The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-10
FREEDOM or RELIGION.

FREEDOM or RELIGION.
Archbshor Chappelle expects to
spend an hour or two with President
" 'l<inley tomorrow or perhaps carly
next week, and he will then go to New
Orleans to lock after the interest OF his
diocese, and as soon as convenient
thereafter will go to Porto Rico, and.
after the Spanish troops have departed
from Cuba, will visit that island. Later
he may go t. the Philippines.
He feoSs the responsibility and the
opportunity which his official character
places upon him. He will have more
influence with the people of Porto Rico
and of Cuba so far as moral influence
and a good understanding of the pur-
poses Of the United States are con-
Cerncd, than will the military governor
of those islands
His first duty, aside from the tech
nical and official obligations relating
TO church affairs. will be, he says. to
impress upon the people of the Antilles
this fact which they do not at present
fully understand, namely, that the Uni
ted states, while it has no state relig-
ion, and under its constitution can
have none, nevertheless is expressly
pledged to protect every citizen in all
his religious rights and to guarantee
10 him the fullest liberty to worship
God after the manner which his con-
science approves.
He will explain so the Catholics OF
Porto Rico abd Cuba that they are as
safe in their religious associations and
responsibilities under the government
of the United States as they would be
under that of Great Britain or under
that of Spain.
This government will impose no bur
drns upon them, upon their church,
| upon their church property which it
does not impose upon the citizens of
the United states, and the only bur
dans of that kind are those which ciu-
Zenship involves, obedience 20 law.
There will he no taxing Of churches
or of church property for the benefit OF
| the state. whereas. on the other hand,
that property will receive the fullest
protection which the power of the
| United States can give.
But aside from this, the archbishop
| is OF the opinion that he car inform
the people of Cuba and of Porto Rico
and later on of the Philippines with
/
/ institutions and the purpose OF the
| American people better probably, than
any Of the military officers, since he
will go to those people clothed with the
| authority of the church and represent
irg in no sense officially the authority
| Of the government of the United
States.
NO TRIBUTE FROM CHURCH
he will persuade them that they
have uothing to fear but everything to
hope when they are under the protec-
! ion of and are allied in such manner
as may be deemed wise by congress to
! the United States. He means to per-
suade them that this government does
not expect to exact tribute or revenue
from them. That its only hope is, so
! far as revenue is concerned. that in
credsing trade relations may be ot
! mutual benefit.
This government proposes to protect
them in every right that its own citi-
zens enjoy and to guarantee them all
the bless of civil and religious lib
erty. 1t will encourage them in the de-
| yalopments of their own resources and
It will aid them in all ways proper for
future uHder such protection is in their
own hands and If they do not take ad-
vantage of the opportunity which is
now theirs they themselves will be the
| chief sufferers.
The archbishop says that a great deaI
SO far as early successes are concerned
| will depend upon the first organization
He hopes that some Of the mistakes
I'll tA1 In,
struction era will be avoided
! lie believes that under pfoper organ
iZation, the economic, commercial and
social advantages which can be made
To flow from the new relation of these
people will begin very soon to show
themselves and will establish conf.
dence both on the part Of the people of
the Antilles and of the Philippines and
also on the part of the people of The
| United States
The archbishop has no doubt tha1
under wise guidance, prudent organ
.zation, statesmanlike handling of thc
questions which will he before this gov.
ernment, the benefits which viii fov
both to the people of the United States
ana To those recently under Spain!
dominion will far surpass the eXpec
tations even of the most ardent sup
porters of expansion but Will also d,
that much sooner than any of us nov
believe to be possible.
1t will be his endeavor, therefore, Il
have sthe first steps taken wisely. liz
will use all his authority and mfuenc,
in the Antilles to give the people there
confidence in the purposes of the United
states He has abiding faith i'm tn
president and his administration anC
he has no doubt that congress will rise
To the full measure of the statesman
ship which the situation demands.
This then, is the view as fully Sc
forth as official obligations make pos
sible of the clergyman who is not only
10 represent the supreme authority o
his church, but also as an American
citizen to teach these peoples wha
American citizenship is and what tn
inspiring purpose of the United State
must be with respect to these new re
sponsbilities, and his faith and cour
age and confidence in his country ma,
be set beside the appalling and pessi
mstic and almost suspicious view
which DIR. Parkhurst saw fit to give hi
hearers on Thanksgiving Day.