The herald., 1893-02-20

N Chicago during 1893 is yet months in
the future the programme for the meet
ing has been arranged
This congress win in many respects
Be- the most Important that has been
Aeld ID the United States. The policy
Of holding these meetings of lay church
men Is an old one In Europe, more espe-
cialy In France and Belgium, but it is
as yet new to Roman Catholics Of Amer
lea They were brought about largely
through the influence of CARDINAL Glib
bons.
The FIRST congress was held in Balti-
more ID 1880 and was in every way a
notable gathering. More than Seventy
archbishops and bishops were present, in
addition to Cardinal Gibbons and Mgr
6atolh the papal ablegate. Every state
and territory In the United States was
represented In the congress, and the then
prime minister, Of Quebec, Hon. Honori
Nercier. was among the delegates. The
SUCCESS of the congress was great, and
the idea Of making these meetings o. per-
manent feature in this country met with
immediate favor.
Three of the most distinguished mem
bers Of the congress of 1889 are now
dead These are Daniel Dougherty, the
famous orator; United States Senator
Exancis D. Herman. Of New York, and
John Culinary Shea, the eminent his
torian. But despite the loss Of these
men the coming congress viii unques-
tionsbIy be mOst brilliant, one.
The essential feature of these con-
crosses Il that. unlike the recent council
of archbishops in New York and other
Catholic CHURCH councils, they are domi-
mated by laywen. The clergy partici-
pate. but they do not control. The dele
gates to the congress are nominally
named by the bishops Of the various dio-
ceses that they represent, but in reality
ere selected by leading ,laymen. Nor
have the church officials anything to do
With arranging the programme Of the
meetings. However, it is the custom of
the leaders prior to holding a congress
to lay their plans before the ruling
church officials for their approval. In
this way the Chicago programme was
as . formal matter Of Prospect laid before
the archbishops Of the church at their
late meeting In New York city and was
by them approved.
The Chicago congress viii be q big
affair in point of numbers, for there
may be present from 500 to 1900 dele
gates aside from church officials and
invited guests Under the rules that
win govern the congress ten delegates
- 1fA1acn Nv h
diocese of vicariate apostolic, with five
additional for every $4,000 Of the Cath
olic population in each diocese. As this
plan viii give the great city of New
York, with Its immense Catholic popula-
ton, over $50 delegates, and Boston,
Philadelphia, st, Louis. Chicago and
other cities almostas many, and as every
Catholic university, college and semi
nary may also send delegates, ii will be
seen at once that It VIII require a large
hall TO hold them all.
As for the programme of the congress,
II is simple enough. 1t will in no man
ner SAVIOR of politics or sectipnahsrn, the
sole aim being to advance the interests
OF the Catholic church along all legiti-
mate lines. The school question in all
sts phases will be a prominent subject
for discussion, as will socialism in the
light Of Pope Eeo's most recent pronunci-
amento on that question 10 rebuke of the
modern enthusiastically inclined school
of socialists.
But the main feature Of the congress
win be patriotism and Amerleanism. 9th
er subjects win be secondary. Coincident
as tho congress win be, and in the same
city with the Columbian celebration, II
has been decided by the committee that
has the matter Of arrangements that il
VIII be but fitting that the congress