The Irish standard., 1893-11-18

e.
Catholics OF that day. Stephen Moyian,
brigadier- general Of cavalry in the revo-z
luton. was a Roman Catholic. The
name Of John Barry. the father Of the e.
American navy, indicates his race and
religion. Mad Anthony Wayne, General
Sullivan, General Montgomery, General
Stark and General Irvine were all Irish
men and probably Catholics. Not 9
school boy in America OF 10 years Of age
is ignorant Of the tremendously valuable
services rendered by the Catholic Lafay-
cite. The second officer in command at
the siege Of Savannah was the Catholic
Count Arthur Dillon. The French fleets
commanded by the Catholics De Strange
and Rochambeau at Newport and York
town, were manned by Roman Catholic
sailors. Among the names Of the men
who for the support OF the immortal de-
claration of independence pledged their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred
honor appear the Catholic names OF Car.
roll and Lynch.
In the war OF 1912 the blood Of Roman
Catholic Americans moistened the cod on
every battlefield and drenched the decks
of every American battle ship In the
war with Mexico the valor Of Catholic
soldiers was proved on the contested
heights of Churubusco aud Chapulte-
pee.
The Northern general who later on Or
dered the charge Of the Irish brigade up
the heights of Fredericksburg mistrusted
not the loyalty Of the Catholic soldiers,
WHO with green branches on their hats
advanced through hail.storm of lead.
Catholics led as we'll as followed in the
shock of battle. Kearney, Corcoran,
Meagher and Sheridan are few of the
gallant leaders of the Union.
! ask the man who processes to doubt
the loyalty of the Catholic citizen to his
country to point out to me single in
stance when in the field, in the camp or
in the forum, in the senate or in the
civic chair where the Roman Catholic
has proved himself false to the trust re-
posed in him. Point out to me Catho-
lie Benedict Arnold or Aaron Burr. As
the Catholic Bav Arian was in the Franco
Prussian war loyal to his king even wht n
fighting his French co-religionists, SO
have the Catholic citizens Of this repub-
lie been at all times loyal to the govern
ment. no matter who was their common
enemy.
What is there in the Catholic Church
that would tend to make citizen dis
loyal or dangerous to the state? Il
teaches the religion of the lowly Gall
lean, according to the forms and tradi-
tions of a great majority of the Christian
world. I know not precept OF teach
ing, doctrine or formula of the Church
which inculcates in any way dieloyalty
to constituted civic authority. I know
of many which absolutely prohibit it.
To him who criticises the Catholic
Church I say in all sincerity: Point GU,
to me one precept or doctrine of the
Church which encourages disloyaity to
my country, and will abandon my reli.
gion or abandon and leave my country
to remain in which, holding such q doc.
trine, would be disgrace to myself and
an act of treason to my country.
But have heard it said that the Cath.
olic is not at heart a republican. Poin,
me out an instance of a republic other
than our own where the majority of the
people are other than Catholics. In
Switzerland the creeds are about evenly
divided. But in every other repu bile
that know Of, from the little Republic
of Andorra down to Brazil, including
France, Chill, Peru, Mexico and the
South American republics, the Catholics
are in large majority,
But our critics say: You acknowledge
allegiance to the Pope CHROME. I an
swer, yes, in spiritual matters, but not in
political ones. He hes no more author
ity over me as citizen Of this republic
than has the Car. As we'll charge the
Episcopalian with disloyalty because he
recognizes the Queen of England as the
spiritual head of his church.
The Catholic citizen clings to his reli'
g1on with hooks of steel, but cleaves just
as closely to his government and coun
try, and stand ready to-day, as he has IL
the past, Notwithstanding the sheer of thu
ignorant and the calumny of the fanatic
to prove his loyalty to his country'f
cause, even at the hazard OF his life.
ANCIENT ORDER H1BERNIANS.
Captain Sarsfeld's Comparison Between
the Benevolent A. Q. n. and the Malev-
~ olent A. 2. A.