Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-30

such then is the magnificent spectacle
presented to America by the Catholic
schools, not unlike the spectacle given by
the first Christians to the whole world in
the early centuries of the church. In those
days 1t looked as If paSans and philoso-
piers might despise the faith, and calum-
Mate the customs and religion of the Chris
tians, but in reality they could not con-
ceal very long their true Judgment nor
hide their establishment at the spectacle
of the social and religious virtues preached
by Christians. How advantageous IL would
have been for the public welfare IL they
had favored the new religion instead of per-
scouting it, and If they had recognized and
fostered harmony between Christian truth
and morality on one hand on the other
hand the spirit of social and public life
1t was impossible at the time to bring about
this harmony, because the civil constitution
was imbued with errors and superstitions
and because ii was believed with no good
reason that ruin of the state would follow
inevitably the disappearance of those su-
perstitions. But thanks to God, and glory IN
the men who inspired the American Consti-
tuition, such a state of things as obtained
in Rome is not possible here.
Favorable to the American Con.tttu-
ton.
"And / will say that whoever seriously
meditates on the principles of the American
Constitution, whoever is acquainted with
the present conditions of the American re-
us that the action of the Catholic faith
and morality is favorable in every way
to the direction in which the Constitution
turns. For the more the public opinion
and the government will favor the Cathoiic
schools, more and more will the welfare
of the commonwealth be advanced. The
Catholic education is the surest safeguard
of the permanence throughout the centuries
of the Constitution, and the best guide of
the rppublic in civil
source the Constitution will gather on that
assimilation SO necessary for the perfect
organization of that great progressive body
which is the American republic
That is the sincere expression of my
conviction, and SO to speak the profession
of my faith in this matter Up to the pres
ent II has been ineNplicable to me- and
never perhaps shall / find out what Was
We're not favorable to Catholic schools
Those who, at first. or ever after, have at
tributed TO me such an absurd opinion
ought to point to some word or action of
mine to justify themselves. Had | spoken
differently l should be unfaithful to my
mission, ungrateful to the generous hospi-
tally which / have enjoyed and am enjoy
ing in America; and. moreover, L should
have given the lie to my first and I'M
changeable convictions Every Catholic
school is a safe guardian of youth. and IL
is at the same time for the American youth
a place of training, where they are brought
uD lpT lne duN dnldEt VI CnufOn ana CO0n-
try.
Become Noble Citizens.
Grant, heaven, that the Catholic schools
nay continue. increase in number. grow
stronger, reach the highest perfection, en-
dowed with the blessings Of God, command
ed by the authority of the church, and the
holy father, honored and appreciated by
every honest citizen, from the illustrious
President down to the most humble work
man. Those only are against them who
do not know them, or who are not animated
by the spirit of the church, and are want
ing the sentiments of true liberty. This
college of ST Aloysius well deserves to be
situated in the seat of the federal govern
ment, and We may say to rest under the
shadow of the Capitol. Young men, you
have before you the great and noble array
of those who have gone before you, and who
are today able and honored citizens. Fol-
low. then, their example; devote yourselves.
mind and heart, to the lessons that are here
impaired to you, and you will certainly be-
come the new genera ton of Aloysian alum
nj, a band of noble and honorable citizens.
May. then, heaven bless You. and l. as
the humble representative OF the holy faith
er, bless you from all my heart"