New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-05
FREE SPEECH IN QUEBEC.
THE CHURCH AND THE LIBERAL PRESS
JOIN BATTLE.
THE r1-r--1NArroNs OF THE BISHOPS IN THEIR
PASTORAL LETTER-THE DEFIANT AN
SWER OF ia PATRIE"

PASTORAL LETTER-THE DEFIANT AN
swER OF ia PATRIE"
Montreal JAN (speciaD.-war between the
Roman Catholic Church and the Liberal party in
the province Of Quebec threatened since the cleo
toral campaign OF June last. has now begun. 1t
was formally declared on behalf OF the Church
wher the bishops placed the leading French
Liberal newspaper under the ban and FORBADE
the faithful TO read or encourage In any way
the obnoxious publication. Tho issue OF this con-
fct no man can foretell. but the Liberals are not
frrhtcned Catholic and French. the majority
Of them necessarily must be In this province. they
saw that Catholic they will remain holding fast to
all the teachings of Church In spiritual matters
but that In matters OF state they will do az other
British subjects do. think and act for themselves
under the guidance OF their political leaders
7, will be remembered that during the general
a,ectons OF June the Conservative party led by Sir
Charles Turner was pledged to re-establish sepa-
rat, schools in Manitoba by cocrcing the province
Mt the point OF a federal school law On the other
hand the Liberal party, with Catholic ana n
Frenchman Mt its head. promised a settlement or
the vexed question by means of Cancellation and
COMPROMISE The bishops of Quebec issued n man
dement, read from every parish pulpit. calling upon
their people TO vote for candidates pledged TO sepa-
rate schools At that time the newspaper 81 Flee
teur of Quebec CITY, criticised this clerical inter
ference.
The elections came on. and. in spite OF the man.
dement, and ironcad pledges. the Liberals swept
the province carrying forty-eight out OF the sixty
eva ee,ts II certainly seemed as II clerical control
uas On the wane In Catholic Quebec. Mr. Laurier
became Premier and formed a Liberal Ministry
The new administration met the government OF
Manitoba half way and a settlement OF the school
question was arrived n. The national or public
school system of the province was preserved the
small and comparatively poor minority OF Manitoba
avo1 fran he burden
rate schools and yet had the privilege Of religious
instruction impaired by the pastors OF their own
faith The adjustment was not only prohtabie
one 10 all parties but IL was exceedingly just Nor
can there be a doubt that, If left to their own
choice the Roman Catholic minority would gladly
accent IL and send their children to the public
schools But to Bishop Langevin. Of Manitoba. and
tn the hierarchy of Quebec ii was not satisfactory
no doubt largely because II did not restore 10 'he
clergy the right of controlling or In any way as
nosinC of the school funds. The school settlement.
however has been made. and with 1t the Liberal
Government will stand or fall. That they must
count tire Church authorities in Quebec among
their opponents can no longer be doubted after the
recent action of the bishops -
s,i,,,,es the Roman Catholic Archdiocese OF que
bee administered by five bishops Iheir }o'hi prT
or letter. READ irpm GDcTy r spo to be- fought
with all the forces at the disposal OF powerful
hierarchy. After the formal opening the pastoral
letter proceeds as follows;
The Catholic bishops. ntrusted by Jesus Thirst
Himself with the protection Of sound doctrines li,
and Christian morality, not only have the right;
but II is also their duty 70 warn the faithiuI
interdict the reading of newspapers whicn they
consider detrimental to the interests OF faith ana
the Church. . -, 4. ,,,,o,,.
Therefore we come before you to-day to publicly
denounce to the faithful, intrusted to our
&c the newspaper ~ Elccteur.' printed at
Quebec whose unwholesome 'as ana faise ar
ticles especially for some time past. constitute "A
religious and social danger.
.t,er recit,ng several offences. a year old.
tho letter continues with these charges:
To this were added further insults recrmina-