The herald., 1893-07-02
LETTER BAG.
A Defense of catholIc,.m.

A Defense of Catholicism.
EDrToRs HERALD: The majory of the
press reading people OF Pasadena, no
doubt, are interested in Mr.. Gsrener's
letters to the Pasadena Star. became
interested in them by the clear, pleas
ant and interesting way he tells OF his
trip over the Grand Trunk; but. in his
letter Published in the Star June 2lst
there are some remarks which give the
opinion that Mr.. Gardner ia either mia
informed or prejudiced about Cathol-
icism.
hope not the latter; for prejudice is
not in accordance with an intelligent
man, as l expect Mr.. Gardner is, BY
prejudice is meant a prejudgment,
biae or leaning towards one side or the
other of q question formed without
proper grounds or before suitable knowl-
edge. Such aprejudgment is vague and
general it is not more than an opinion
or an inference, of greater or less
strength. 1t cannot reasonably be and
should not be taken as infallible.
l hope no intelligent man rests on pre-
Judgment SO entirely as to refuse to hear
the other side, and sift the evidence that
is brought against the prejudgment, es-.
ptclhlly as W COuCluoO 1b OHC0 anu
without examination that nothing
could be said for the opposite side.
Such man would not act reasonably
he would not be fair-minded; his pre-
judice would cease to be exeusable and
become obstinscy and injustice.
In regard to the annexation OF Canada
Mr.. Gardner says: mo Canada, much
obliged you are pretty and attractive
and we would like TO take you to our
bosom as a part OF our country, but
with this faint of heathenism in your
blood we could not adopt you"
A great many feel thankful Mr.. Gard
ner is not tine United States. 1t is the
first time 1 have heard Catholicism
termed heathenism, and from Mr..
Gardner's other unkind remarks about
"the priests being fat, sleek-headed, all
devouring, all.consuming once, living
like fighting cooke, drinking the best
wines and driving the best horses" let
us hope few words of comment from
one who knows more on that subject
will not be out of place.
1t is an axiom that Frenchmen are the
best masters of French, go also Catholics
ought to know better their religion than
non-Catholics. ] will say that Cstholicity
desires nothing so much az broad day
light; that the opposition of our sep
aratsd brethren is owing mainly to mis-.
understanding OF its teaching.
American people are open to truth
and are lovers Of fair play. They will
not knowingly tolerate misrepresenta-
ton of any individual or set Of individu-
ais in 90 serious q matter as religion, es-
pecially of church which is so largely
known and acknowledged ss the source
of many and great benefits to society.
Political campaign methods are linn
tied to the sphere of partisan politics,
and We all know what value to set on
them. There is in the people OF Can
ada, ss we'll rs of the United States, no
disposition to transfer such methods to
religion, or to allow them in that sphere
which ia most sacred and precious to
every good man and woman, viz, con-
science.
It would be presumptuous to try to
instruct an editor how to run his paper
so as to please his readers, but anyone
with information at secondhand. picked
up on the highways and byways, with
crude notions handed down By unteeted
tradition, with definitions uuapproved
and assertions unpi owed by reliable evil
dence, might ask himself does he under
stand our holy religion better than we
Catholics do, and ii he is qualified to in
esruct nor attack the Catholic church, its
doctrine, Its morals or it's discipline. Ia
it possibis in our enlightened nineteenth
century, that such ignorance OF Catho-
licity existf
Like all other places with growing
cities, hopes and ambitions. the mind
OF the west ia broad. The weet has
thrown its gates wide open TO all corners,
aud meano that all shall find here, with
a home, respect; and why should not
Catholics tind in this glorious Southern
California that generous spirit that ex'
listed, and should come down from the
earliest white explorers and settlers,
whose names and religion have been
perpetuated in its counties, citieg and
towns?
AS in the past, SO in the present, Prov.
idence has given 10 the Catholic church
in the northeast, as we'll as in. the north
west, leaders who by their intelligence,
blameless lives and fearless boldness for
truth have forced from the community
more than respect, admiration and af-
fection, and have done away with preju-
dices Of the grosser sort, if not in all
minds at least in the minds OF the think
ing and sensible portion of our now
Catholic fellow citizens.
It is in epirit of kindness I wish this
accepted and wish no Offensive feelings
towards those who honestly differ from
us. All we wish is our priests and our
holy religion represented in their true
light. That there are grave religious
Misunderstanding between Catholics
and mont Catholics is painfully evident !;
that they should be explained and thus
come to On end is q contamination de-
voutly to be wished by myself and many
residents OF Pasadena and other citiee.
AGNES Moore.
PASADENA, June %, 1883.