Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-29

protects the other.
Therefore. since IL Is the Office ana
function OF an Apostolic Legate, with
whatsoever powers he may be vested, TO
evecute the mandates and interpret the
will of the Poutlff who sends him; far
from his being Of any detriment 10 the
ordinary power Of the bishops. he Will
rather bring an accession Of stability ana
strength. His authority viii possess no
slight weight for preserving In the multi
tude a submissive spirit; in the clergy
discipline and due reverence Tor the
bishops, and In the bishops mutual
charity and an intimate union OF sous.
And, since this union, so salutary ana
deslrab BILE. consists mainly IN harmony OF
thought and action, he VIII no uouDt
bring it 10 pass that each one OF you shaH
perseyere in the dillgent adminlstrati)A
of his diocesan affairs. that one shall rot
impede another in matters Of government;
that one shall not pry into the counselS
and conduct of another: finally, that with
disagreements eradicated and mutual
esteem maintained, you may all Work to-
gether with combined energies, 10 pro-
mote the glory of the American Cnurch
and the general welfare.
II is difficult to estimate the good re-
suits which will flow from this concord
OF the bishops. our own people VIII re-
ceiye cdihcation; and the force OF example
Will have it's effect on those without, VINO
will be persuaded by this argument alone
that the divine apostolate has descended
By inheritance to the ranks or the Catho-
lie episcopate. Is
AMERICAS FUTURE.
Another consideration claims our ear
nest attention All intelligent men are
agreed. and we. ourselves, have with
pleasure intmated it above that America
seems destined for greater things. now
ii is our wish that the Catholic Chureh
should not only share in, but help TO
bring about. this prospective greatness.
we deem il right ana proper that she
should. by availing herself OF the oppor-
tuuities daily presented 10 her. keep equaI
step with the republic in the march OF
iuDrovemeut. at the same time striving
tn the utmost, by her virtue and her IN
stitutions. 10 aid III the rapid growth
Of the States Now, she VIII attain both
,he.e objects the more easily and abun-
dainty in proportion 10 the degree III
which the future shall ind her conSttu-
tion perfected. But what Is the meaning
of the Legation OF which we are speak
ing. or what is its ultimate aim, except
10 bring il about that the constitution
OF the Church shall be strengthened her
discipline better fortified!
Wherefore, We arien'iy desire that the
truth should sink day by day more deep
" into the minds OF Catholics-namely.
tLat they can in no better way safeguard
their individual interesfg and the COM
mon good than Jy yielding hearty SUD
mission and obedience 10 slc Church.
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
The encycllcal then ailrms the Chris
tlan dogma Of the unity and indlssolu-
blllty Of marriage, and renews con-
demna,ion Of divorce.
As regards civil affairs, those or the
clergy who are occupied with the In,
structlon Of the multitude are enjoined
TO treat plainly the topic Of the duties OF
citizens, so that all may understand and
feel the necessity in political life or
consciousness. self-restralnt, and intes-
ritv. for that cannot be lawful In law
which is unlawful in private affairs.
In like manner let the priests be per-
sistent in keeping before the minds OF
people the enactments Of the Third Coun'
ell OF Baltimore. particularly those whlch
inculcate the virtue OF temperance, the
frequent use Of the sacraments, ana the
Observance Of the just laws and institu-
tions Of the republic.
ENTERING SOCIETIES.
Now. in regard to entering societies.
extreme care should be taken not TO be
ensnared by error. And we wish to be
understood as referring in special man
ner 10 the working classes, who assuredly
have the right to unite in associations
for the promotion of their interests;
right acknowledged by the Church and
unopposcd by nature. But 1t is very I'M
portant to take heed with whom tsey are
..frs l. yfrtfr nf lie
for the improvement of their condition,
they may be imperilling far weightier in
terests. The most efectual precaution
against this peril is 10 determine with
themselves at no time or In any matter
to be parties TO the violation OF justice.
Any society, therefore, which IS ruled by
and serviley obeys persons who are not
steadfast for the right and friendly to
religion Is capable Of being extremely pre-
judicial TO the interests. as well Of indl-
viduals AZ of the community; beneficial
it cannot be. Let this conclusion. there
fore, remain firm-to shun. not only those
associations which have been openly con-
demned by the judgment of the Church.
but those also which, in the opinion Of
intelligent men, and especially OF the
bishops, are regarded as suspicious and
dangerous.
CATHOLICS WITH CATHOLICS.
Nay, rather, unless forced by necessity
to do otherwise. Catholics ought to pre-
fer to associate with Catholics, a course
which will be very conducive to the safe
guarding OF their faith.
As presidents Of societies thus formed
amorS themselves 1t would be we'll to
appoint either priests or upright laymen
Of weight and character, guided by whose
counsel they should endeavor peacefully
to adopt ana carry into effect such mea-
sures as may seem most advantageous
10 their interests. keeping in view the
rules laid down by us in our encyclical
"Rerum Noyarum."
Let them, however, never allow this TO
escape their memory That whilst 1t Is
proper and desirable TO assert and secure
the rights OF the many, yet this is not 10
be done by violation OF duty. and that
these are very important duties-not to
touch what belongs 10 another to allow
every one to be free in the management
OF his own affairs. not 10 hinder any one
10 dispose Of his services when he pleases
and where he pleases. The scenes OF vio-
lence and riot which you witnessed last
year In your own country sufficiently
admonish you that America, too. is
threatened with the audacity and ferocity
Of the enemies of public order The state
of the times, therefore, bids Catholics
to labor for the tranquility OF the Com
monwealth, and for this purpose to obey
the laws. abhor violence, and seek no
more than equity or justice permits.
THE PRESS.
The power OF the press as an agency
for good or evil and its value I'm aiding
the clergy In their work OF elevating
mankind are acknowledged, and journal
lists are enJoined TO be equally Jealous
with the priests TO instruct, admonish.
strengthen. and urge the people on TO the
pursuit Of virtue and TO the faithful OBJ
servance. amid so many occasions OF
stumbling, OF their duties towards the
Church.
Let Catholic writer's, therefore, bear
impressed on their minds our teachings
and yours on this point, and let them re-
solve that their entire method OF writing
shall be thereby guided. II they indeed
desire. as they ought 10 desire, to dis
charge their duty we'll
Solcitude Is expressed for the welfare
Of dissenters. and OF Indians and negroes.
and the encyclical closes with the Apos-
tolic benediction to the bishops. the clergy.
and the people.