The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-24
PRIESTEN VEREIN.
Fifth Congress Of German
American Catholics.
A Session Devoted to Important Debates
and Letter Reading.
Replies 10 Invitations Received From Prom
inent PrelateS-A Platform Ulall.
mOuSly Adopted.


lluu WHtIc dcIuIdH 10 lhc COhi-
mon language of the family. In the after
noon the final session of the German-Amer-
ican Catholic Young Mems Association was
held. The association was reported as hav-
ing fifty three branch societies located mainly
in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
The following officers were elected: Rev.
Bernard He'll of PittSburg, National Presi-
dent; Charles Och of PittsDurg, Recording
Secretary; Joseph Beiman OF Pittsburg,
Corresponding Secretary; Joseph Matt Of
Buffalo. Financial Secretary. Archbishop
Katzer of Milwaukee was chosen Protector
of the Central Band of German Catholic
Young Men Of the United States.
The business session of the congress this
afternoon was occupied much Of the time
by Mr. Wilderman of New Yorkin explain
ing the modus operandi of the Carl Baro-
mean Society of Germany, and organization
for distributing German Catholic literature.
The meeting appointed a committee to con-
slider the adyisability of establishing
branches of the society In the United
States. a resolution was also passed pro-
viding for the selection of a committee to
bring about the reunion of the old German
Central Society" and the "Katolischentag.
Tonight ended all connection of the lay
men with the fifth congress of German
American Catholics. The final meeting to-
morrow, exclusively for priests aud to be
held in private. will, it is thought, be the
most important of the series, as the question
will lie settled whether the widely COM
mented upon Clerical Union" will continue
under the leaders that have given it fame or
-, ,aI
work in which laymen participated was in
voting unanimous approval of the plat
form, the framing of which was guided
largely, if not altogether by the clergy.
Replies to invitations to be present al the
congress were read tonight from a long list
OF prelates, including ArchblshopS Corri-
gan, Ryan and Riordan and Bishop Nc
Quade of Rochester. Archbishop Corrigan
stat ed that the reason for his absence was
Ignorance of the German language AL
most breathless attentions was given Cardl-
nal Gibbons reply to bis invitation. He
wrote: "Whle prevented by important en-
sagements from being present, l beg to as
sure you of my deep interest IN your
proceedings. l regard the German ele-
ment most important factor in
the development OF our country. AS
citizens and as Catholics, they have gained
enviable reputation. l have no doubt the
deliberations will be marked by allegiance
10 the Holy Father and by sense of moder-
alton Tor which your countrymen are
noted"
An interesting paper on general topics
was read during THE evening. The plat
form, as presented tonight, like all portions
of the proceedings, was in German. Fol-
lowing is au authoritative translation, pre-
pared by three of the most prominent priests
in the congress.
The Catholic Germans Of the United
States, assembled in the fifth congress.
offer first our most devoted affection to the
Supreme Head of the Holy Church, ex-
press our gratitude for the Holy Fathers
blessing, and promise new and for all
time flial devotion and unfailing fealty.
With delight the congress embraces the
opportunity OF pointing out publicly and
distinctly its position on the so-called
Roman question, the temporal power OF the
POpe deeming IL our sacred duty TO make
this public declaration and encourage Cath
olics to fearlessly defend their rights as free
American citizens. We will not tolerate any
interference with the free expression of cur
views on this extremely important church
matter. The false suppositiOn that it is in
opportune to discuss the Roman question in
our country could only be explained by a
want of courage IN showing our truly Cath
Olic convictions.
The entirely free exchange of the highest
apostolic DOW er is intimately connected with
the welfare of the entire church. 1t is
necessary to secure and accord that freedom
in its full meaning OF the word. The Pope's
recent encyclicals on most important and
burning topics, especially on the condition
of labor, hive proved sufficiently that the
entire freedom of the Holy See would be
of the greatest importance to society, suffer-
ing already from many ailments of the
present century.
With confidence we leave IL to divine
Providence by what means the restoration
OF Papal independence will be- brought
about by secular power. In the meantime
we will never cease to courageously sustain
the Holy Father, and ever strive with all
legal and legitimate means to regain the
freedom due the successor OF st. Peter For
the reason that political circumstances have
prevented the adoption of said resolution in
Europe, since we are not hampered by pOlit-
ical prejudice and intrigues, we believe our
country the proper place tor holding such
congress. AS Catholics, we consider it our
duty to adopt the resolution of our brethren
in Europe, believing til time has come for
holding an international congress for the
purpose of aiding the restoration OF the
POpe's temporal power, and that no time
for holding such congress could be moro
oppOTtuue than the occasion of the Worlds
Fair at Chicago In 1893.
We submit this for the consideration and
approval of all our brethren in the Catholic
faith, our Bishops, his Emnence Cardinal
Gibbons of Baltimore, and our Sovereign
Pontff Leo Kill We offer the Holy Father
our sncerest thanks for his excellent ency-
ciical on the labor question. AS faith
full children of the Catholic Church we be-
lieve it. superfuous to state that we shall
use all Sur efforts to execute practically the
principles therein laid down, and secure
them recognition Of the public at large,
believing them to be solution of this most
important question Of the day.
Liberty, based on natural and constitu-
tional rights of educating our youth, Is a
boon which we demand, and we most en-
phatically protest against every Interference
with that liberty by unjust legislation. We
declare that education without religious
basis can be but productive of evil results
We protest therefore, against every inter-
ference in our parochial schools, and especi-
ally condemn the so-caled "POughkeopsit"
plan, in which religion has been made a
side-shcw, and hence can have little or no
religious influence In education.
We demand full right and liberty to re-
tain without interference our German
mother tongue, together with the language
Of our country. Al the same time we pro-
test most emphatically that for this reason
the cry Of foreignism Is raised against us
and that an attempt is made at denying us
equal rights with other American citizens.
Our hopes for the future are based on the
central union OF German young mems So
cieties, so successfully brought about
in Pittsburg. We reiterate our con-
fdence in aud attachments to the
reverend Bishops of the United
States; protest against all attempts 10 en-
croach upon the rights OF Indians in the
selection and practice of their religion; pro-
test, in the name OF liberty and justice,
against attempts being made to Withdraw
from the Indian schools the support of the
Government under the hypocritical plea Of
supporting public schools. inasmuch as 1t has
thereby openly declared opposition against
Christian education and especially against
the Catholic Church.
The platform closes with resolution OF
regret at the death of the late member of
the German Reichstag. Herr Windthorst,
and pays tribute of gratitude to his mem