The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-13

the county and society at large. protest
is entered against any change m the mntior
of the education Indians 10y which they will
be deprived of Christian teaching
The platform fayors Catholics taking a
greater part than heretofore III general
phiIanthropic and reformntory movements
by mingling more IN such works Of national
virtue as non-chtholic citizens ARE engaged
in and taking proper share in the manage
ment of prisons and hospitals. We might
exert Catholic influence outside of our own
body at the same time We are solaclng the
unfortunate aud reforming the erring. We
should be able to insist on Catholic inmates
being freely ministered TO hy their own
Clergy and we must assert and
secure the right of conscience
of Catholics in all institutions
under public control. There are many
Christian issues in which Catholics could
come together with non-Catholics and shape
civil legislation for the public good. In
spite Of rebuff and injustice and overboar-
ing zealOtry, we should seek an alliance
with nom Catholics for the proper obsery-
ance of the laws. To effect this We must
set our faces steruly against the sale Of in
toxicating beverages on Sunday: the cor
rupting influence Of saloons in politics.
Crime and pauperism resulting from excess
sive drinking require legislative restriction,
which We can aid in procuring 10y joining
our influence with that Of other enemies of
intemperance. We favor the passage and
enforcement Of laws rigidly closing saloons
on Sunday and forhidding the sale of liquors
To minors and intoxicated persons.
The platform recommends Catholics TO
subscribe more generally for Catholic publi-
cations. looks with eagerness for the estab-
lishment of daily Catholic newspapers in
the large cities and Catholic Associated
Press agency, recommends the work OF
Catholic circulating libraries, reading cir
cles and the efforts TO have the best Catho-
lie books and periodicals introduced
into public Libraries as fast as prac-
ticable. We hope for the introduction of
proper church music in all our churches
where other music is now heard. Music
should help devotion at divine service and
not be such as tends 10 divert the mind
from heavenly thoughts. Efforts should
be made To have tue congregation join IN
the singing. The platform concludes:
I'VE cannot conclude without recording our
solemn conviction that absolute freedom of
the Holy See is equally indispensable to the
peace of the church and the welfare of man.
kind. We demand in the name of humanity
and Justice that this freedom be scrupulously
respected by all secular governments. We
protest against the assumption 10y any such
government of the right To affect the in
terests or control the acts of our Holy
Father by any form of legislation or Other
public act 10 which his full appreciation has
not been previously given, and we pledge 10
Leo KILL, the worthy pontif 10 whose hands
Almighty God has committed the helm OF
Peters bark. amid the tempests of TIM
stormy age, the loyal sympathy and the un
stinted aid of all his spiritual children II
vindicating the perfect liberty which h'
justly claims as his sacred and unalienabl'
right"
As Archbishop Ireland Of st. Paul, hat
opened the congress. il was desired that h'
close il. He said, with fiery emphasis; &c
10 your homes filed with the enthusiasm %
this convention and spread IL through
the union that this IL neS
departure for Catholics in this coun
try-a mission for Catholic laymen
The day has come. thank God. when al
Catholics will rise up and say. We ar
worthy Of our religion. The country 10 b
conquered is heaven. Don't go home b
sleep, but 10 work. Go back true Catho
lies" Adjourned sine die.
The next congress will meet NJ the city il
which the Worlds Fair is held in 1892.