The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-22

in this country, for to the conversion
of the Irish by ST. Patrick was due
the awakening of Europe which led to
the struggle for freedom, until it cul:
minated triumphantly in the demo-
cratic institutions of this blessed and
thrice happy land.
At the time when the black pail of
ignorance had settled over Europe and
it seemed that civilization had per-
ished, the hand of God in Il distant
isle, almost unknown, was establish
ing a new civilization, destined to re-
place the republic of infamy and cor
ruption by one of light, liberty, law
and justice, destined to remain until
the end of time. the supreme achieve
ment of man and the highest monu-
ment of Gods mercy, to his creatures.
ut was in y. ID. 40 that Hanorius
withdrew the Roman forces from
Britain and i'll All, Il youth was taken
captive by band of marauding Irish,
and carried into captivity on Irish soil.
Far from developing hatred for those
who held him in bondage. he formed
the purpose of converting them from
their darkness and ignorance. Later.
he escaped to France. but he never
abandoned the purpose which he had
formed. He took orders and finally
obtained from the pope authority to
set out OH his mission of conversion.
"Patrick's mission was IL success.
almost unique i'll the history of the
world, and before he died. the whole
people had embraced Christianity.
More than that. they developed an cx-
traortlinaly liking for learning and the
arts which he taught them and by the
end of the fifth century Ireland had
become a very garden of literature
and the arts.
"1rish missionaries had Dredched the
gospel Of Jesus Christ in many parts
of Europe. and there WAS IL constant
stream of the godly men flowing al
over the continent. To the work OF
these men whose names have persisted.
but whose monument remains in the
growth of free institutions throughout
the world, we owe in large measure
the formation of our own free govern
ment.
: wherever the Christian faith is
preached and adopted there can be
only one form of government and that
is democratic. Religious belief is fol-
lowed by political institutions based
upon the principles of Christianity.
The first step in the march of freedom
was taken when they listened to the
christian missionaries and from that
day every hour that passed over their
heads was one of progress TO this
origin is traced the suppression of
slavery, Which was universal. The i'll
stitution of chivalry raised woman to
high respect and almost vencration in
which she WAS held by knightllool
and the control Of men over their own
labor and the enjoyment of it's fruits.
the invention of printing and the free
circulation of ideas also arose from the
same cause and as men began to in
quire into the reason for the various
institutions. personal and democratic
government was demanded by those
who were called upon to contribute
to it.
at has been said that the church
that Patrick founded and the civiliza-
ton he preserved and the faith he
preached are in some way hostile to Il
republican government The Catholic
church, however, is not only the source
of republicanism. but it constituted
the model upon which this republic
has been constituted and built.
1T is i'll regard to the principle of
authority that the Catholic church
stands unique as a model of this re-
public. This constitution is secure be-
cause it contains within itself the
power to interpret it's provisions by
an authority to which all must bow.
1t is by the Interpretation of the con-
stitution and not by its words that the
scheme of liberty which we enjoy has
been established and formed.
Perhaps the trainers of the govern
ment did not know it, but they fol-
lowed the lines of the Catholic church
almost exactly. But in all the world
there was no other model except the
church upon which such govern
ment could be constructed. In the
civil affairs of the government, the
duty of the state does not cease with
the enactment of the law. but it must
see to it's execution, and must inter-
pref it at all times.
Nowhere is the duty and right of
the state to interpret the law exempli-
fled as well as in the United States.
Why have all attempts to initiate this
constitution failed? All around we see
the ruins Of tile attempts, but this
constitution stands as firm as a rock.
Why is it?
ut is not because it is written, for
many others have been written, and
have fallen. 1t is not because Of it's
elaborate precautions for the protec-
ton of the individuals; France drew up
constitution. giving all possible
rights to the individual, but it did not
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