The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-01-26
CATHOLIC FEDERATION.
Notable Address by the Eloquent Arch
bishop RYAN.

At reception rendered to Archbish-
op Ryan, of Philadelphia, by Catholic
societies of that city, the distinguished
prelate spoke in part as follows:
1--WE need union-that union by
which alone we can he strong-not by
political bonds, but by the supernatural
bonds of our Catholicity. The myster-
iouS. marvellous exhibition which the
church gives, of people of different ma
tions and diverse languages united in
one organization. is the wonder of the
world. Therefore, we have Il power for
union that is not found anywhere else.
Yet that union must be one of prU-
dcncc. If there is Il question where
the safety of the church is concerned,
there is IL power to bring us together to
defend it. But let us not be aggressive;
rather let us trust our generous coun-
try; let us trust the men who, with
few exceptions, have proved them
selves to be honest and fair-minded.
But let us avoid being drawn into any
aggressive movement. Let us show II
frank, open, generous, American spirit.
Let us unite as Americans, as we'll as
| Catholics.
"Thc mere human spirit in every
country, is antagonism to the spirit of
the church. The world would love you
if you were of the world. The Catho-
lie must expect to be ostracised by the
world in certain measure, because
he is not in harmony with it, This
country has no non-Catholic distin-
gushing feature All religions are Civ
on equal freedom by the laws. Men
are not so much opposed to the Catho-
lie church as they are to what they
think is the Catholic church. But,
thinking men are coming to recognize
the church as conservative unit,
which will stand as Il barrier and de-
fence for law and order and peace, i'll
the day of rebellion against power
Let us advance in conservative, pr,l-
dent spirit. The time will come when
the world will again come to the old
church, and will say protect us AS IL
poet, addressing the church, has said:
Europe, rcpcntant ut thy shrine, shall
sue to be forgiven The world shall
say. Protect the sacredncss of the mar
riagc bond. protect society from the
evils of divorce, protect the state. the
world; teach our little children con-
corning God and purify; have the
teaching of Christianity in our schools
every day, because we are going to de-
struction for lack of this The world
will see that we are right The old
church knows the human heart. She
has the accumulated experience of cen
turtles, and in her truth is the salvation
Of this and every country on Gods
carth.'
Tho archbishop said he had always
felt the deepest interest in the total
abstinence movement. II saw it in it's
cradle as it We're. l was there when
Father Mathew commenced his work,
and was among the first that took the
pledge from him. saw the movement
extending throughout nations, bringing
hcncdiction. peace, joy. prosperity to
those who became members of it, and
influencing the outside world. am
reioiced that it has prospered, from
the beginning, in this diocese, and am
glad to learn that the literary societies
are coming into it. If the heart is not
right-if young men are not temperate,
oure-their intellects will be influenced,