Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-30
GROWTH OF RoMANIsM.

A few days ago Rev. Alexander P.
Doyle. a Roman Catholic preate, spoke
IN New York on the growth Of the Ro-
man church in this country during the
last 100 years Some Of the statistical
figures produced are exceedingly inter-
esting
He pointed out that in the year 1900
there were in this country forty priests,
and a Catholic population OF less than
100000. According to the census Of 1890
there were 1000 priests and a Catholic
community Of about twelve million
souls This numerical growth, he said.
is marvellous, but still more remarkable
is the internal strength of that church.
The speaker found that the Roman
organization today is prominently the
church Of the common people Of the
land. In the teeming cities she has
placed her strongholdsand her coercing,
restraining. uplifting and spiritualizing
power among the masses Of our popula-
ton IS tremendous ciyilizlng force,
intoxicating reverence for authority and
obedience, and the sacredness Of the
rights OF property"
In recounting the work Of the Roman
church. the speaker said:
when the church found the liquor
traffic a ravlsher OF the peoples hearts,
as well as OF their purse, It boldly
hurled rs thunderbolts against its
strongholds, denouncing the saloon as
a dlsreputable business, II has always
stood Tor the saving Of the Sunday
against the assaults Of irreligion and
avarice. Ii protects the home by vigor-
ously denouncing the divorce evil. To-
day she Is an Intellectual and social
force that Is to be counted upon
He further alleged that Romanism
and republicanism are twin sisters"
born OF the same mother; that in the
history of the world each has fostered
the other. and that both have been
united against the same enemies-bar-
barism and slavery.
This VIII be news to most readers Of
history Republlcanism, II the great
course Of world events is followed back
20 their sources, appears TO spring rather
from Professionalism than from Roman
ism. II reDublIcanism is the twin sis
ter Of Rumanism. she had certainly not
had any fair chance, until the other
twin sister was rudely deposed from the
civil seats Of government often by
revolutionary outbreaks that left de-
structlon and blood In their paths But
some allowance must be made per-
haps, FOR oratorlcal license, when the
aim ls TO produce an effect.
The interesting point is the phenom-
email growth OF Catholicism in this coun-
Try. II Il continues at the same ratio
for another century. where Will the
Protestant denominations be. as far as
their influence upon the affairs Of the
country goes? Some Of the largest
bodies are shrinking now, and II Is
doubtful whether spasmodlc "reyiyals"
cure The disease that seems to have
set In. The Catholics are already now
the strongest.
10 is useless to deny the fact that the
ust0mInance Of Catholicism IN any
country must have a decided influence
uual tho government An honest Cath
OF. must believe Ii his duty 70 shape his
caunty's affairs In accordance with the
aims and purposes Of his church.
He can not do otherwise.
Whether this can best be done
through a despotic government,
through q constitutional monarchy, or
through popular government, is a mat.
ter Of Indifference as long as the main
purpose is kept In view. And in this
sense republicanlsm is by no means an
enemy Of Romanism. II can occupy
the position Of her handmade, and
provided there are votes enough-be
made 20 obey as faithfully as did ever
Ferdinand aud Isabella serve the oc-
cupaut OF the ecclesiastical throne Of !
Rome.
Some Of the leaders OF Professionalism |
IN this country ARE extremely short
sighted. While they, plagued with |
Mormon phobia, are, like Saul OF |
old, hunting or David upon the noun
tains, power Is gathering around |
them, before which they cannot stand.
Their policy Ike that Of the haunted |
king OF Israel, lie suicidal.