The Irish standard., 1901-05-18

rival organizations from clashing.
Several questions present themselves
for the consideration of any society
DESTROYS of forwarding the movement:
/. Is there need of federation? The
answer, it seems to me, must be in the
affirmative. Passing over the other
reasons, this to my mind is the most
important-the possession and the ell
ioyment of the full rights of citizen
ship. We all know how Catholics are
Disseminated against; that we should
possess freedom of conscience in pub
lie institutions, and that the school
question should be settled on some la
sis which would satisfy the conscience
es of Catholics. Why should a system
of schools be maintained at common
expense wherein an element exists,
which prevents us from obtaining the
benefits of those schools; why should
we be compelled to bear the burden
of system which is obnoxious to our
convictions regarding education
which we hold should embrace the
whole man, cultivate both his moral
and his intellectual faculties-make a
good as we'll as wise man or woman
might refer to the Indian Schools,
chaplains in the army and navy, repre-
sentation on the boards of public in
situations to provide for religious wor.
ship, and to guard the faith and the
morals Of the Catholic inmates. The
press, however, has made our people
SO familiar with the injustice perpc-
trated upon Catholics at home and in
our new possessions. that it is unnec-
essary to develop these subjects. They
must, nevertheless, be referred to in
order that our Catholic laymen may
recognize that the POLICY of Silence"
has allowed us to be pushed to the
wall, and encouraged our enemies to
deprive us of our rights as well as
prevent us from enjoying them.
2. What are the objects to which
the federation should be devoted? So
cial, civil and religious. These objects
must be kept within proper bounds. It
might be better, perhaps, not to EN-
brace them all, in the beginning. Our
religious rights, in so far as they are
included in the rights of American cit
izenship, should be amply sufficient
for the federation, until the aims and
the methods of the organization have
become familiar.
3. Shall national federation be
formed on diocesan, archdiocesan O,
state lines?
This is a most important question,
and should receive the serious thought
of the societies. Much may be said in
favor of state lines, and then again
strong reasons are urged in favor OF
diocesan, as this method will eliminate
all danger Of conflict regarding do
cesar interests. 1t will be necessary
to consider, in this connection, how
the central federated diocesan, arch
diocesan, and national bodies or
boards, shall be formed; because it
appears that the societies should touch
only in the central body if harmony is
to be preserved.
4. Should your society appoint q
committee of men experienced in par.
liamentary matters to draft consti-
tuition, then meet the subcommittee
already in existence, and cndcavOr to
formulate 4 constitution for national
federation, to be presented to ecclesias-
teal authority for criticism and appro-
baton? The committees from the
various organizations should commu-
nicate with Mr.. Thomas p. McIenna,
Long Branch, N. j. In the meantime,
discussion Of the questions already re-
fcrred to should be continued to excite
interest, and state or diocesan fedora
ton proceed wherever the bishops are
rot opposed to the movement.
1 look upon this undertaking as very
IL IL DCt5 VII ulNl SOlllu-
ued on legitimate and conservative
lines, it will be productive Of the
greatest good; but should it be
launched without due thought, and en-
brace features which cannot commend
themselves to the wisdom and pru-
dence Of the clergy and the laity, the
result will be deplorable. BY taking
sufficient time for the views of the So
cieties to manifest themselves and by
forming constitution, which will, so
far as possible, coincide with the
views Of all, success may be
attained. When the committees,
from at least the principal ma
tional organizations, have met and
adopted constitution, the nation
al convention of federation can be
called, and the members thereof will
have something to work on, and to
put into final shape These commit
tees should have met and finished
their work before the first Of October
There is another point to which
would like to call special attention.
When we Catholics unite IN n body,
we select Il name which includes, as
rule, the, word Catholic" Some
times, Of course, the nature OF the
work renders this necessary, but there
are occasions when the use Of this
term misrerresents our position. No
one hears of q "MethOdiSt or OF All