The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-24

connection of eaymen with the NTH con-
gress of German American Catholics. Inc
final meeting OF the congress, taxing place
tomorrow. EXCLUSIVELY for priests, and TO be
held in private, will, it is thought, be the
most important of the series, as the one at
which the question will be settled whether
the widely commented upon clerical
union" will continue under the leaders
that have given it fame or will select new
chieftains The principal work in which
the laymen participated was IN VOtihg
unanimously in approval of the plat
form of the congress, the framing OF
which was guided largely, if not ..altogeth-
er. by the clergy, who were well repre-
sented on the committee having the task
in hand
Replies to invitations to be present at
the congress were read tonight from a long
list Of prelates, including Archbishop Cor
rigan of New York. Archbishop COrrlgan
stated reason for absence was Ignorance
Of the German language. Almost breath
less attention was given by the congress
and spectators to Cardinal Gibbons reply
to the invitation to him. He wrote:
"While prevented by important engage
ments from being present, beg to assure
YOU of my deep interest in your proceed
ings. | regard the German element as a
most important factor in the development
of our country. | have no doubt that your
deliberations will be marked by allegiance
TO the holly father and by that sense of
moderation for which your countrymen
are noted. "
The platform, as presented tonight by
Father Faeber of st. Louis, like all other
portions of the proceedings was in Ger
man. Following is an authoritative trans
lation especially prepared by three of the
most prominent priests in the congress.
THE PLATFORM.
6GTTvo Co+hol;o from, oil yaTfc
of the United States assembled, offer our
most devoted affection TO the supreme head
of our holy church, and express our graft
tude for the holy fathers blessing
with delight the German-American
Catholic congress embraces also In this
year the opportunity of pointing out pub
licly and distinctly its position on the so
called Roman question-namely the tenn
poral power Of the pope. Besides the ex-
1reme religious importance of the question
itself. we, as faithful children of the
church, deem it our sacred duty TO make
this public declaration, for the reason that
the holy father himself, the most compe-
tent, and, indeed, the only competent
Judge in the matter, has never ceased both
TO proclaim solemnly and forcibly his in
violable rights to the territorial indepen-
dence Of the holy See and to encourage
Catholics to fearlessly defend these rights.
"As free American citizens we will not
tolerate any interference with the free
expressionSof ourViews on this extremely
important church matter. The objection,
or false supposition, that 1t is lnOppoTtune
to discuss openly the Roman question in
our country can only be explained by
tracing 1t to pitiable deception or to
want of courage in showing fearlessly our
true Catholic convictions. No national or
international principle in law, no sover-
igBity or people, can ever indorse or sane
Il.
freedom and Independence guaranteed TO
the head of the church by its Divine
Founder, and inJuring severely and en-
phatlCally the sacred interest of two
hundred million catholics. The entirely
free exercise of the highest apostolic
power according to Gods ordinance is
Intimately connected as well with the
welfare of the entire church as with the
territorial independence of the holy see,
willed by Divine Providence It is neces-
sSry in our present political and social
situation TO secure and accord that freedom
In the full meaning of the word.
Rome, as the metropolis of the Catho-
lic world. belongs to the pope, Qetter of
Leo XIII to Cardinal Rampola) who.
moreover. used the rights of sovereignty
acquired in justice and sealed by solemn
contracts for the welfare of Italy and
Europe and the whole world, as a true
benefactor of mankind. Recent events
especially the selection of our glorious
Telgning pontiff Leo XIII to settle by ar
bitration an international controversy,
the popeS recent excellent encyclical on
most important and burning topics, es
peciRlly on the condition of labor-have
proved sufficiently that the entire freedom
of the holy see would be of the greatest
Importance TO society, suffering already
from the many ailments of the present
century With confidence we leave it 10
IlIKfna hx-x Ia -,
toration of papal Independence will be
brought about-a secure power. In the
meantime, we will never cease TO courage
ously sustain the holy father and, in ac-
coraance with his acknowledgements one
IN his own sphere and according to his
nbility-to strive with all legal and legiti-
mate means 10 regain the freedom due to
the successor of st. Peter
In this respect we greet with the ut
most pleasure the idea suggested at the
recent Catholic congress in Germany, to
call aninternstional Catholic congress for
the purpose of urging the restoration OF
the temporal power of the pope as an inde-
pendent sovereign. For the reason that
political circumstances have prevented the
adoption Of said resolution in Europe. we
believe that our country Is the proper
place Tor holding such congress, since
we are not hampered by political prejudice /
and imperial lntrlgnes. As Catholics of
Ihc OnlltO states we consider II our hon. /
cred duty TO adept the resolution OF our
brethren in Europe. We believe that the
time has come when an international con
gress can convene for the purpose Of aiding (
IN the restoration of the pope's temporal I
power. We believe that no country ia the /
world Is better adapted for holdinC such |
a congress than the United States, and no I
time more opportune than the occasion of /
the worlds fair at Chicago in 1893 This. 1
eur cherished wish, we respectfully sub
init for the consideration and approval of 4
al our brethren in the Catholic faith. aud I
20 the good viii snd approval Of our eff 4
oient bishops, especially his eminence, our 4
beloved cardinal, James Gibbons. and /
lastly, with Iilial reverence and love. 10 /
the decision of our sovereign pontiff Leo /
Kill"
The platform then offers the holy father /
the most respectful and sincerest thanks /
Tor ms excellent eneyclicsl on the labor /
question; demands the liberty based on
natural rights and guaranteed BY the con-
stItutlon OF educating the German -Catho-
nc youth; emphatically protests against
every sttempt at interfering with that lib
erty by unjust legislation, protests against
every interference with parochial schools.
demands the full right and liberty 10 re-
Tam without interference the German |
mother-toRgUe, together with Z ne language
OF the country; states that the hepes for
the future are based on q ceutral union of
German young mems societies: renewS the
loImer declaration Of fidelity aud conf-
cence IN and attachment 10 the reverend