The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-05-05
SATURDAY, MAY S. 1894.
A GOOD AMERICAN CITIZEN.

A GOOD AMERICAN CITIZEN.
In the recent oral discus sion in this city
between Ignatius Donnelly and "Profes-
cor" Sims, the Toronto Orangelnan uL-
blushirgly and emphatically declared
that every true American citizen must
needs DO Protestant whether he be-
lisves in God or the DEVIL" and that no
good Catholic, according to the doc
tr1nes and teachings of his church, can
be good American citizen. That as
eertion, if true, would make Catholics
bad citizens, even though they bore upon
their persons the scars received in battle
when fighting Protestant rebels who
sought to sever the bond that unites the
states Of the American republic, and to
perpetuate slavery on this continent.
That assertion, if true, would make Sims
and, his Canadian brethren, who never
drew their swords OK endangered their
lives in defense of the Union, more true
and loyal citizens Of the United States
than the thousands of Catholics, native
born and naturelized, who shed their
blood that the American flag should
float over free and united people. and
ali! because SIMS and his followers are
Professionals! According to this evange-
list of religious bigotry, the better Gath
olic man is the worse citizen he be-
comes, and the more he disregards his
duty TO God and the rules Of his Church
the better citizen he will make. The re.
frsctory ex-priests who have been cast,
out OF the bosom of the Catholic Church
for INSTRUMENTATION will make excellent
citizens, according to Sims logic, and
"whether they believe in God or the
devil" will make no difference in the
quality OF their citizenship So: long as
they heap abuse on the Church they
we're forced to leave. ~,
Sims and his gang charge that Catho-
lies hold divided allegiance to their
Church and country. and that they cam
not be- good citizens if they believe and
practices the principles of their faith.
That is q calumny which lis hoary with
age and has been refuted again and
again. A man can be true to his coun-
try and true to his God, and the better
he serves God by hearkening to the COM
mands of his Church the more faith
full citizen will he be. The Catholic
Church urges all its members to ''be SUBJ
iect to higher powers, that fare ordained
OF God;'' to be faithful and loyal citizens,
and to obey the laws of the country in
which they live; to ''render unto Caesar
the things that are Caesars, and to God
the things that are Gods" That is what
Christ himself taught, and no Protestant
bigots can improve upon it, nor advise
otherwise if they follow the divine in
function Men like Sims cannot success
fully convince any rational or impartial
person that Catholics are not equally
loyal with their non Catholic fellow citi-
Gems to the flag OF this country. Had he
come ov,r from Canada prior to the
Civil War, he might be able to make
Protestant Americans believe that Cath
,lios would prove recreant when the
country was in peril. It is too late for
,im now TO sound the false alarm, for
americans have witnessed the bravery
md fidelity OF Catholic priests and lay
men, side by side and shoulder to shout
Ter with men OF other creeds, on every
battlefield of the republic.
But Catholics can be true and loyal
nen in time of peace az we'll as in war.
They can be ssgocd citizens and good
Catholics at the same time, and be high
y respected.in the community in which
hey live. The recent death Of William
\. Greenwald, of Anoka, Mimi, as we
ind it recorded in the Anoka Union,
published by Protestant, will remove
my doubt as to whether Catholic can
70 loyal and respected citizen or not.
Anolsa has had no business man, young
Il old, "says thes Union. t'who had so many
interests of our city at heart, or Who'll
worked SO zealously Tor its welfare, as
ia VIM. A. Greenwald. In business he
rus strictly honest and conscientious, in /
lriyate be was friend whom any one