.
Monsignor Gadd, of England, special
representative of Cardinal Manning, briefly
congratulated the congress on its success.
and following him came long paper on
philanthropy" by Peter Foy, of 81.
Louis.
Edmund l.. Dunno. of Florida, treated
of the State on Education" The following
papers were also read: Religion and Edu-
cation" by William Il. Kelly, Of st. Paul;
Societies" by ii. j. Spaunhortt, of st.
Louis: "Catholic American Literature" by
G. B. Pallin, Of St. Louis; Sunday Oh
servance," by NJ. h. Tello, 6f Cleveland;
Labor and Capital" by William Richards,
of Washington.
After recess the committee appointed 10
wait upon President Harrison at Washing
ton and invite him to be present, ,rported that
they had been received cordially and hand
somely by the chief magistrate Cheers. }
President Harrison had said if il we're not
that he was preparing his messape. he would
accept the invitation gladly. md in any
event he would be with the delegates in
Washington tomorrow at the dedication of
the new university. The report WAS enthn-
siastically received, and the obi 'ations of
the congress 10 the president and the COM
mittee expressed by more cheering and a
rising vote.
The reading of papers was then resumed
George ID. Wolf. of Philadelphia. read n
paper ON "lrhe Catholic Press. Judge Frank
Mcilain, of Louisiana. and Milton Il.
Smith, of Washington, discussed Wolff
paper.
THE PLATFORM.
Tonight the net result Of the proceedings
of the first congress of Catholic laymen of
the United States is made manifest in the
platform adopted with enthusiastic unan-
unity. The platform reioices at the marvel
Gus development of the country. and re-
CARDS with Just pride the part taken by
Ctholics therein. In the words of the pas
toral issued 10y the archbishop and bishops
in the third plenary council, I'VE claim
10 be acquainted with the luws. institutions
and spirit of the Catholic church. and with
the laws. institutions md spirit Of our coun-
try, and we empbatically declare there is M
, antagonism between them" We repudiatC
with equal earncstness the assertion that
we need lay aside any of ouI
devotedness 20 the church to be true
Americans and the msinuntnn that VT
need abate any Of our love for OuI
country's principles and institutions 20 b,
faithful Catholics. We cannot, however
shut our eyes to many dangers thut threaten
the destruction Of the social fabric upou
institutions. Although our wealth has in.
creased and prosperity abounds, We find
under its shadow this system of incipien,
pauperiem, discontented men, women and
children without the benefits Of education
without the advantages of religion, de-
pryed of any share in the abundance. OF
participation in the blessings which
through our free institutions. God
Almighty has designed for the people
of our land. We recognize its importance
to religion and educat ON. As il IN. i'm state
schools no provision IL made for teaching
religion. We must continue 10 support our
own schools. colleges and universities. and
multiply and perfect others, so that the
benefit Of Christian education may be
brought within the reach Of every Catholic
child. Wealso recognize among the three
great educational agencies, besides the
church and schools, the Christian home.
, Whatever Imperls its permanency. security
and peace is a blow not only mt individu-
Nls, but is an attempt 10 subycrt civil so
ciety and Christian civilization. There
fore, we denounce the existence and devel-
opment of Mormonism and the tendency 20
multiply the cause of divorces M plague
spots ON our civilization. discredit 10 our
government, n degrati0n of the female sex
aud standing menace % the sanctity Of
the marriage bond.
We hold il is not sufficient for Catholics
TO Hhun bud or dangerous socittics. but they
ought TO take part i'm good and useful ones.
, Tho plan and form of the st. Vincent de
Paul society are commended, but as IL il
impossible Ia enumeTBte all the societies
whose labors have done 80 much b. succor
the poor and alleviate human misery, il
must be left 10 individual action 10 select
the fields in which to work
Another danger which menHces our ie-
public is the constant conflict between
capital and labor. We view with
regret and alarm any HntAgon-
ism between them, because thereby
society itself is imperiled. With the
church Ne condemn nihilism, socialism and
communism, and we equally condemn the
heartless greed Of capital. remedy must
be sought IN the mediation Of the church,
through her action Oh individual conscience,
and in such civil enuctments as have been
rendered necessary by altered condi-
tions. The employment Of young minors,
either male OF female. IA disapproyed. The
plntform pledges cooperation with the
clergy in discussing those great economic
educational and social questions which effect
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