The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26
bAu &C. eNN1r.

You wish 20 know what ! think Ameri-
can Catholics have 10 be thankful for
In this year Of our Lord 1898 No doubt
in this general question you do not in
clude the graces end blessings given by
God 10 the individual soul through His
spiritual channels. the holy sacrifice of
the mass and the sacraments instituted
by our Lord. These blessings are being
showered upon us at all times and are
a constant cause for thanksgiving to
God, our common father. and Of love
and gratitude TO Jesus Christ, cur broth
er and tCdeemer. TO be more specific, I
presume you mean by your question
what cause we have for Thanksgiving
as regards temporal advantages and
blessings
/ think we have many.
First; the Columbian Exposition at
Chicago. What a recognition by this
great republic of scientific and humane
achievement which has brought the hap
plness of home and the glorles Of liberty
TO millions Of oppressed. This achieve
ment. the discovery Of America, was
undertaken in the name OF God and
science. IL was inaugurated by a Catho-
lie sovereign and the navigator who as
sumed to carry out the intention Of
Isabella was a devout Catholic and a
persevering Christian scholar. This great
republic, not Catholic, has recognized
the act Of Catholic nation and by this
wisely commemorated its memory. The
general conduct Of the United States
has done much TO break down religious
prejudice and force all citizens of the
republic to see the advantages Of re-
hgious liberty. This certainly is a reason
for all thanksgiving.
We have special reasons 10 be thank
In
Leo XIII. a year ago determined to
send a representative to this country.
When that representative arrived on
these shores he was thought to be only
temporary ALLOCATE and the representa-
tive OF the Holy Father at the Columbian
Exposition. on every side iusipuation
ana sometimes attack were made lIpon
TINS representative. Some people. went
so Far as to talk of driving him out of
the country This was the way they
showed their loyalty and devotion 10 the
HOLY Father and these good people
were Catholics, and / regret 10 saw
eeeiesiastics in good standing. The Am
erican government and the American
people quietly accepted the right OF
the Holy Father to send here a shirt
uai representative to his Church They
felt IL would be unconstitutional for
them to interfere with religious preroga-
ives OF their fellow citizens MGR Sa-
TON, from being as was thought q tenn
porary atlegate is now securely estab-
lished In the country as permanent amos
tolic delegate, and when he Is recalled
by his spiritual authorities the deIega
ton remains a fixture, SO that the Mot
has failed. The wisdom of Mgr. saforH
has prevailed. The enemies OF his mis-
sion and his person have been Obliged
TO recognize the right OF the Holy Father
TO exercise his supremacy in the govern
ment OF the universal Church. The winds
and the waves seem to have threatened
the bark of the church i'm this coun-
try during the past year. but the vicar
OF Christ, Leo KILL, has heard the
words OF the Master. He has spoken
them with the voice and authority of
our Lord. He has commanded the winds
and the waves 10 be still and they have
obeyed him, and peace reigps In the
Church of the United States, and the
apostolic delegate, representing Leo Kill
~ master OF the situe tien. Let us hope
that this peace is zeal and that the men
who talked OF having an American pope
OF their own selection will not think
OF cherishng feelings OF resentment and
revenge We certainly have many rea-
sons 10 be thankful 10 God for the Wis
dom and fatherly spirit shown TO the
American Catholic Church throush the
heart OF Leo XIII, In the honest person
atty or Archbishop Safolli 1 might
give you great many other points