Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-14


tacs lighted up End ackno Sledged the
applause xiih exquisite courtesy.
Sir. Doug hsrty said: II am profoundly
touched by this, the honor Of my life.
This congress is al event In the history
Of the republie, an era in American prog
ress, az advance in humanity, a move OF
earth towards Hesven.
The only religions martyrs who ever
stained our fair land with life-blood were
Rcman Catholics. Spurned With sus-
picion, disfrsnchised, prosecuted for
opinion sake, hunted as criminals and
punished with death by infamous laws.
We have from time to time been Sian.
dersd, yillihsd and maligned in uevspa-
pers, pamphlets aud books in speech and
sermon, sects,i4u assembly, political con
vsntion aud even ID the Congress of the
United States.
Called to your presence theme after
theme comes flashing through my brain
and swelling in uy bosom. a single
e1uitant thought shall give utterance to
and then resume my seat. We Catholics,
Roman Catholics, American Roman
Catholics proud, high spirited and sensi-
tive AZ any OF on. countrymsn have
silently submitted TO wrongs and injus.
tices in manifold shapes and from time
immemoral.
Away back in colonial years Catholics
suffered the direct erueities. Talk OF
the slaves in the south in ante-war times,
why they we're treated like high-bred
guests when compared with Catholics in
colonial days. 1t ia the damned spot"
that will not "Uot."
We have been prescribed at the ballot
box. The highest honors Of the Repub-
lie srs denied US by prejudice that has
all the fogce Of constitutional enact.
ment. In integrity, intellect aud accom-
plishmeuts the equal Of our fellows, yet
the instances are rare when Catholics are
rendered exalted distinctions. The exer-
ciaes o. our holy religion as q right are
denied the suffering, the sick and the
unfortunate IN many institutions OF
charity and to criminals in prisons and
peuitentiaries. Though the rank and file Of
the army and navy are largely Of
our creed the chsplains are fewer than
the fingers Of o1e hand. Il ia said that
Catholic Indians have Protestant teach
ere. Churches have been burnt converts
have bsen pillaacd and libraries de-
stroysd. Aye, political parties in the past
10 sgAEAh ~ AEpL4Ne Ns Vi bilE
rights and VS. are branded as tools OF a
foreign potentate and unworthy to enjoy
the name Of Americans. The time has
CONE, not Of our seeking, but In the
COURSE Of events, when we, the Roman
Catholic laity Of the United stat4s, can
with prcpriety speak, can vindiczte our
selges-not BY harsh words, heated re.
torts nor defiant threats but calmly, yet
hrmly-chsritably, yet proudly consciols
OF tie Integrity Of our motives and the
imprt gnabi!!:y of our position. We
assert We are e.eminsntiy Americans;
that there would be 40 America that the
continent would be to-day unknown had
it not been for the Roman Catholics and
the Eomsn Catholic church. That that
liberty which is the essence OF al! liberty
freedom to worship God-was first
established in America by Roman Cath
ollcs aud Roman Catholics alone. II was
priests, aye Jesuit missionaries, who frs.
sought and explored our land, penetrated
into tie wilderness, tracked the streams
and gave ssinted names to localities,
bays, lakes and rivers. The tirst worship
here Of the true God was the holy sacri-
fee of the nsss. Catholic nations were
the first to come 10 the rescue Of our
revolutionary fathers 10 the war az ainst
the greatest Of Protestant powers. A
Roman Catholic was among the signars
OF the Declaration Of Independence.
The name Of Arch bishop Carroll is for.
ever linked with Benjamin Franklin in
the mission to Canada. Catholics have
given heroes to the Republic in every
var and in every battle on field or q sod
flafhnlteG hnva aanlEA shatR AavnNfnE,
their lives. And nov the Roman Catho.
lies laity Of the United States for the
first time in Congress assembled are here
70 proclaim to all the world that their
country is tied to every fibre OF their
hearta and no mortal power can shake
their loving allegiance TO its constitution
and its laws.
Why truly the blood of the martyr is
the seed Of the church. Marvellous as
has been tho growth OF population,
Catholics have outstripped all. From
40 900 they have become 10000, 900
From despised people, they arc a
mighty power. In every avenue of in
dustry and intellect they are tho peers OF
thfir fellow men. Their schools and
colleges, libraries asylums and hospitals
are scG!tered near and far. Ia every
Village, stecple or tower, tipped
With the cross, tell where Cath.
oiics pray. In every town splen.
did churches gather each morning
Thousands Of wnfshippes4 Ia every
metropolis q cathedral lifts its massive
walls high ab,ve surrounding piles, Oh
9th its stately done crGRus TIE city's
brow. Oar grand old church is tie pro
rectgr Of leaning fhe IT was who res
en4d tbs II st5a.bls jswsis Of clasai.
logo rom tae rJius ot The roman empire
previously preserved then through tht
ccny1l5iyns o. a,tnoGssnd years, and gkyt
tGs@ 70 the printerE art TO earich tt,
leaning, elevate the style and adorn tn,
lLi rEiTre o! every language 10 the enC
~ lae. SIC 10 the pioneer 0
cN.Iz lion Sic was the founder o
stGies, the Trainer OF laws, the conssrya
tUr Of order the cham pion Of the peoplt
against the entertainments Of tyrsnts So
y was that struck the chains from tn
whte ses's o. the old world. She it i
taat Otholds kneeling around her altar
tue black and the white, tho rich and til
poor tins savage OF the forest, the loyalt
Of the palace, the statesman of the caoi
net and the philosopher OF tn
school. Ske IS the patron Of ar
AID the theme OF the poet. |
iq the Catholic church that guard
the home, ssn9tiies marriage, elevator
woman aid places tie blessed motbe
nearer the Saviour. 1t ia the Catholi
church while ever striving for the goo
Of mortals here below, bends her snblin
aEd heaven appointed mission to the on
supreme aspiration Of fitting her childre
Tor the regions Of eternal bliss.
The shadow OF IN imposing ever
hegins to move. The people of til
United States, aye, in the hemisphere
nse preparing 10 celebrate the 40Oth al
nj as.aarY Of TN dIaraue ~ A.nnrinl