The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-01-04

ST. so PER Z EAR
institutions exist for. The mines ot
the old world sent their metals here,
where fiery life melts them all into
lone; nationalities are here fused and
mingled and blended into one. and this
is IA new nationality. Bronze is made
OF tin and copper, but is neither one nor
the other but new metal. So our
population is made up of the races OF
the old world but it is itself a new race,
and its aspiration is towards progress
and ;ntelli ,ence and liberty, the dignity
Of man and his capability to govern
himself.
Hence it is the duty Of all who love
both God and country to show that
Catholicity is a religion based ON the
dignity of human nature Freedom Of
will is an article of Catholic faith. The
personal merit Or demerit of human
conduct is also an article of Catholic
faith. Joined to these is the funda-
mental principle that God wills all men
equally to be saved from SIN, and gives
to each one full opportunity to attain TO-
his eternal destiny, union with God
hereafter. Is the American state pro-
gressive? The Catholic Church teaches
that the true religion is essentially pro-
gressive; 1t elevates a man higher and
higher above his natural condition,
bringing him ever nearer to union with
God in enlightenment and holiness.
Does the American state postulate
human dignity and equality? Cath
olicity teaches that man is made after
divine model and that all are by nature
equal in their essential characteristics:
it teaches that christening, but empha-
sizes these qualities when it raises man
to the divine sonshlp of Jesus Christ.
Do Americans love intelligence? Cath
olicity demands it, for it is religion Of
exact PRINCIPLES. appealing no less to
reason than to faith. Do Americans
aspire after national union and great
ness? Here is the world church, whose
organization embraces the nations in a
spiritual unity no wise injurious to
separate national integrity. Do Amer
leans demand a strong government,
protecting free men? The Catholic
Church uses external methods of power
full authority to establish the enjoyment
Of liberty of spirit in each mans soul.
1t is the duty Of all Catholics in high
place 70 show forth this parallel in their
onward march if they both make for
human happiness. La the middle ages
the Church taught the barbarous an
cestors of the modern races to plough
the ground, and plant and reap the
crops, and build and live in peaceful
dwellings,. To-day the Church shduld
be foremost in teaching men how to
use the ballot honestly and lntelligently.
1t is our business to show that Catholics
are not simply servants Of God, but
that they are true men, and that the
| Church produces independent. trust
worthy characters. The true Catholic
| is independent Of men, and yet loves
them as brethren. He knows legitimate
authority from usurpation, obeys the
one with facility, and resists the other
unto blood. The Catholic must show
himself able to use the arts of industry,
enjoy tue privileges OF wealth. and yet
love God above all things and his neigh
bor as himself. The business OF the
Church IS to make the best Christians
Of the very men who are emphaticallv
the men of the age.
1t is right to say that we should hate
heresy, apostacy and rebellion Of Cath
olics against their Church. But we
Catholics should also hate bribery and
corruption In Office, trading in votes
and all the vices Of low-grade politics.
How we should hate intemperance aud
saloons. how we should lOathe obscene
literature, foul pictures and statues and
lewd plays! How, on the other hand,
we should cultivate the natural virtues
which make men good citizens, kindly
neighbols and successful men Of busi-
ness. Without the natural virtues
Christianity is Of little force III this
age. There is no coward SO mean as q
pious one. There is no more con-
temptible creature alive than Catholic
political huckster. There is no such
sham in the world as that which pre-
tends to the virtue Of the Christian and
lacks that of the man. Manhood is q
condition Of Christian virtue. A Cath.s
|olic frequenting the sacraments and
lacking truthfuiness, honesty and tens
perance, is Like q man with q clean
shlrt, but crawling with vermin. or Is
bind man with gold spectacles, or q ]
gold ring on a paralYzed hand. The
sneak and the coward are not the
products Of the grace Of God. If the
religion you profess does nor require
manhood as condition or bring ont
manhood as a result, then there ls22
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