The Irish standard., 1901-02-16

uuu Tue CONSTITUTION OIL lue Oullcll
States in the other. He believes that
that priest who is best versed in the
history and constitution of his country,
and in the philosophy of events which
eliminated in bringing out Of chaos
and disorder the most symmetrical and
perfect form of government in the
world, is capable of doing the most
good. Our institutions are near and
dear to the hearts of all the people
While there may be some imperfections
we would not exchange ours for any
form of government known to man
With its perfect organization, there is
no. more potent force for good in Amer
lea than the Catholic church. The
church should lead, not follow, in the
great social reforms that touch the
hearts of the American people. In the
agitation for temperance reform, the
church should be in the van, not in the
rear. In the enforcement of every hui
name and wholesome law it should
take affirmative action, not remain ST.
lent or passive. In every movement
that tends to refinement, sobricty,
cleanliness, education, culture and hui
manity, the church should lead. Aye,
in everything that tends to make the
nation great, and strong, and good. the
influence of the church should be eX-
erted. The Catholic layman believes
that il this is not religion, it is Il very
close approach to it. Greed and dogma
are Indispensable, but he believes that
little social intermiNing of dogma
with state craft would popularizc the
church, without any sacrifice of princi-
pie, and would tend to Il very large
extent, to place the Catholic layman
upon higher plane, and give him II
fairer and better chance in the battle
Of life than he has had in the past. by
his efforts he has built the churches.
schools and seminarieS. After build
ing them, he has generously maintained
them. He has supported the clergy
and the hierarchy with unfaltering de-
votion. That reciprocal relation of love
and confidence and gratitude should
inhcre in all hearts.
And now. not wishing to add any
thing to the words of welcome adj
dressed to our distinguished guest, the
Catholic layman, by whose courtesy |
am permitted to speak this evening.
extends royal welcome to our new
chief: as we see in him the priest, the
bishop AMI the crrlcSiaStic, We also see
in him the best clements of the Catho-
lie layuan and Staunch American citi-
zen, whose presence and Influence Will
tend to the uplifting to Il higher plane,
not only in spiritual, but in Il temporal
way as we'll. of every child of the
church.
This unusual, unprecedented but aus
piciouS occasion should sink deep into
our hearts and into our memories. 1t
should be the herald of more important
events vet to come. SignaliZrd by TIN"
gracious presence of the head of the
church in the northwest. accompanied
by several of the most worthy of the
conSccratcd soldiers of Christ. tonight'S
gathering should serve to recall to us
the words of the sweet poet:
Long. long be my heart with sweet
memories tllld,
Like the vase in which roses have once
been lStilIu;
You may break, you may snattcr the
vase, il you WILL
The scent of the roses will hang round
it still"
At the close of the banquet the toast
master then introduced his Grace
Archbishop Kcane who was received
with applause. He first spoke of the
pleasure it gave him to meet the
knights of Columbus and of the splen-
did entertainment they had given him.
He thanked Judge Mathews, the grand
knight, for his warm words of welcome
and promises of cooperation. He said
he was pleased to have Attorney Fitz-
patrick outline the nature and progress
of the organization il, order that he
might know and understand them bet
ter. Ie said that the knights realized
that there was an influence greater and
more powerful than that welded by
the knights of the sword and lance.
That influence was the influence and
power of lOve-l0ve of country. love Of
home and love of family; love of tire
right and hatred of the wrong. The
keynote, he said. had been touched by
Mr.. Mccarthy. when he said that the
Catholic clergy and the Catholic lay
men must go hand in hand. He said
that if they were true knights they
would war against every vice that tend
ed to destroy the purity and sanctity
of the home. They ought to shame the
keepers of vice and say to them and
those who countennncCM vice, are you
vampires and beasts; is the man dead
within YOU? Is 1t your sole aim to
fatten OH corruption? Have you II
home, have you a son, have you II
daughter, and do you desire to lay the
snare that would destroy their virtue
and their purity and their lives?" He