The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07

brate the DAYS which marked great events in
the life OF our native land. Over nine-tenths
Of the y. NJ. l. are proud of their birthrlght
under the protecting folds of the American
flag, and the entire organization in the United
States challenge comparison for superiority OF
intelligent members known for their loyalty
and devotion TO our beloved country and It's
glorious Institutions
Then, my fellows of the Y. NJ. l., buckle on
your armor and go forth in the interests OF
your feIlow-Catholics, eligible to membership
III the \. NJ. l., secure their fealty with you TO
that order. which teaches and requires deYo-
ton to God and country; advance the good OF
the order by energetic and busineSslike efforts,
to build up a home for the y NJ l. IN your !alr
City, and you, your efforts, ana the organize
ton 10 which we are all proud TO belong, Will
reap an untold benefit, society VIII be gamer
and Gods choicest blessings viii How upon the
Y NJ. l., its members and its undertakings.
Past President James f. Smith followed
the presiding officer with speech that
was applauded continuously from the first
two words.
The substance of his expressions were:
Fetlo,U americans: 1t is some time since I
have been at an assembly of the Y. NJ. /. To
my shame be it said, but tonight l feel like
the disciple who said, 80 Lord, il is good to be
here"
/ shall not abandon faith in my prediction
made at the last meeting l attended that
the time would come when Americans would
live without strife among themselves. Much
has been said OF an aggraVating nature in the
last twelve months. Norwood has been
heaped on US, but that is the very thing that
Will make us strong. 1t has accom- pliShed what
years OF argument could not.
Here in this City many slanderous, vile
things have been said OF the Catholic religion,
on the Catholic religion. We want it turned
on; we can only respond, clay on, for upon a
omplete investigation we rely.''
There are many honest, fair-minded men
who differ with US in religious belief We
must not drive them from our side bv raneonr
am willing that this organization, which is
Western, a California organization shouId
stand the test of Americanism
Without the love OF God there can be no
patriotism.
If ever the hour should come for war from
tne ranks OF the institute viii go more men
IMAM from those who traduce our faith.
Judge }. +. Sullivan, another past grand
president, continued the sentiment occa-
stoned by the gathering and by the existing
contentious between local representative
OF the Protestant and Catholic clergy.
am glad TO see here assembled SO many
true examples OF American manhood I have
seen 1t stated in papers many times that Young
men In this OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of this State
owed allegiance elsewhere. l have denied it
as caIumny on hundred platforms
1t has been said that the Y. NJ l. is a political
organization. brand that as falsehood AS
long as the Y. NJ. l. continues the career of use
tulnesS 1t has mapped out for itself it will adj
here to the principles of its council Chambers
not to allow politics to enter into its work
why should we, many of us offSprings of
AoNC SAOuAd OOWn Dy the leel OF BRITISH QeS-
potism, race that has suffered from the Union
OF Church and State, why should we now wish
TO perpetuate such condition?
Inc Purltans, fleeing from their unhospita-
Die non-CathoIic prosecutors in their own
country, came to America to be free from the
persecution OF their own land. take special
prioe ana pleasure IN recalling that that Irish
patriot, John Boyle O'Relly, was asked to ad-
dress the meeting of the descendants of the
Protestants in New England.
In Catholic Maryland l note that when it
z f1sNvt Coz n1,,
Benedict Arnolds were found
glory in the history of my native country
l take grand pride in the man who laid down
the law OF religious liberation, Thomas Jeffer-
son, the author of the greatest doctrine ever
promulgated in any country, the Declaration
OF independence.
Recently we have heard the statement from
broken down politicians and cheap preachers
without pulpits that we should keep America
Tor Americans. II anywhere that principle
maintains, say 1t exists right here in this in
stitute.
believe that God Almighty intended that
the best form of government should hold SWAY
upon this continent, and that is q republican
government.
If anybody questioned the sentiment, "Amer-
lea for Americans" from this platform assure
you 1t was not member of this organization.
We feel that cool and deliberate examine
tion and explanation OF the doctrines of our
church by fair-minded men will convince the
people OF the malice of these attacks
hope that the day may soon come when re-
ligious factions may not exist to separate the
these years built up this municipality
l hope that some young man may come to
explain that after all we are all worshipping
the same God.
Past President Frank J. Murasky, in
briefly outlining the work of the order.
said:
For twelve years now this organization has
kept within itself 1t has RETAINED from every
form OF agitation. Its members are not agi-
tatOrs.
IFS members rnauv of 1vborn 1il.o ,,,,.o,s
were born in this State and have never seen
another land, are now accused of faYoring
some other land. | who consider this my
only home am told by one who is Wanderer
that we cannot, we will not be true to this
AS Cardinal Newman once said, if men took
the trouble to investigate before they assert
something half the controversies of the world
would never have occurred. If there is some.
thing in the Catholic religion that will make
men unloyal to this country, l want to know it.
and want the public to know it. We invite
blaze of light.
The only purpose this organization has in
view is the betterment morally and intellec-
tually OF its members and the perpetuation of
a kindly brotherly feeling, eXemplifed in our
cheerful visits TO the sick, in our tributes in
the last rites OF the deceased. In !
the members we surely better the
in which we live.
We believe 1t necessary to have before us al |
ways something worthy to do. The committee |
has suggested the delivery of q course of lect-
lres explanatory of Catholic belief and the |
OF literature on the subject. The |
building OF large meeting-hall for the in
ititute should be q worthy incentive to the |
mem bers. But the work should be put in |
charge of one man, and he should be an en- |
n usiast.
a set of resolutions was submitted and |
adopted advocating the |
within the next sixty days of |
1lans for Y. NJ. l. building and general |
work along the line of means to its con-
truction.
The last speech of the evening was a
surprising extemporaneous outburst just
before the mighty chorus on america
n which every voice in the audience
oined Justify.
John J. McDade, the young man who
thirteen years ago founded the organiza-
ion, was called upon for speech. He
,ould not disregard the storms of welcom-
ng encouragement that greeted his name.
He began modestiy and in moderate
one, but awakening to his subject he
plunged forward with a burst that sur
orised his hearers and called forth the
greatest enthusiasm of the evening". espe-
tally when he started to say something
about Father Yorke.
His hearers greeted the name with tre-
nendous applause, and as the volume of
sound subsidized, the speaker added that
hanks were due Father Yorke for his