Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-28

the clergy and the laity have within the
past 30 years almost entirely outgrown
disposition, once prevalent in both orders,
to regard themselves and expect to be re-
garded by others us, in some sense, out of
place in this country. There is, indeed, a
very simple explanation of this change Of
view, since time has proved beyond all
doubt or cavil to any reasonable mind
that the Catholic church is not out of place
IN this country, and sensible Catholics
as well as sensible Protestants have merely
recognized an established fact. But il none
the less points a striking salutary moral to
governments Of all times and countries.
As Macaulay said, when urging the COM
plete enfranChsement of the Jews of Eng
land ut does not lie in the mouths Of
rulers to say that a sect is not patriotic.
II is there business to make il patriotic"
The ruler of our country that is TO say
the American people, has recognized its
duty and done its work and obtained its
reward. Catholics in the United States
were never really oppressed, and therefore
never really dlsaffected, but they were
once regarded with some measure of popu-
lar dislike and suspicion, and thus taught
to half believe themselves ont of sympathy
with our institutions. Here and there in
hooks and corners of our polity fingered
for many years trivial legal disabilities or
dictate that they had been at one time
rather endured than welcomed as fellow
countrymen as these have been swept
aside by the broader realization in national
thought any feeling, as well as in law, of
those principles of civil and religious lib
erty on which our government is founded,
the prejudice and sectarian spirit which
these petty limitations inilamed have faded
away. America has deserved well of the
Catholic church, for she has treated the
church, not with favor, always a source of
weakness and danger, but with an even
handed justice which gave room for sound
and healthy growth and in returned the
Catholic church has deserved well of
America. On this point ! may be, perhaps
preIudiced, but | know of no citizen more
heartily patriotic who better prizes the
blessings Of an orderly freedom or is more
firmly resolved to preserve them, than the
American Catholic layman of to-day.
When Mr.. Bonaparte had ceased
speaking the combined choirs sang
"Lauda Son." by Lambiotte, and
"Magnificat," by Mozart, after which
a choir of boys chanted "Iiaudate Dom
mum" The service concluded with
the doxology, which was sung by 36 of
Father Fallon's young chorus singers.
The combined chOirs were led by Il. j.
Curren and accompaniment was fur
nished by Miss Agnes Curley. Misses
Connor and Taggart sang beautifully.
Father Birmingham and others passed
collection plates and the people,
irrespective of denomination, recog-
MIXING the value of the popular young
priests efforts to elevate the young men
of the west side, contributed literally.
The collection amounted to about 5000
Immediately after the service several
hundred people inspected the new hall
The l}rownsOn Library Association,
formerly the Rebman Library Asso-
citation, now has 1856 active, AS contrib
uting and IL life members. It is the |
pet of Father Birmingham, whose aim
is TO elevate the young men of the west |
side. For four years he has been en-
to benefit them morally, in |
physically, socially and aes-
and it was mainly through |
his efforts that the association secured |
the new hall. lie obtained the site from
Bishop Curtis at reasonable price and
on the purchase made $4,000. The hall /
cost 81 900 Rentobtained from thestores
will pay the interest on the mortgage
and the association will have its rooms
free. Father Birmingham Is very popu-
lar with the young men, among whom
his name is like magic, ana he proposes
10 increase his laudable efforts in their
behalf Besides being assistant pastor
Of 81. Pauls Church he is chaplain of
the Brownson Library Association and
vice president of the Catholic Young
Mems National Union of America.
Father Fallon, pastor of St Paul's
Church, is also very popular with the
voting men, and whenever his pastoral
luias permit aids Father Birmingham
IN nj efforts in their behalf.
The new hall is at the north west
,Jrug III Fourth and jackson streets
i faces Fourth street, is a three-storied
45X70 feet, built of pressed
prick, with stone trimmings, and is ele-
santly finished throughout and will be
heated by steam. Stores occupy the
whole of the first floor, the library and
eception and class rooms are on the
econd and the lecture and music rooms
nd the gymnasium are ON the third.
The library is beautifully finished in
cypress and fitted up with book cases Z
which will hold 4,200 volumes. The
will be equipped with all .
he latest apparatus and will be one of
he best in the city. Special interest
will be taken in the literary work of the
ssociation and during the winter /
months competent instructors will be .
for the several classes. A
early course of lectures will also be 1
established in connection with the liter :
ry department and some of the ablest :
ecturers have already been secured for
ext season. Athletic, baseball, musical /
nd dramatic clubs have been organized. 9
The building committee is the Rev.
|. K Fallon, chairman; the Rev. w. j. I
secretary; d. j. Mention,
lperintendent; II. A. Sweeney, j. A. =
Ward, j. II. Callahan, r. II. Mention, NJ. i
:. Conway and John f. Ward, and the
ontractor is Z. Eahey.