The Irish standard., 1894-04-21
WORDSOF WISDOM
Rev. j. M. Cleary Speaks on "Amer.
lean Citizenship" at Marinette,
Wis, to a Large Audience.
EQUAL PRIVILEGES TO ALL
Rev. Mr.. Crosby Interrupts the
Speaker and is Completely
Squelched for His Pains.

approaches to the entrances Of the Opera
House were packed Wednesday evening
with people--ladies and gentlemen-who
were anxious to obtaiq an opportunity
to hear the eloquent, orator who, it had
been announced, would address our citi-
zens upon the subject Of american
Citizenship" says the Marinette, Wis,
Argus OF March 90 The wisdom of those
who took this precautlon was demon
stated when, at eight o'clock, standing
room anywhere within the sound Of the
speakers voice was at premium. Man-
agsr Maurer estimates that at least 1900
persons were inside the big auditorium,
and that at least as many more were
obliged to return home, being unable to
gain admittance. This great audience
illustrates the fact that there are a great
many people in Marinette who were
anxious to hear the definition of genuine
American citizenship as interpreted by
Father Cleary, whose reputation as an
orator is national.
The speaker was introduced by Mr.. G.
w. Hanley, who, in speech Of about ten
minutes, stated the object Of tho meeting
and said that he very much deplored the
fact that Roman Catholics had been
called upon to defend themselves against
the charge Of being disloyal to their
country. Directing his remarks to tbs
veterans OF the late war who were in tbs
audience, he said: "If' you believe that
she Catholic soldiers who fought with
you against the rebellion and have found
last resting plaoe--it you believe that
these Catholic soldiers were not loyal Il,
their country, please do not strew May
flowers upon the green mounds beneath
which lie their remains" The charges,
however, had become SO grave and were
80 utterly false that to remain silent un-
der the accusations would be little else
than crime For that reason they had
arranged for this meeting, and Father
Cleary, of Minneapolis, was introduced.
Father Cleary opened his address by
saying that he believed chat he was ia q
position to speak upon the subject Of
American Citizenship for the reason that
he WAS native American, being born in
Massachusetts almost in sight Of Plym~
outh Rock, "ths blarney stone of New
England" but, he said, it is not necessary
to be born in this country TO be good
American citizen. Foreigners who come
here to make it their home and renounce
all allegiance to the laws and rulers Of
their native land become just as good
citizens as native Americans. Their 10y
atty to our laws and institutions are just
as firm, and therefore foreigners are on
titled to an honest and honorable recog~
milton by all. Referring to the charge Of
Prof. Sims that of the 100000 Catholics
in the Union Army during the rebellion
72o0O deserted, he branded the assertion
SO false, entirely without foundation and
one which it is impossible to prove be-
cause there were no questions asked as
to mans nationality or religion, when
the soldiers enlisted. When Abraham
Lincoln issued his call for recruits the
only qualifications required were strong
constitution and an ability to stop a
rebel bullet. If the facts were known,
che number of Catholics who enlisted in
the Union Army would be nearer 100000
than 100000, and they fought as bravely
as did their Protestant comrades, the
dust of Protestant and Catholic Ameri-
cans being mingled together in the grave
yards of southern battlefelds. Uncle
Sam never made the distinction between
religions with which he is credited by
such lying mountebanks as Prof. Sims
When brave man offered his life and
his services in defense Of his country, he
was not asked If he was Catholic, or
Protestant, or an A. p. A., the latter be-
ing conspicuously scarce during that
long and terrible strife. Father Cleary
said that we are told that Roman Oatho-
lies cannot be loyal toithe United States
and obey the rules of their church.
Such assertions, he said, are infamous.
Every Catholic is not only urged but re-
quired by the Church to obey the laws OF
his native or adopted country. A. P. A.
organs and speakers tell their readers
and audiences that Pope Plus TX en-
dorsed and blessed the confederacy, and
Father Cleary told his audience how that
kind old gentleman did this. He said
Jefferson Davis, believing that, i he
could suoosed ii getting the Catholics to
H. portthern arms, big army could