The Irish standard., 1900-05-26
SENSIBLE ADVICE TO CATHOLICS.

In his letter to the A. y. ii. national
convention at Boston, Right Rev. James
A. McFaul, D. D., the bishop OF Tren-
ton, N. J., said among other things:
1T seems to ME that all societies COM
posed of Catholics should endeavor to
touch at certain points, so that, while
retaining their identity and pursuing
their own aims independently of other
organizations, there should be bond
of union enabling them, in given cir
cumstances, to exert a united influence"
The Irish Standard believes the bisl-
op is right in what he says. In union
there is strength, and tremendous in
fiuence can be exerted by the various
Catholic societies in the country OF
every nationality if they only come clos
er together and act in unison whenever
necessary. There are some twelve mil
lion Catholics in the United States at
the present time, but their influence is
not felt because they keep separate and
apart except in divine worship. Two
millions OF them exercise the right of
suffrage but they are ignored in national
affairs, notwithstanding the fact that
they perform their duties as loyal citi-
zens of the republic and are always
ready to defend it from domestic and
foreign foes.
The present administration has DELHI
erately ostracised them from every COM
mission appointed to deal with the
Catholic inhabitants OF Porto Rico and
the Philippines, and even in Cuba they
have received not the slightest recogni-
ton. That is not because there are no
Republicans among them. 1t will be
remembered that in the presidential
election OF 1896 certain Catholic pre-
late was induced to issue circular let
ter which was used as campaign docu-
ment in behalf of William Mckinley
What benefit came from it to Catholics
we have never been able to find out.
The Catholic citizens of the United
States will be derelict in their duty to
God and humanity if they fail to pre-
vent the reelection of man who has
trampled on the constitution of his
country in more ways than one. The
Catholic inhabitants of our newly-ac-
quired territory are not deemed worthy
OF freedom and citizenship by the Nc
Kinley gang of imperialists, and they
are deprived of the rights of religious
liberty in violation of the fundamental
laws of this land While all this is 60
ing on, why do Catholics remain silent
and inactive? Because they are not
properly organized, and are kept aloof
by racial prejudices.
In his timely letter Bishop McFaul
says: Let me not be misunderstood:
l have not the rcmotest idea OF advo-
eating Catholic, German or an Irish
party in America, but l believe that
when there is question OF our rights,
as Christians and as Catholics, we
should be in a position to maintain and
protect them in an intelligent, forcible
and legitimate manner" We heartily
endorse every word OF that. Though
unwilling to advocate the formation OF
Catholic party in this country, the
Irish Standard believes that the time
has come when Catholics should speak
out openly and above board and let poll
ticians understand that they must have
the rights guaranteed to them by the
American constitution. When an in
justice is done to Catholics under the
flag for which Catholics have. Tough,
and bled, it is right and proper that
they should lift up their voices and
protest against the outrage. Will they
do it?
1t is time that Protestant prejudice
be rebuked in the land of Washington
and Jefferson. The benevolent Metho-
dist who now occupies the chair they
once filled has no conception Of true
J liberty. He has during his administra.