The San Francisco call., 1899-05-01
So-Called "Americanism" Is
Denounced by the
Prelate.
CALLS IT A MONSTER
Pleased His Holiness Has Rooted
Out This Cookie From the
Field of Wheat"
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, April 30.-A Washing
ton special to the Herald says: Arch
bishop Corrigans letter to the Pope on
so-called 'Americanism' in the Roman
Catholic church has reached Washing
ton, and its translation into English
has caused a sensation in Catholic
circles.
Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishops Ire
land and Keane and even conservative
Archbishop Ketzer of Milwaukee and
Archbishop. Horstmann of Cleveland.
soIemnly protested to the Pope that
the errors which he had designated as
'Americanism" had no place in the
American Roman Catholic church.
The Archbishop of New York admits
the charges against the American Ro-
man Catholic, but stands alone among
the American hierarchy.
In the course of his letter, Archbish-
.op Corrigan calls "Americanism" "a
monster which, in order to acquire the
rights of citizenship among us, has as
sumed that fair name" and he adds
later Your Holiness roots out on its
very appearance this cookie from the
field of wheat" The letter is as fol-
lows
Most Holy Father: We cannot express
in words the feelings of admiration. of
JOY and gratitude with which our heart
has been penetrated toward your Holi-
ness in reading the mastery and admir-
able letter which you have deigned to
address to US on what for some time past
has been designated under the name of
"Americanism.'
1t is with greatest wisdom that your
10 cd fDfn
and fallacious errors which would like
to pass for good Catholic teaching under
the speCiOus title of "Americanism but
a the same time with what great pru-
dence. discretion and kindness as well as
with what force and clearness has your
Holiness fulfilled the mission of supreme
and infalhble teacher
In truth the last document of your
Holiness in wisdom is in no way inferor
to SO many others which in the course of
your glorious pontificate have excited the
universal admiration of peoples.
For us whom the Holy Ghost has
placed as Bishops to rule the church of
God under the infallible guidance of your
Holiness. we hasten to offer and to make
known to you our sentiments of admir-
ing and unqualified adhesion.
We receive and accept for ourselves,
our clergy and for the communities and
congregations which with us work for
the salvation of souls, as well as for all
''Testem benevolentae." We accept it
and make it our own. word for word,
sentence for sentence in the same iden-
tical sense in which your Holiness, fol-
lowing the tradition and wisdom of all
Christian antiquity, intends it, and
wishes that it should be understood by
US
In its regard we shall never make. nor
cbo1 6AnpnG-
ing from US, either directly or indirectly,
should make any reservation or tergiv-
ersation. Your Holiness has spoken. The
question is therefore ended. This thought
has given US great satisfaction.
We can say also that the monster,
which in order to obtain lasting abode,
to acquire rights of citizenship among
Us. assumed to itself the fair name of
''Americanism,' has on its first appear
ance been struck down dead. But it is to
you that the glory of this happy result is
due.
If your Holiness had not opportuney
come to our aid with your admirable let
ter. how numerous might have been those
who through ignorance, rather than
malice, would have been brought into
the trap. Bishops and clergy would
have had hard work to keep their people
out of error. It would have taken root
little by little, always increasing, and
soon we should have been pointed al with
the accusation of not being Americans.
Meanwhile, this false "Americanism,'
understood like other similar titles,
which TO the great delight of souls lasted
for ages among other nations. would have
TRANQUILITY taken possession in our midst.
piling high up its conquests in enormous
proportions Of time and place. 1t is there
fore that we rejoice greatly, that by rea-
son of your infallble teaching We have
not to transmit to our successors the un-
grateful task Of fighting an enemy which
would not have died.
And now. with our heads high. we can
repeat that we are Americans as truly
as any one. whoever he may be- Yes, we
are. and we glory in it. We glory in it
because our nation is great in it's insti-
tutions and in it's undertakings: great in
its development and in it's activity: but
In the matter of religion and the doctrine
Of discipline, of morally of Christian
perfection. we glory in following implic-
lilly the Holy See.
For these reasons we are and shall ever
be most grateful to your Holiness, who,
by your imperishable letter, "Testem
benevolentae has said to us and to all
Catholics of America, "Signal blessing"
Yes, by testimony of kindness your Holi-
ness roots out on its very appearance the
cookie from the field of wheat.
Nav the all-powerful Lord preserve the
health of your Holiness for many more
years, so that your Holiness may, with
your own eyes, see ripen to perfectness
the fruit of your apostolic vigilance.
PROSTATE at the feet of your Holiness,
and kissing them with profound respect,
we implore for us for our clergy and for
our flock apostolic benediction.
For Bishops of ecclesiastical province,
your province
MICHAEL AUGUSTINE.
Archbishop of New York
New York March 49, 1899
SENATOR CLARKE SUED.
BUTTE. Mont, April 3O.-state Senator
Fred Whiteside who brought about the
Senatorial hriherv eynnsilra has hro1l.,l,t