The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-21
AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
Concluded from First Page.)

Catholics to the Governments: I'VE re-
3oice at the marvellous development of
our country, and regard with Just pride
the part taken by the Catholics in its
development" In the words OF the pas
toral issued by the Archbishops of the
United States, assembled In the Third
Plenary Council of Baltimore, I'VE
claim to be acquainted with the laws,
institutions and spirit of our country.
and we emphatically declare that there
is no antagonism between them. We
iepudiate with equal earnestness the
assertion that we need TO lay aside any
of our devotedness to the Church to be
true Americans, and the insinua tons
that we need TO abate any of our love
for our country's principles to be faith
full Catholics. We believe that our
country's heroes We're the Instruments
of the God of Nations, in esta blishing
this home of freedom, TO both the AL
mighty and to His instruments In the
work we look at with sacred reverence,
and ITO maintain the inheritance OF free
dom which they left us. should it ever
which God forbd-be imper,illed, our
Catholic citizens will be bound to stand
forward as one man. ready to pledge
anew their lives, fortunes and their
sacred honor"
l have defined the duties and obl-
cations of Catholics to their country
do not know that they are any differ
ent from the obligations and duties of
the members of other churches. If
they are, have not been able to find
out the difference in a life that covers
more than half century. After having
been honored by people of all denomina-
tons. by Protestants. Catholics and He
brews. 1t Is incredible that any sane
man would believe that l am now ready
to sell out 1.-THE liberties of my country
TO any foreign prince or potentate.
And this is one of the false and ma
licious ISLANDERS which the ignorance
and bigotry of Apaism circulates against
the Catholic Church and its members
No Government has done so much for
the amelioraticn and advancement of
Its citizens as that of the United States
II is no mSre Certain, that Christ
preached and gave to the world a new
gospel of salvation than that the faith
ers of this Republic proclaimed q new
political dspensation in the DECLARE
ton Of independence which was in
corporated into and concreted in the
Constitution and Government of the
United States.
Every American citizen has right to
religious dreedom and the flee exercise
of religious. worship. Born and reared
in the fas!h or the Roman Catholic
Church. my prayer is that may have
tbs grace 10 worthiiy follow its teach
ings and practices III the perfect as-
surance that | would abound with pa
tr!dAsm and love FOR my country, and
with justice and charity for my fellow
citizens of all denominations and par
ties.
Those who revile' and persecute the
Catholic Church and its membeTs-pre-
tending to see in ii and in them enc
mics Ito our fires observation-disclosures the
O. hiStN
forget The sacrifices Of the Fathers OF
the Revolution. They are unmindful of
tho sacred cause for which they fought
They are false to the principles OF
American liberty. They are untrue 10
the Government which the Revolution
AIRY Fathers founded that liberty. JUS
tice and right might be firmly establish
ed and thai. tyranny, oppression and
wrong might be forever banshed from
the United States.
] make my appeal and argument to
the minds and consciences of my fellow
courrymen. irrespective OF church or
party, as protest against that fell
spirit of intolerance and prescription
which is as devoid of Christian truth and
charity as H. is of Justice. honor and
patriotism. No American who under
stands his rights ana his obligations to
God and country. viii ever deny OF. S elk
to abridge the rights and privileges
guaranteed TO every citizen by the Con-
s.itution and laws of the Government
of the United States.
Under the new political dispensation
of this Republic all men are made free
and equal before the law. with rights
and privileges as clearly defined as to
church and State, which are co-exi5tent
but entirely distinct and sepal ate, as
this right to life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
In the observance of the Constitution
and in the fulfillment OF the laws made
in pursuance thereof, the rights of every
citizen. irrespective OF race, creed or
patty. win be maintained With 10y
atty and justice and peace and good Will
in our minds and In our hearts, with ex-
emplary conduct and patriotic devotion
to the principles of the Revolutionary
Fathers, we VIII peipetuate the best and
most perfect system of government ever
devised for the peace. happiness and
prosperity OF mankind. especially for
those whose nightingale privilege lit 10