The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-24
PROTESTS AND DEMANDS.
The German Catholics in Congress
Adopt Platform Of Ring
ing Sentences.
They Say Something Particularly
Interesting on the Question
Of Schools.

Lotters Of Regret From Leading Catholic
DisnitarIes OF tho COuntry-Im>
portant Offices Filled.
BUFFALO, N. Y. Sept. 23.-To-day's ses-
sion of the Priesten Verein was occupied
solely with debates as to the method OF
electing their officers and similar subjects.
II Ia understood that letter was read from
Archbishop Elder, of Cincinnati, favoring
the use of that language to inculcate the
first Christian principles where German ID
a common language in the family. In the
afternoon the final session of the German
American Catholic Young Mems association
was held. The association was reported as
having tifty-three branch societies, located
mainly in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Tonight ended all connection of laymen
with tho Fifth congress Of German-Ameri-
can Catholics. The final meeting to-mor-
row will be exclusively for priests and is to
be hold in private. 1t will, it is thonght,
bo the most important of the series, as the
question will be settled whether the widely
commented upon clerical union" will con-
tiaue under leaders that have given fame,
or will select new chieftains. The princi-
pal work in which laymen participated was
in voting unanimous approval of the
platform, the framing of which was guided
largely, If not altogether, by clergy. Re-
plies to invitations to be present at the
congress were read tonight from long
list of prelates, including Archbishops
Corligan, Ryan and Riordan, and Bishop
MoQuaid. of Rochester. Archbishop Cor
rigan stated his reason for his absence was
Ignorance of the German language
Almost breathless attention was given to
Cardinal Gibbons reply to the invitation.
He wrote: "While prevented by important
engagements from bong present, I beg to
assure you Of my deep interest IN your pro-
osedings. / regard the German element
the most important factor in the develop
ment Of our country. AS citizens and as
reputation. I have no doubt your delibera-
tions will be marked by allegiance to the
holy father and by the sense of moderation
for which your countrymen arc noted"
| Interesting papers on general topics were
read during the; evening. The platform aa
proceedings, was in German. Following is
an authoritative translation, prepared by
three most prominent priests in the con-
gress.
1--WE Catholic Germans of the United
States, assembled in the fifth congress-
offer first most devoted affection to the gu
preme head of the holy church. We .ex-
press gratitude tor the holy fathers bles-
sing and promise anew and for all time
tilial devotion and unfailing fealty. With
( delight the congress embraces the opportu-
nifty of pointing out publicly and distinctly
the position on the so-called Roman ques-
tion of temporal power of the pope. Deem
declaration and encourage Catholics to
fearlessly defend these rights. AS free
American citizens We will not tolerate any
interference with the free expression of our
views on this extremely important church
matter. The false supposition that it is in.
opportune to discuss openly the Roman
question in our country could only be ex-
planned by the want of courage in showing
our truly Catholic Convictions. The en-
tirely free exercise of the highest apostolic
power is intimately connected with the wei
fare of the entire church: 1t is necessary
to secure and accord that freedom IN lts
full meaning of the word.
The pope's recent excellent encyclicals or
the most important and burning topics
especially on the condition of labor, have
proved sufficiently that the entire freedom
of the holy see would be of greatest i'm
many ailments of the present century. Will
confidence we leave to divine providence
by what means restoration of papal indie
pondence will be brought about by secula
power. In the meantime we will mover ceas
to courageously sustain the holy father
every one to strike with all legal ana legltl
mate means to regain freedom for the sue
cessor of st. Peter. For reason, politica
circumstances have prevented the adoption
of said revolution in Europe. Since we ar
not hampered by uolitical prejudice ant
intrigues we believe our country the prope
place for holding such congress-.
Catholics we consider it our duty to adop
the resolution of our brethren in Europe
believing the time had come when holdin!
an international congress can convene 10
the peoples temporal power. NO tim
for holding such congress could be NOR
opportune than the occasion of the World
fair in Chicago in '93. We submit this fo
consideration and approval of all ou
brethren in tho Catholic faith, our bishops
his eminence Cardinal Gibbons, of Balti
more. and our sovereign .pontif Leo MI.
1--WE offer the holy father our SINGER
thanks for his excellent encyclical on tn
labor question. As faithful children Of tn
| Catholic church, we believe it supertluou
, to state to state that we shall use all ou
efforts to execute practically the principle
therein laid down, and secure for them tn
} recognition of the public at large, belieN
, ing them to be the solution or this mos
: important question of day"
"Liberty, based on the natural and con
stitutional rights of educating our youth
is the boon which we demand. and we mos
emphatically protest against every inte
ference with that liberty by unjust legisla
t ton. We declare that education withou
religious basis cnn be but the productive c
OWL results. We protest, therefore, aGains
j, every interference with our paroohi'
schools, and especially condemn the sc
called "Poughkoepsie plan" IN whloh n
ligion has been made side show, an
= hence oan have little or no religious inflt
> ence on education.
"We demand the full right and liberty
o retain without interference our GetmR
4 mother tongue, together with tho languas
of our country. At the same time we pre-
test most emphatioally thnt for this reaso
the cry of foreignism Ia raised against u
4 and that an attempt Is made at donyli
equal rights with other American citizen
Our hopes tor the future are based on VI
central union of German young mems 81
oietiep, so successfully brought about
= Pittsburg. We teiterate confidence IN ar
I alta aohmpnts to the reverend bishops ot II
0 United States. We protest against all a
I tempts to enoroach upon the rights of, II
. dams in the selection and practice OF the
/ religion. We protest in the name OF II
a erty and justice against tho attempts beii
= made to withdraw from Indian schools u
y support Of the government under the hyp
critical plea Of supporting public schoo
innsmuch as there is hereby openly declar
opposition against Christian education. NJ