The Irish standard., 1892-09-17


Marvellous as has been the growth OF
the population, Catholics have out
stripped all. From 10000 they have be-
come lO,O0O,O00. From despised peo-
pie they are mighty power. In every
avenue of industry and intellect they are
the peers Of their tellow-men. Their
schools and colleges, libraries, asylums
and hospitals are scattered near and far.
In every village, steeple or tower tipped
with the cross tell where the Catholics
pray. In every town splendid churches
gather each morning thousands OF wor-
shippers. In every metropolis q Cathe-
dral lifts it's massive walls high above
surrounding piles, or with It's stately
dome crowns the citY's brow.
Our grand old Church ie the protector
of learning. She it was who rescued the
inestimable jewels of classic lore from
the ruins of the Roman Empire, pre-
ciously preserved through the convnl-
sions of a thousand years and gave them
to the printers art to enrich the learn
ing, elevate the style and adorn the liter
ature of every language to the end of
time {applause) She is the pioneer of
civilization. She was the founder Of
States, the framer OF laws, the conserya-
tor of order, the champion of the people
against the encroachment of tyrants.
She it was that struck the chains from
the white serfs of the Old World Zap
plause). She it is that beholds kneeling
around her affairs the black and the
white, the rich and the poor, the savage
of the forest, the royalty of the palace, the
statesmen of the cabinet, and the philoso
pher of the school. She is the patron of
art and the theme of the poet. 1t is the
Catholic Church that guards the home,
sanctifes marriage, elevates woman and
places the Blessed Mother nearest the
Saviour (applause).
1t is the Catholic Church, while ever
striving for the good of mortals here be-
low, bends her sublime and heaven-ap-
pointed mission to the one supreme as
piration OF fitting her children for the
regions of eternal bliss.
The shadow of an imposing event be-
gins to move. The people of the United
States, aye, of the hemisphere, are
preparing to celebrate the 400th annlver-
sary of the discovery of America. We
especially rejoice in this resolve. That
tremendous event, with reverence may
say the second creation, the finding OF q
new world, and the vast results that
flowed to humanity, all can be traced
directly to the Roman Catholic Church
alone (applause). Professionalism was
unknown when America was discovered.
Let the students, the scholars, poets, his
torians, search the archives of Spain, the
libraries of Europe, and the deeper the
research the more the glory will adorn
the brow of Catholicity. It was g. pious
Catholic who conceived the mighty
thought. It was when foot-sore and
down-hearted, at the porch of monas-
tory, hope dawned on him. 1t was a
monk who first encouraged him. It was
a Cardinal who intercedsd with the
sovereign of Spain. 1t was Catholic
king who fitted out the ships, and a
Catholic queen who offered her jewels as
pledge (applause). 1t was Catholic
Columbus, with Catholic crew, who
sailed away out for months upon an un-
known sea, where ship had never sailed
before. 1t was to spread the Catholic
Faith that the sublime risk was run. It
was the hymn to the Blessed Mother
with which captain and crew closed the
perils of the day and inspired with hope
the morrow. It was the holy cross, the
standard of Oatholicity. that was borne
from the ships to the shore, and planted
on the new-found world. 1t was the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that was the
first, and for over hundred years, the
only Christian worship on the Continent
which Catholic named America Zap
plause).
Why, the broad seal of the Catholic
Church is stamped forever on the four
corners of the Continent. Therefore. let
ue, in mind, heart ndsoul, rejoice at the
triumph of our country and glory in our
creed, The one gives us constitutional
freedom on earth, the other, if faithful to
it's teachings, ensures an eternity in
heaven. Great applause).
Mr. Doherty followed this up by a
masterly lecture, Fair Play to Catho-
lics,'' given before great audience in
Boston Theatre, g few months later, un
der the patronage OF the 7. N. G. A. OF
Boston College, and afterwards repeated
in many American cities.
The great orators Of the American ros.
trum are now silent to the present gener-
alton. Phillips, Cough, Giles, Beecher and
the rest OF them are gone. With the ex- q
sception Of Ingersoll, Daniel Dougherty
was the only surviving orator With y the
HA -