The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-13

say we are worthy of our religion. The
country to be conquered Is heaven. Doh't
go home TO sleep, but to work. Go back
true Catholics
THE.PLATFORM.
Judge Morgan J. O'Brien of the New
York state supreme court presented the
report Of the platform committee, which is
long and comprehensive 1t says:
The meeting of the first congress Of the Cath
Ole laymen in the United States to celebrate
the hundredth anniversary OF the establishment
OF the American hierarchy, is an event OF the
greatest Importance to our church and the
country.
1t would seem eninently proper that we, the
laymen OF the church, should meet and renew
our allegiance to the doctrines we profess;
that we should show to our fellow countrymen
the true relations that exist between state and
church; that we obey and love the government
OF our choice; that We should proclaim that
unity of sentiment upon all subjects presented
To us which has ever been a source Of the Cath
olic strength, and that in a spirit of perfect
charity toward every denomination, we should
freely exchange our Views in relation to all
matters which affect us as members Of the
Catholic church.
TRUE AMERICANS.
In the first place, then, we rejoice at the
marvellous development of our country, and re-
gard with just pride the part taken by the
Catholics In such development. We repudiate
with equal earnestness the assertion that We
need TO lay aside any Of our devotedness to our
church to be true Americans, and the insinua-
tion that we need to abate any of love for our
country's principles and institutions to be faith
ful Catholics.
IN FAVOR OF EDUCATION.
We recognize, next in Importance to religion
itself, education as one Of the chief factors in
forming the character of the Individual, the
virtue of the citzen and promoting the advance
of true civilization. Therefore we are COM
mitted to sound, popular education which
demands not only the physical and intellectual,
but also moral and religious training of our
youth. AS in the state schools no provision is
made for teaching religion we must continue to
support our own schools colleges and universi-
ties already established, and multiply and
perfect others so that the benefits of christian
education may by brought within the reach of
every Catholic child within these United
States.
THE CHRISTIAN HOME.
We also recognize among the three
great educational agencies, besides the
church and theschool, the chris
tian home. THE root of the common
wealth is in the homes Of the people" What
ever imperils its permancy, security and peace
is blow aimed, not only at individual rights
but is an attempt to subvert civil society and
christian civilization. Therefore we denounce
the existence and development Of Mormonism
and the tendency to multiply the causes of
divorces Ut1cuL0, as plague spots on our ctvili-
zation, discredit TO our government, degrade
ton OF the female sex and standing menace
to the sanctity of the marriage bond.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Another danger which menaces our republic
is the constant conflict between capital and
labor We therefore at all times must view
with feelings Of regret and alarm any antago-
nism existing between them, because thereby
society itself is imperiled
With the church we condemn nihilsn, social
ism and communism, and we equally condemn
the heartless greed of capital.
THE CHURCH AS 4 MEDIATOR.
A remedy must be sought in the mediation of
the church through her action on individual
conscience and thereby on society, teaching
each its respective duties as well as rights; and
in such civil enectments as have been rendered
necessary by these altered conditions. AS
stated by His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons.
'labor has its sacred rights as well as its
dignity. Paramount among the rights of the
laboring classes Is their privilege to organize
and to form themselves into societies for their
mutual protection and benefit. In honoring
and upholding labor, the nation is strengthen
ing its own hands as well as paying tribute to
worth. For contented and happy working
classes are the best safeguard Of a
republic" The amelioTation and promotion of
physical and moral culture of the negro race is
a subject of the utmost concern. and we pledge
ourselves to assist our clergy in all ways tend
ing to effect any Improvement in their condi-
zion.
There are many christian issues in which
Catholics could come together with non
Catholics, and shape civil legislation for the
public veal. In spite of rebuff and injustice,
and overlooking zealotry, we should seek
alliance with on-Catholics for proper Sunday
observance. Without going over to the Judaic
Sabbath, we can bring the masses over to mod
GRAFTON of the christian Sunday. To effect this,
we must set our faces Sternly against the sale
of intoxicating beverages on Sunday.
A TEMPERANCE PLANK.
The corrupting influence of saloons in politics
and the crime and pauperiSnAa resulting from
excessive drinking require Legislative restric-
ton, which we can aid ip, procuring by joining
our influence with that of other enemies of in
temperance. Let us resolve that drunkenness
shall be made odious, and give practical en-
couragement and suppoctto the Catholic tenn,
perance societies We favor the passage and
enforcement of laws rigidly closing saloons on
Sunday, and forbidding the sale Of liquors to
minors and intoxicated persons.
CATHOLIC READING.
Efforts should be made to promote Catholic
reading. 1t is our duty to support literally
good Catholic journals and books and acquaint
ourselves with Catholic doctrines and opinion
on important questions constantly coming to
to the front and demanding right answers and
lust practical solutions.
CHURCH SINGING.
AS fast as practicable we hope for the intro
duction of proper church music in ali our
churches where other music is heard.
Music should help devotion at divine service
and not be such as tends to divert the mind
from heavenly thoughts. Efforts should be
made to have the congregation join in the Sing
ing, Catholic custom formerly but practiced
in only few cnurcheS noWad ayS.
POWER OF THE POPE.
We cannot conclude without recording our
solemn conviction that absolute freedom of the
holy see is equally indispensable to the peace
of the church and welfare of mankind. We
demand in the name of humanity and justice
tnat this freedom be scrupulously respected by
all secular governments. We protest against
the assumption by any such government of the
right to affect the interests or control
the action of our holy father by any form
of legislation or other public act to which his
full appreciation has not been previously given,
and we pledge to Leo XIII, our worthy pontiff,
to whose hands almighty God has com
mitted the helm of Peters bark amid the
tempests of this stormy age, the loyal sympathy
and unstintsd aid OF all his spiritual chill
dren in vndcating that perfect liberty which
he Justly claims as his sacred and nalienable
right
RECEIVED WITH APPLAUSE.
Rapt silence, interrupted at intervals by
storms OF applause, marked the reading of
the platform. The planks on education,
labor and Sunday observance were received
with the greatest demonstrations.
On motion of Daniel E. Rudd, a negro
delegate from Cincinnati, the report, with
out discussion, was adopted without dissent
ing voice.
At this point was undoubtedly the climax
of the congress, but the other proceedings
of the day were full of absorbing interest.
The convention then adjourned sine die
THE ToRCHLIGHT PROCESSION.
Forty thousand torches were carried
n fhsao Oh NJ Halt inn ~