Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-24
THE Fifth CONGRESS-
Of the German American Catholics
in Session at Buffalo.
THE FINAL MEETING TO-DAY,
At Which he Nest Important Qasshcn Of the
Gathering Will Come Up-Ths Platform
Adopted by tie 0angrsss-lt Deals
With Interesting NaitTs-ihs
Popes Power

BUFFALO, n. Y, Sept. 23.-Io-nlght
ended sll connection Of laymen with the
fifth Congress OF the German-Ameriean
Catholics. The final meeting OF the
Congress, taking place Tomorrow, ex-
clusively for priests, and 10 be held In
private, will, IL is thought, be the mos
important OF the series, as the one ~
which the question will oe settled
whether the widely commented on
clerical union" will continue under the
leaders that have given IT fame, or Will
select new chieftains. The prime cfpal
which the laymen participated In was in
voting unanimous approval OF the
platform OF the Congress.
Letters OF regret for absence from tho
Congress were read tonight from long
list OF names, among them being Arch
bishops Corrigan, OF New York, ana
Ryan, of Philadelphia.
Almost breathleSs attention was given
by the Congress and spectators 10 Car
dinal Gibbons letter In answer to on In
yitation to be present. He wrote;
awhile prevented by important engage
ments from being present, l beg 20 as
sure YOU OF my deep Inter
est in your proceedings. re-
gard the German element as n most
| Important factor in the development or
our country. As citizens and as Cath
olics they have gained an enviaole
reputation. have no doubt that your
deliberations will be marked by allie
Rience TO the holy Father, and by that.
sense OF moderation for which your
countrymen are noted
The platform as presented by tather
Faeber, Of ST. Louis, LIKE all the other
portions OF the proceedings was In
| German. Following arc abe most I'M
portant extracts from II:
We, Catholic Germans from oil parts
OF the United States, assembled IN tho
fifth Catholic Congress In Buffalo, has
ten 10 first offer our model affection 20
the supreme head OF our holy church.
| We express our gratitude for the Holy
Fathers blessing, and promise anew
AID for all times, In our name ana Ia
the name OF tho congregations and so
cieties represented by Us, our hlla de-
yotlon and unfailing feslty. With do
light the German-American Congress
embraces also In this year theopportoa-
| ity of pointing out publicly and dis
tinctiy its position on the so-cslied Bo-
man question, namely, the temporal
power OF the Pope.
'As free American citizens wa VIII
not tolerate any Interference with tho
| free expression OF our Views, on this
extremely important church matter.
| The objection or false supposivon that
IL Is indeed inopportune 10 discuss open
ly the Roman question In our country.
can only be explained by tracing II 70 .
pitiable deception, or 10 tho want OF
courage. In showing fearlessly our
truly Catholic convictions. Rome
as the natural seat OF the
napacy. as the centrum OF
| the Church, as the metropolis OF tho
Catholic world belongs 20 the Popes
Geo Mi. 20 Cardinal Rampolla), who
moreover urged the rights OF sovereign
ty acquired on justice and scaled ~ sol
ann contracts, for the welfare OF Italy
and Europe and the whole world az true
benefaetors Of mankind. With cOnh-
dence we leave IL 70 divine providence
by what means the restoration OF
pspal independence will be brought
| about by secular power. In tho
meantime we will never cease
20 courageously sustain the Holy Faith
ar and I'm accordance With his inten-
tions and admonitions, everyone IN his
own sphere, and according 70 his ablll-
| " the right OF the head OF the Catholic
| church, aud 20 strive with all legal and
legitimate means 20 regain the freedom
| IN the successor OF ST. Peter. In this re-
spect we greet with the utmost pleasure
| the idea suggested at the recent CatbO-
lie Congress held 10 Germany, 70 call
an International Catholic Congress, for
the purpose Of urging the restoration
OF temporal power OF the Pope a. an In
! dependent sovereign.
ave believe that no country Ia the
world Is better adapted for holding such
a congress than the United States, and
that no time more opportnne that tho
/ occasion OF the Worlds Fair IN Chicago
in 1898.
ave offer the Holy Father our most
respectful ard sincerest thanks for the
excellent eacycllcal on the labor
question. We protest against every
/ interference with our pafochikl
| &C polls, and especially we condemn the
| sO-Calie0 fObRDhtepsle plhDs ~ WuftA
religion has been made a side show aud
hence can have little or no religions To-
nuence in education. We dsmand the
full right and liberty 70 retain without
interference from any one our German
| mother tongue together with tho Ian
| guage Of the country.
I'VE protest against all attempts 70
encrosch upon the rights Of the Indians
ia the selection and practice OF their re-
ligion. We protest In the name OF lio-
erty and justice against the attempts
that are being made 90 withdraw from
the Indian schools the support Of tho
government under the hypocritical plea
Of supporting the public schools, mas
much as hereby there Is openly declared
opposition against Christian education,
and especially against the Catholic
Church."
At the young mems meeting the FOL-
lowing oficers were elected: Rev. Bern
hard Heht, Of Pittsburg, National Presi-
dent; Philip SCHNEIDER, Of New York,
VIce-President; Chas. G. Och, OF Pitts
burg, Recording Secretary; Joseph Rei-
man, OF Pittsburg. Corresponding Sec
retary; Joseph Matt, Of Buffalo. Finau-
clal Secretary; Henry Ress, Of 81.
Louis, Treasurer.