Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-12


hundred delegates to the first congress o.
the Catholic Lsymen of the United States
was called to order shortly before noon To-
day by Hon. W. J. Oaahan, of Chicago
Every seat in the COncOrdia was filled and
the galleries were crowded with specta.
tors. The first applause of the assembly
was ELECTED by the entrance of Ex-Gover-
nor John Lee Carroll, with Archbishop
Ireland, Of St. Paul, and Mr.. Onaban.
Archbishop Ireland briefly invoked the
divine blessing.
CHEERS FOR THE POPE.
In tsw spirited remarks introducing
ex.GOy. Carroll rs the temporary chair
man, Mr.. O0ahan mentioned the name OF
/ Pope Leo. Instantly there was hand clap
/ ping and cheering all over the hall, soon
growing into tumult Of enthusiasm. The
scene was a notable one as the delegates
swung their hats ard shouted greeting
to the Roman POntiff Mr. Onahan's sug-
gestiOn, that he hoped not far distant to see
an international congress of lay Catholics,
also met with hearty appreciation Ex-
Gov Carroll, on taking the chair, was
warmly applsuded. He said Ii may be
that the question will be asked, by what
authority is this congress held.
AND UNDER WHAT LAW
does it assembled 10 reply to this we
would suggest by the sanction of his Emi-
I u. rFn u
more and the distinguished pTelates who
now surround rs, and by virtue of the au.
thority Of the Constitution of the United
States. He said that this congress so su-
spiciously begun will be but the fOrerun-
ner OF others yet 10 CONE, aud that the
Catholics Of the United States will take to
these congresses with pride and satisfac-
tion, The congress has but two great pur-
poses at heart, the glory and progress OF
the Catholic church and the continued
prosperity of the American people. Ap-
plause long continued.
THR PONTIFF's BLESSING.
The following cablegram from Rome
was read:
His Emineace Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore:
Having made known to the Holy Father
/ the expressions ol devotion conveyed 10
him on the part of the Catholic Congress
/ to be held in Baltimore. His Holiness
graciously bids me say that he most affec-
tionately impaIts his blessing to all the
members.
Signed NJ. CARDINAL RAMPOLLA.
Daniel DOugherty, Of New York. was in
vited by the chairman to address the Con
gress, pending the appointment Of commit
tees The famous orator was to-day in his
hest for spd voice. He was given perfect
ovation by the Congress.
DOUGHERTY's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Dougherty said. II am profoundly
touched By this, the honor ofmy life. Thi:
congress is an event in the history Of the
Republic, an era in American progress, an
advance in humanity, move Of earth to-
ward HEAVIER. Called to your presence,
theme after theme comes flashing through
my brain and swelling in my bosom. A
single txultsnt thought l shall give utter
ance to ard then resume my seat.
We Catholics, Roman Catholics, Ameri-
can Roman Catholics, proud, high-spirited
and sensitive as any of our countrymen,
have silently submitted to wrongs and
iuiustices in manifold shapes and from
time immemoGial. Away back in colonial
years Catholics suffered the dirtiest cruel
ties. Talk of the slaves of the South IN
ante-war times-wby, they were treated
like high-bred guests when compared with
the Catholics in colonial days. 1t is the
damned spot that will not "out." The
onlv religious martyrs who ever stained
our fair land with lile-blOod were Roman
Catholics. Spurned with suspicion, dis
franchised, prosecuted for opinion sake,
hunted as criminals and punished with
death by infamous laws.
We have from time to time been Sian
dered, yillided and maligned In news
papers, pamphlets and books, IN speech
and sermon, sectarian assembly, political
convention and even in the Congress Of the
United States. We have been prescribed
al the bsllot box. The highest hOnors Of
the Republic are denied us by PREF udice
that has all the force OF a constitutional
enactment. In integrity, intellect and &C
comphshmenis, the equal Of our fellows
vet the instances are rare when Catholics
are
TENDERED EXALTED DISTINCTIONS.
The exercises of our holy religion as q
right are denied the suffering, the sick and
unfortunate in many institatiors Of chart
Is. and to criminals in prisons and peni-
tentiaries Though the rank and file OF
the army and navy are largely of our creed
the chaplains are fewer than the fingers oi
one hand. It is said that Catholic Indian'
have Protestant teachers. Churches have
been burnt, converts have been pillaged
and libraries destroyed. Aye, political
parties in the past have sOug-t to deprive
"a of our political rights, and we are
branded as tools Of foreign potentste and
unworthy to enjoy the name Of Ameri
cans.
The time has come, not Of our seeking
but in the course of events, when We, the
Roman Catholic lsity of the United States
can with propriety speak, can vindicste
ourselves-not by harsh words, heated re-
tort dor defiant threats, but calmly yet
firmly, charitably yet proudly, conscious
of the integrity of our motives and the im'
pregnability Of our position. We assert
that we are preeminently Americans thai
there would be no America; that the eontl
uent would be to-day unknown bad lt not
bsen for Roman Catholics and the Roman
Catholic Church; that that liberty which
ia the essence of all hberty-iree'
dom to worship GOd-was ttst
established in America by Ro
man Catholics and Roman Catholics
alone 1t was priests, aye, Jesuit mis-
sionaries. who first sought and explored
our land, penetrated into the wilderness
trseked the streams and gave sainted names
to localities, bays, lakes and rivers. The
rat worship here Of the true God was the
bolv racrifce of the mass. Catholic nations
we're the first to come TO the rescue Of OuI
revolutionary fathers in their war agains'
the greatest of Protestant powers. A
Roman Catholic was smOrg the signers Of
the Declaration of Independence. Tht
name of Archbishop Carroll is forever link
ed with BENJAMIN franklin in the mission
10 C.nads. Catholics have given heroes
to the Republic in every war; and in every
battle. on field or food: Catholics have
sealed their devotion with their lives.
TRUE TO AMERICA.
And nov the Roman Catholic laity of the
United States. for the first time IN Con,
press assembled, are here to proclaim TO sll
the world that their country Is tied tC
every fibre Of their hearts, and no mortal
mower can shake their loving allegiance &c
its constitution and lis laws. Why, truly
tbe hlood of the martyrs is the seed OF the