Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-04-17

away. Catholics and non-Catholics
differ from one another in creeds and
spiritual allegiance; but as true Amer
leans, they respect anu accord to one
another their civil and social freedom,
al working together in peace and har-7
mony for Che greater veal of society
and country. The problem before the
church III America was whether the
Catholic religion could prosper in an at
mosphere Of absolute freedom without
an aid or prop from the state organiza-
tion or even from compact social or ma
tional traditions, whether from its In
nate vigor, watered by the dews of
heaven alone, it could live and prosper.
To one who believes in the divine origin
of the Catholic faith or has read dill
gently ito story of the ages, the issue of
the problem should never have been
catholics been to see the church allied
with the state. or working only in pop
ulaticns in whose souls 1t vas encrusted
by accretions of centuries, that many in
America and more so in Europe, were
not willing to trust to its vitality when
planted suddenly. as it were. in a will
derness TO battle alone unprotected,
with drouth and tempest The problem
4
reason that whether for woe or veal.
the entire world is seen to be rapidly
drifting toward the social and political
conditions of America and the church
on trial in America Is on trial for the
world.
In America the Catholic faith was
on trial and SO was democracy itself in
sits relations with religion. and here is
the cause of so many attacks made on
the American church. Those attacks
Iicovertly are attacks on democracy. 1t
would have been most convenient for
the reactionary theorist TO be able 10
say TO Catholics the world over. Your
church cannot thrive in IL democracy,
FIN the full freedom which democracy
ensures Thank God to such theorists
I both American and Catholic. the church
and American democracy have given
saddest disappointment.
In my earnest desire that the Catholic,
church In America shall be all that God
intends her to be. all that her opportu-
mites propel her to be. may | be allowed
to say to Catholics of America, BE in
the truest and best meaning of the word
Americans. loving America. loving its
institutions, devoted to its interests.
chary in blaming it, ardent in defending
II. There is among us. am not afraid
!, TO say. disposition to criticise at every
moment. to rejoice in criticsing, exar-8
Rerate faults, minimize virtues, pile up
grievances, grunble perpetually. Such
d disposition is unpatriotic and does
Imost serious harm to the Catholic faith
in the eyes of intelligent. earnest Ameri-
cans. Let 1t disappear for good. Surely
| the time has Gonna IN laoxa =, ~ -,
spirit which the days of real persecution
II tnhe olden times did beget, to live off
the present and the future, to reach
lcourageously but honorably forward
| towards the elevation OF our people In
character as well as to the condition of
freemen. Let US be just to America and
row proclaim that nowhere. all things
duly considered, is the church freer rhan
N America: nowhere as in America is
she allowed to live in untrammelled
freedom and prosper as her forces and
the zeal of her sons permit
i From yonder pallium has come my
inspiration. In words that burn with
Geepest teeiing and most earnest action
the pallum that touches the shoulders
Oh John joseph keane speaks to me as
~ does TO my hearers of the church and
country, sacred love for one and aroth-
er, Intelligent devotion to the veal of
one and the other. Friend of priestly
and espiscopal years. my fellow soldier
and my'leader in all the causes that we
believed to be servlceable to the church
and the country will this day speak in
the name OF the church and America.
and say exceedingly one and the other
rejoice that you are seated in the full
panoply of archepiscopal dignity and
authority upon Dubuque's cathedral
chair. The church of America and
America are sure from Dubuque to 20
forth henceforward in the sweetness
and power of mighty influence for
good in the aid of religion and patriot
ism
Following the sermon a congratula-
tory address from the clergy OF the dio-
J lcese was made by the Rev. DR.. Carroll,
president Of st. Joseph's College, Du-