The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-09-27
m Cardinal GIBBONS was also

J - - b'NA 'Jhs 1-'NlSy RAOC4AVll'
F. Baum, Syracuse, vice president; G
| Schumann and J. A. Benninger,
| Louisville, secretaries; DIR. II h.
RademacheT, Louisville, treasurer.
The resolutions passed by the
Eucharistic league recently held at
! Notre Dame, Ind, we're indOrsed.
A public meeting was held at the
Auditorium tonight and the large hall
was filled to overlooking. The Right
Rev. Bishop McCloskey delivered the
ado ress of welcome. Other addresses
OF welcome were delivered as follows:
BY Rev. P. Mayer on The Servitude
and Kingship OF the Pope; Rev. DR..
/ Schroeder on Christianity and So
cialism; Rev. J. Z. Hagan on OBJECTS
of Priests Society, and Washington
Hesig on German American Catholic
Patriotism.
Mr.. Hesing spoke as follows:
AT this time, when general feel
ing of unrest prevails, and when in
many directions tt ere seems to be a
revival of the old prejudice against
Cathollcity and against the Germans,
it may not be out of place to say someN
thing of German-American Catholic
| patriotism, a subject which is of vital
Importance to every inhabitant OF the
country. True to our country can be
considered one of the noblest senti>
ments of the human heart, and with.
out sentiment there can be no patriots
ism. He whom it controls will always
be found at the front fighting for
right. He is willing to sacrifice all.
Patriotism seldom brings any re-
turn; makes more enemies than friends.
Yet ii is the foundation of American
liberty. Peace, liberty and equality
are our Inheritance. Yet there are
enemies who threaten our freedom
They are those societies which shun
the light of day. And what have we
done? What is our crime? 1t is that
we are Catholics. Yet is there any,
thing in religion to which true pa
triOt can take exception? Nothing of
the sort. He, however, who joins with
Others to cu1tail the rights of those
who do not agree with him in religion
is guilty of a crime against the consti-
tuition of the United States.
within the last few years there has
arisen an organization known as the
American Protective association. This
organization, claiming to have 1000,
900 members, is tigurir G prominently
in our politics and everywhere
forming sister alliance with
one of our political parties.
This is most unfortunate for the
welfare OF this great government and
for the peace of mind of our citizens.
This society arrogates to itself all the
loyalty OF the country, all the honesty
and all the public spirit, and in fact
everything else worth having. Its
members are patriotic by profession.
The constitution of the United States
does not say that the true worth of
citizen shall be measured by his re
ligion. 1t even goes in the opposite
direction and prohibits that tho one
shall be judged by the other. This is
he great, broad foundation stone
upon which our political structure is
built. Nevertheless the secret order
insists that certain citizens worship.
ping God in their own manner shall
be deprived of certain political rights
guaranteed them by the constitution
of the United States,
"Our German American Catholic
patriotism does not alone oppose these
men because they are inimicabIe to
Catholics, but because their methods
are reasonable, unlawful and unpatri-
otto; because they have hypocritically
assumed the name of patriots aud ut
the same time leave no stone unturned
to undermine the greatest structure of
liberty the world has ever seen. We
Catholics of German origin or birth
most emphatically protest against in
reference with our national customs.
Because a dealer of low order in
wines and liquors has tostered lawless.
ness, and possibly crime, it is no rea~
son that every liquor dealer, among
whom can be classed those who sell
good Rhine wines and good
German beer, should be excom
municated. | hold it to
be great misfortune that the edict OF
Bishop Watterson will be considered a
material concession to the narrow,
minded element of our population,
which is constantly waging war upon
our creed. That edict was so general
in its tone that every Catholic in the
United States who, directly or indi-
rectly, was engaged in the liquor traffic
| felt that he was affected and meant
Prob lbitionists and temperance IA
natics raised cry of eXultaton, and
Miss Willard sent her gistorly greeting,
The German Catholic of this coun>
! try is q true son OF his church, and is
also patriot. He can be both with
an honest heart and defend his rights
There is no difference between religion
and patriotism. We can be good,
patriotic citizens of this COUP
try and at the same time
be true to our Inherited national aud
religious traditions. We can and will
be proud of the name of American
citiz ans, Il name which means the high
est kind of citizenship, which means
personal liberty for the individual, toll.
ersnce for the rights of Others, aud
above all, what unites Us ala love
for our country. That is American
and that is patriotic, and that Is what
dignifies the true citizUn, who should
always bear in mind the true interests
of his country and who should be
actuated only by fidelity to the flag
and fidelity to the institutions of the
land. The fire OF patriotism must be
kindled anew.
Protect yourself with the faith of
yonr faith and with love for thi, glOri
Gus country of our freedom. Before
us, in the hour OF need,
our brethren in faith and
in race have cheerfully sacrificed