The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17

hlph NAAo - - 81 y Ia hoNbDoHNi Heius
Tho only wish we German Catholics have
just now Is that Mgr. Schroeder DO retained;
first, because he is our only representative In
the faculty, and, 3 .condly, because he has been
80 ANONYMOUSLY attacked and 30 grossly SLAM
dered that his dismissal would DO t%antamount
to n triumph Of falsehood over truth, Of wrong
over right, and an insult to the entire body Of
the German Catholics"
The call which now goes forth for the removal
of Mgr. Schroeder has behind 1t much more in
hueuce than formerly, because II touches the
financial interests OF the university. The con-
test is between the 1rish-Amorican Catholics
and tho Gcrman-Amerloan Catholics. Tho
money which has so far flowed into the Golfers
OF the institution has been freely given, and 1t
has ali come from the Irish-Amsricans. The
Germans have contributed nothing; their first
contribution was TO be the endowment OF the
Gornanic chair. Bishop Keano was a money
raiser and invaluable as such. There are
many incidental expenses at tho uni
vorsity which can be met only by contributions
and such contributions must be made every
year. They fell of for several years on account
of the hard times. but since the rcmoval of
Bishop Keane the decrease has been much more
marked. This Is no disparagement of the pres
ent rector. Mgr. Conatv, who recognizes that
his talents do not lie In tho direction Of money
getting anu CONSEQUENTLY mas hitu III cHOTL
to secure such offerings. But the work must go
on or it must be stopped, and here is where tho
directors are confronted with q grave question.
The Irish.American Catholics. who have been
the stanch supporters of the university, point
to Mgr, Schroeder and ask how they
can be expected to support an institu-
tuition which persists in maintaining as
one OF its professors n man whose interests
are Numerically opposed to theirs. They have
neither forgotten nor forgiven tho part which
he played in the removal of their beloved Bishop
Keane. On the other hand, the Gcrman who
have given nothing, demanded that as u con-
dition OF their support Mgr. Schroeder must
remain. Both sides cannot BIO satisfied, but
unless something is done the financial condition
of the university is bound to suffer. At present
It is good, the writer is informed, but II is
threatened by the difficulties above set forth.
This matter will be called TO the attention Of the
directors, and they will be asked to say what
they are going to 10 about it.
AS long as only n fractional fight was in qucs-
ton the matter was unimportant TO the Church
at large. but II Mgr. Schroeder's presence at
tho university drives away liberal supporters, 1t
becomes a serious matter. Mgr. Schroeder has
been losing influence among the members Of tho
board and tho hierarchy in proportion as he has
been gaining fame among the German Catholics.
1t is said that the powerful Metropolitan OF
New York, Archbishop Corrigan, has not tho
same warm feeling for him that he entertained,
and that his influence will not be eScrted to
save him. The truth of this statement cannot
be asserted positively here. but II the statement
is true. there is little doubt that the movement
for Schroeder's deposition will succeed.
Practically the whole matter depends on tho
part which Cardinal Gibbons will play in the
case. His influence can determine whether
Mgr. Schroeder shall remain or not. He has ex-
erted his strength before this to keep peace in
the Church by permitting Mgr. Schroeder to
stay at the university. but the followers and ad-
mirers OF the Cardinal are beginning to wonder
why he permits the professor to attack openly
Archbishop Ireland. Archbishop Keane. and
others who obtain their inspiration from Balti-
more. In this case many believe it to be abso-
lutely necessary that he display unusual Arm
ness and stand by his friends.
The rise of Mgr. Schroeder since he arrived in
this country is something remarkable. 1t was
accomplished by the skilful manipulation Of the
German Catholic press. by innumerable speeches
made before German Catholic congresses, and
through tho opposition which developed to his
schemes. Mgr. Schroeder stands on the fact
that he Is O German. When no 10 attacked no
says that everything German is assaulted. and
also that he is attacked because he Is q German.
He has but ono object, which Is to solidify the
German Catholics in this country. which means
the maintenance Of the German language and
customs. with the idea that some day these viii
become a vast political influence. Of which he
will be the head and front. His ensign bears
on 1t 1.-THE Fatherland." meaning Germany.
He demands the preaching OF German in the
German Catholic churches, the teaching Of Ger.
man In the parochial schools Of these churches.
freedom Of speech and thought for Germans.
and liberty Of action as regards personal habits.
His efforts to consolidate the German Catholics
received Q severe setback when tho Propaganda
recently affirmed that no Catholic should be
forced to send his children to a parochtal school
where German was taught when he preferred
the English schools. and that Catholics were at
liberty to attend churches where the sermons
were in English in preference to those where
German was used, when they so desired.