The Irish standard., 1900-06-23

OlAC LlcIl dIlQ women whose fortunes
count up into the millions, and not a
mention in their wills OF single edu-
cational or charitable institution. Their
ready reply will be: They are always
giving Let me say, l know by ex-
perience how much they give, and they
are aware that it bears no comparison
whatsoever with the gifts OF the poor.
"What others bestow for human mo-
tives, for the perpetuation OF the family
! name, some of our people will not even
part with for supernatural motives.
The only reasonable explanation of this
phenomenon which now occurs to ME,
is that many OF our people have had so
severe struggle In the acquisition OF
wealth that the very tenacity which has
been the cause OF their success prevents
them from disposing of their goods with
the liberality and thoughtfulness which
become the Christian, who must be
convinced that his wealth belongs not
to him alone, since he is but the steward
OF Gods gifts and will be held response
BILE for their use and distribution. What
magnificent work our institutions could
perform if all Our people would come
forward with requisite pccuniary assist
ance!
Cardinal Manning has we'll said: 1T
is bad will that has not the name OF
our dear Lord among the heirs We
may be more explicit and add: "A will
wherein neither educational nor charita.
bic work is duly remembered is I'M
worthy OF a Catholic
There is another question in which
would like you to engage your atten-
ton. | mean our parochial schools.
Why are we obliged to maintain a sys-
tenn of public schools IN which we can
have no part? Why are we compelled
to bear the burden OF double taxation?
Clearly because the state disregards the
rights OF conscience, and maintains only
schools TO which we cannot, as Catho-
lies, send our children. What cruel
injustice is this! This educational diff
Guilty has been adjusted in other coun-
tries. Why can not it be satisfactorily
settled here in America?
There has grown UP here class OF
people, mainly the product OF the pub
lie schools, whose chief characteristic
is illogical, superficial, but very loud
thinking. The constant cry OF these
fanatics is: Our public school system
is the safeguard OF the nation The
truth is that mere intellectual training
without the education OF the heart,
without the dictates OF religion and
morals to curb and direct, to strengthen
and to guide, is indeed very dangerous.
not only to the individual, but to So
cicty as well. All experience bears out
this position; and the fact is that in our
country crime is out Of proportion with
the population-as result of the per-
nicious system of education.
The Catholic views the present re-
lgious condition OF our country with
the greatest alarm, and is convinced
that since his fellow citizens are not
educated up to the point OF concediug
our rights, that the present parochial
school must be continued as bulwark
against a system which is SO rapid
ly Notwithstanding and dcmoralizing
!! America.
"Allow me to dwell, for 4 moment,
on a subject which must interest every
knight, viz, the support OF Catfoli:
literature. The press has become the
mighticst engine OF the nineteenth ccn-
tury. 1t can be employed to immense
advantage i'll the dissemination OF truth.
Yet how many Catholic families Sub
scribe for Catholic newspaper, Cath
olic periodical, or possess even a small
| library of Catholic books? The atmos-
phcrc OF the home cannot be kept Cath
olc in our day without Catholic litcra-
ture. l do not hesitate to say that the
support given to the Catholic press is a
disgrace to the Catholics OF America.
These are thoughts which come up
prominently in my mind on this occa-
sion. | bescech for them the patronage
OF the Knights OF Columbus. Some one
has said that we need an 'apostolate Of
the laity.' No truer words were ever
uttered You must not leave the bur-
den to be borne altogether by the clergy.
We are powerless without the strong
arm OF the laity. Remember the spirit
OF iortitude, religion and piety which
inspired Columbus, the heroic figure
whose name you bear; cultivate the en-
thusiasm in holy cause which enabled
him to triumph over adversely and per-
secution. AS you vencrate his name, let
his magnanimity characterize your or
ganization. Convinced OF the truth OF
Catholic principles, go forward cour-
ageously and your efforts will command
success. Form connecting link in
the chain OF societies composed OF Cath
olics and assist in formulating some
plan whereby the interests to which
have referred may be advanced by con-
ccrtcd action and the forming of public
opinion. Thus will you eliminate injus-
tice and propagate religion, truth and
virtue by word and example"
| nAIEn rtlc Mnnr1luIe