Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-09
AN ERICAN CATHOLICS.
OBJECTS OF THB GREAT NATIONAL CON
GRBSS AT BALTIMORE
Catholics Second to None N Their Love for American
Ilsliutons- Unity Of the Church-Ths
Cause Of EducadOn-The Pops's
Temporal Power

BALTIMORE, November $40 event in
the history of the Catholic Church in this
country has attracted attention more wide
spread than the centennial of the estsb-
lishment of the first diocesan zee, which is
to be celebrated in Baltimore daring next
week. But the great concourse of people
who have signi6ed their intention TO be
present will be something more than
monster gathering with the sole purpose of
celebrating centennial. II will really be
congress composed of the Catholic people
of every State and Territory in the United
States, and that congress, like every other
we'll -orgAnizsd, representative body, has
work TO perform nd obi to accom-
plish.
OBJECTS OF THE CONGRESS.
Based upon information obtained from
proper and reliable sources | sm able to
state, in general way, the principal OBJ
iec;s Of the Congress. In the first place, it
is proposed to demonstrate, rot only to the
cit zsns of this country, of all Creeds, but
TO the world at large, That the Catholics OF
the Uaited States are second to none in
their love for America and American insti-
tutions and in their allegierce, loyalty and
devotion to the constitution and the laws
of the land.
Another, and one of the most important
matters upon which the Congress is 10 take
action, and it will probably express in
languages that cannot admit OF either mis-
construction or misunderstanding, is the
political environment Of the Pope. twill
be the aim OF the Congress, and particular
pains will be taken to show that the Cath
olics of the u nited States are in hearty ac-
cord with their brethren in faith all over
tn world in supporting the position 30
firmly taken by their spiritual head, be-
lieving that the time has come for a public
expression of disappFoval OF the course pur-
sued by the Italian government toward the
| Holy See and tn NJ respect must be shown
for the rights and property OF the church
sithin tie territories of which, "a 1t IL
claimed, she has been unjustly despoiled.
Tney will not sue for favor, but will de-
mand in the name of right and justice
only what they aver the Holy See is en-
titled TO. including the absolute independ-
ence of the Supreme Head of the Church,
as indispensable to the proper administra-
tion OF his holy Office. Indeed, it may be
expected that the action Of the Congress IN
this matter will proclaim that the Roman
question is not, as has 20 often been pro-
! ounced, dead and buried"
CATHOLIC UNITY.
Another obi 3ct, or rather result of the
Congress- will be to demonstrate the unity
of the entire Catholic body. 1t will, after
Ali be more a natural result than q set
purpose. for there will hardly be any ex
traneous effort made to do this. IL is held
to be unnecessary, for the proceedings OF
the Congress are anticipated to be 30 er-
tirely harmonious that the unity will
demonstrate itself. Indeed, the highest
proof of that, Gays q prominent layman,
NAV be found in the unanimity of the
sentiment among Catholics in favor Of the
independence of the Pope.
Still another achievement looked for Is
the correction of the Misrepresentation IN n
part of the public mind that the relations
b tween the hierarchy OF the Church-the
bishops-and certain orders Of the regular
clergy are uot as amicable as might be de-
sired. For instance, it WAS brulted some
time apo that the Jesuits were jaalnus OF
the Washington UniversiIy and that they
would throw every object in the way of its
success.
THE QUESTION OF EDUCATION.
There is one other topic, and most
important one it is, too, that may he
taken up and discussed; that ia, the ques-
ton Of the education OF the young and the
public schools and other school systens
The position Of the Congress upon this
question will be that OF strong, vigorous
advocacy of education for the masses
Educstion and enlightenment are recog-
nizsd as necessary for good government
and essential to the maintenance and well
being of oar republican institutions. A
thoreugh secular education is admitted to
IA INDISPENSABLE. Catholics desire that
all yonpg men he familiar with the
history of their own and other countries,
o,d to have \ particular knowledge OF the
soiIit of the insti, ntiOns of free America,
so that they may fully appreciate the
blessings of liberty aud freedom and
glorify the country where these things
exist.
Bat while recognizing the importance OF
secular education, the need OF religions
training at the same lime will he insisted
upon. The two muat 90 hand in hand.
They are auxiliaries and SAT- guards to
one another.
THE PAROCHGAL SCHOOLS.
With reference to Catholic parcchial
schoola it is not improbable that
public expression may be given TO the
very general opinion among Catholics that
they ought to he made public schools
Catholics are willing that their psrochinl
schools be placed under the super
vision of the school boards
The proI ition would probably
be in the direction of inviting the
school boards to subject the teachers in
those schools 10 the same course OF exam
iuaton as the public school teachers un-
dergo, and pass upon their fitness as in.
structors by either rejecting or indorsing
them. They will be satisfied 10 place the
parochial schools, so far as the regulation
of the secular branches 10 be taught is con-
cerned, entirely in the hands of the school
boards, the church authorities reseIvlrg
the right to select teachers for those schoO!s
from amorg the number who may have
satisfactorily passed the secular examina,
tion required by the school boards. And
it would be expected that this arrange
ment would embrace provision for the
support of the Catholic teachers out OF the
public school fund.
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