Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-30
Mgr. Satolli Pays a Tribute to Their
Worth.
THEY MAKE PATRIOTIC CITIZENS.
Remarks to Be Made to the Stu
dents of Gonzaga College.
HIS SITION STATED


he came to America, it has been charged
that he was unfavorable to Catholic
schools.
This afternoon at the reception rendered
him by the faculty and students of Con-
zaga College he will state his position
plainly on this subject His remarks will
be in Italian, but this is what he will say,
the following being an epitome Of his re-
marks as furnished by his secretary, DR..
Papi:
'"Thc whole America gives thanks today
to the Almighty God, whose kind Provi-
dence continues to spread its benefits on
this glorious republic. AS all power comes
from God, so must we acknowledge as COM
ing from God prosperity, fruit of peace
and victory, fruit of duty performed. Now,
this is the reason why holy Scripture calls
God sometimes the God of hosts, sometimes
the God of peace and charity. The king
dom of Christ on earth is the greatest man
Hesitation of Divine Providence, and there
fore the tribute of gratitude, when offered
in the name of Christ, is more acceptable
to the Almighty Father, and the prayer Of
fered in Christ's name is more efficacious
to obtain ever increasing benefits for a
more and more prosperous future. And
really We Catholics should be the first
both to recognize the benefits of God and
to thank Him for them. Since Catholics
should be the most faithful and constant
followers of religious and social virtues,
so as to be living examples TO all who do
not share in their faith, they have indeed
good reason TO be proud and to think them
selves privileged to conform on this day to
the PRESIDENTS solemn invitation and TO
thank God for protecting and speeding the
American republic.
Pray for the Republics Prosperity.
The teachings of st. Paul to the Romans,
and the teachings handed down by the
early fathers of the church to the faithful,
namely, that they should pray constantly
for the peace and prosperity of the common
wealth, are the same teachings which the
Catholic Church faithful guardians of the
ancient tradtions) repeats today and in
sists on being observed by her children.
Moreover, We have the important duty as
citizens of this republic to show by the sim
cerity of our actions that we are worthy
of enjoying the freedom and prosperity of
this noble land. And for this reason you,
pupils of the Gonzaga College could not
have selected better day for a reception
to the apostolic delegate than this Thanks
giving day, devoted to social recognition
of God. Among the Jews and Romans and
Greeks no feast was celebrated without the
cheerful participation of the young. The
JOY which radiates from the souls of youth
on festival days, and likewise the grief
which they show in the days of mourning
naturally create the same sentiments
among the masses of the people, and seem
TO be more pleasing Offering to the heav-
emily throne and to bring thence down on
earth the graces and favors of God.
In the days of Augustus the poet Hor-
ace composed a hymn, Carmen Seculare'
to be sung by the boys and matrons in the
streets of Rome, and that is one of the
noblest productions of the Muse of Latium
And your present celebration and songs
ohn oil 9th s-I
every part of the country are directed to
heaven in Thanksgiving for the past, in
prayer for the future.
Value of the Catholic Schools.
I'VE may be sure Of this, that all the
Americas (of whatever church they may
be members, even If of none) recognize the
value of the Catholic school: they are in
terested in it; they honor it; they wish it
to continue and progress; they have learned
by experience that citizens educated in
those schools do not fall short in knowledge
and in love of the American Constitution;
that they do not lag behind the most pro-
gressive of the American people; that they
are endowed with steadiness of character
with constancy of right purpose: that they
are just, active, charitable and generous
unto sacrifice.
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 it looked as IL pasans and philoso-
pliers 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 astonishment at the spectacle
| of the social and religious virtues preached
by Christians. How advantageous 1t would
| have been for the public welfare If they
| had favored the new religion instead of per
| nd had
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 1t 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 to
! 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 Constitu-
| tiOn.
"And 1 will say that whoever seriously
meditates on the principles of the American
Constitution, whoever is acquainted with
the present conditions of the American re-
public should be persuaded and agree with
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 Catholic
schools, more and more will the welfare
of the commonwealth be advanced The
Catholic education is the surest safegua rd
of the permanence throughout the centuries
of the Constitution, and the best guide of
the republic in civil progress. From this
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 nv
conviction, and so to speak, the profession
| of my faith in this matter. Up to the pres
ent 1t has been ineXplicable to me- and
| never perhaps shall 1 find out what was
| the origin of the suspicion that my views
were not favorable to Catholic schools
Those who, at first, ever after have at
| tributed to such absurd opinion
! ought to point to some word or action of
mine to justify themselves. Had l spoken
| differently 1 should be unfaithful to nv
| mission ungrateful to the generous hospi-
tality which have enjoyed and am enjoy
| ing in America; and. moreover, / should
\ have given the lie to my first and un-
| changeable convictions. Every Catholic
school is safe guardian of youth, and it
| is at the same time for the American youth
a place of training, where they are brought
up for the advantage of church and coun,
try.
| Become Noble Citizens.
Grant, heaven, that the Catholic schools