The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-23
SOUND POLITICAL DOCTRINE.

Every believer in republican political
institutions doubtless regarded with
regret the scenes of violence prevailing
in France as the result of the enforce
ment of the school laws. Without TAX
ing sides for or against the people who
appeared ready to go to such extreme
lengths in opposition to the closing of
the sisters schools, it was impossible
to lose sight of the fact that the law,
whether just or unjust, directed the
closing of the schools, and that the Of
ficers of the law were simply its in
struments engaged in its enforcement.
The masses of the French people are
evidently hostile to the existing law
regarding the religious congregations
engaged in educational work. The
way to oppose those laws was plainly
not that of attacking the officers of the
law. Their successful enforcement
was inevitable, no matter what appar-
ent injustice was involved. The pub
lie opinion which found expression in
the popular outbreaks, if it possessed
be powerful enough to secure the re-
peal, or at least some serious modifi-
cation, of such laws.
1t would have been rather difficult
for the most disinterested or devoted
friend of Catholic education or Cath
Ollie teachings to have urged such a
view during the prevalence of the bit
ter manifestations of displeasure and
opposition by the French people. Any
such a view would necessarily be re-
garded as unfriendly, coming from any
ordinary source. But the head of the
Catholic church himself has now spo-
ken, and his words are such as will be
read with approval and pleasure by
Catholic and non Catholic alike who
wish well to the cause Of republican
government in France.
The views of his holiness, as con-
veyed through Cardinal Rampollo, are
stated in the following sentences:
"The politically inclined Catholics in
France too often have forgotten recently
| moderation and proud sense. We regret
the obstinacy of Catholics who confuse
politics with religion and always intrust
their legitimate claims to those parties
opposing a republican government. We
| reprove, also, the sterile and disgraceful
agitation which Is being substituted for
legal action. Such things as fighting the
officers of the law in order to retain con-
gregations legally expelled, refusing to
pay taxes, ETC., are based upon anarchic
principles, which the Catholic church can
not encourage"
Why the Catholic church has been
recognized in every land and in every
age as the great CONSERVATION of public
order will be made palmer to all, even
it's enemies, who read these words.
| They embody the essence Of good citi-
zenship: They should be at once an
| inspiration and warning to French
Catholics. No matter what a mans
religious opinions may be, or whether
he has any religious convictions what
ever, if he is the citizen of land
where representative political institu-
tons prevail, as they do in France,
and where the control of the majority
is the rule Of public conduct, he must
obey the mandates of the law, and
seek his remedy for the laws injustice
through the means which the laws and
constitutions Of his country provide.
This is the, view of Pope Leo, and it
expresses sound political as well as
moral, principle.