The evening times., 1899-09-20
ireland on Christian Democracy.

The open letter of Archbishop Ireland on
Christian Democracy is attracting
great deal of attention which is quite de-
served. This eminent prelate is always at
his best when busy with subjects relating
to his faith and church. In the present in
stance he has produced a piece of work
which, whether it is regarded from the lit
erary or controversial viewpoint, must be
accorded the highest honor. The letter
will be accepted and treated as an encycli-
cal containing and covering the whole
ground and doctrine of the American party
in the Catholic Church. 1t will be picked
in pieces and resented in France, Spain,
and Austria by doctors of divinity who
know nothing Of the conditions and neces-
stiles of the church in the United States,
and it will probably please the Pope whose
personal, though perhaps not always pub
lie, attitude toward Christian Democracy
is understood TO be more than complacent.
Monsignor Irelapd's practical argument
for political activity among his coreligion-
lists, is perhaps the most interesting part
of his text, and the one most likely to
convince the Vatican that his position at
large is right. He says:
The Democratic regime increases the oblisa-
tions OF the simply faithful toward the church,
and extends the held OF their devotion by making
of them active members of the governmental
body, and by opening TO their efforts access TO
the higher ranks of the civil hierarchy. Ii i'm
poses upon them share in the duties apper
tanning to the sovereigns, and creates for every
OF them-a personal responsibility in the sit
uation OF the church. This situation depends upon
~.
as citizens, their collaboration in the common
work, and on the conviction which they know
how TO impress that the fruitfuiness OF their
civic cooperation proceeds from their entire
fidelity TO the inspirations of integral Catholi-
cisTn.
The learned writer is himself a shining
instance of churchman who has gained
great ascendancy as a citizen; thereby in
creasing his power to secure favors for or
prevent injuries to his organization. No
Republican National Committee would
think Of laying out plan OF campaign in
the Northwest without consulting the
Archbishop of St. Paul. His influence over
the Catholic voters of his party is as di-
rect and generally controlling as that of
Mr.. Croker over Tammany. As an illus
tration of this it may be said that much
of Mr.. McKinley's strength in 1896, in the
Middle West, was developed after the par
ty managers. in much perturbation of spir-
it, had consulted Monsignor Ireland in the
month of September in that year.
There can be no doubt that thera is still
a strong opposition in the Roman Catholic
Church, in America, to the very liberal
views held and expressed by the Arch
bishop. His modus yivendi with the state
on the public school question; his fearless
and independent action as a practical ma
chine politician, and his intimate and
hearty association with prominent Repub-
lican manipulators and wire-pullers like
Hanna, Senator Elkins, and others all COM
bine to offer the object lesson of good
bishop, who is not the less good politi-
clan, a good mixer, and able to hold his
own with the best in doubtful districts.
Christian Democracy. which. in his case,
would be better described as Christian
Practical Politics, is in his person its own
couplete demonstration