The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-05-19

W eouei dt certain points, that, Will,
: retaining their identity and pursuin,
their own aims independently of othe
organizations, there should be bono
OF union enabling them in given circum
stances to exert a united influence.
: Let me not be misunderstood; | hav,
not the remotest idea of advocating ;
Catholic, German or an Irish party il
America, but believe that when Their,
is question of our rights, as Christian.
and as Catholics, we should be in a DO
sition to maintain and protect them i,
an intelligent, forcible and Legitimate
manner.
1t we were so organized can it be
supposed for moment that the present
administration would have passed owe,
IN silence the outrages against religion
perpetrated in the Philippines, or thai
those blinded by religious prejudices
would have been selected to investigate
and report upon affairs intimately con.
nected with the welfare of the Catholic
religion in those countries which have
lately come under the flag of the United
States?
I Again, if that influence to which our
numbers relative to the entire popula-
ton OF the country entities us had been
manifested in the proper channel, it is
evident that the same administration
would not dare treat so unjustly our
Indian schools, and virtually destroy
their usefulness by refusing proper Pc
cuniary support. Bigots are clamoring
for the conversion of the inhabitants OF
our new possessions to creed that is
fast undermining its own foundation,
the Bible, while closing their eyes to
the disgraceful treatment of our own
noble native races. The red man who,
under the 'black robes" and the sisters
would have been civilized and Christian
lied, has been converted by the bullet
OF the rifle, his bones lie bleaching OH
our plains, side by side with those of the
bison, and the footsteps of his descend
ants, becoming fewer and fewer, are all
pointed toward the setting sun.
Spain has many crime to answer for,
but in all her colonies she has saved
the native races and taught them,
through the priests and religion of the
Catholic church, the tenets of Chris
tianity and the arts of civilization.
Finally, let me add that we are enti-
tied to a greater number OF chaplains in
the army and navy. Catholics have
poured out their blood like water on
land and sea under the flag of their
country, and the least they can ask is
that when the warriors soul is about
to meet the warriors God" they should
receive the consultations OF that religion
which has planted patriotic aspirations
in their hearts. And yet how many
brave Catholic lad has given forth his
soul to his creator in the late war de-
prived of the assistance of a priest, sim
ply because the men in power do not
appreciate the necessity of the religious
consultations which we hold so dear, but
which would be valued, for the sake of
policy, at least, did we raise our voices
high enough to compel attention.
Let the A. O. H. take determined
stand in this matter; let them take part
in forming general organization of all
societies composed of Catholics, ire
spective of nationality, in such manner
that in our state legislatures and in the
national congress the voice of Catholics
may be heard with effect when there is
question of our religious rights under
the constitution, or the redress of griev-
ances.
Wishing you, gentlemen of the nation
al convention, every success, and send
ing you my blessing, am
Very truly yours,
(Signed.) JAMES A. McFAUL,
Bishop of Trenton.
Bishops house, Trenton, N. J., May E.
Mgr. Conaty's letter was of con-
gratulatory nature, and expressed the
thanks of the Catholic university for the
establishment of Gaelic chair by the
order.
DR.. Cornelius F. Mccarthy, of New
York, chairman on the committee on
ladies auxiliary at this session, reported
that after comforting with the committee
from the ladies' auxiliary it was found
that the delegates to that body, number
ing 32, representing sixteen states, the
Canadian provinces and the District of
Columbia, did not desire any radical
changes in the present constitution.
The requests of the ladies were to
have sign of recognition established
between the A. o. H. and L. A.; that
100000 copies of the national presidents
address be issued for the use of the wo-
men, and that there be biennial sessions
of the organization held in conjunction
will the A. o. H., the same to be called
to order by the national vice president
of the A. o. H.
Those requests the committee consid-
cred reasonable, and on recommends
ton were adopted.
Though it was expected that there
would be much opposition to another
change, namely, to allow the members
OF the auxiliary the privilege of wear
ing the A. o. H. button, the recommen-
dation of the committee that this privi-