The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-08-16
under which they enjoy the amplest
degree Of civil and religious liberty.

under which they enjoy the amplest
degree Of civil and religious liberty.
The American government does not
claim tire right to appoint pastors in
American territcry; but it does ask
that the Church herself shall substi-
tute in her own way in the Philippine
Islands Catholic friars with American
proclivities in the place of Catholic
friars with Spanish procivities. When
we recall THE historic antagonism be-
tween Latin and Teutonic ideals can
we shut our eyes to the fact that the
Spanish friars possessing that patriotic
fervor characteristic of their race will
unwittingly. it may be, but none the
less actually exert silent influence
to draw the Filipino youngster back
to the dreams of Spanish power? What
the American government justly de-
siras is that the influence of the priests
which it recognizes to be great, shall
be exerted all the time toward the
maintenance of peace and order on
American lines and according to
American ideals: and for this reason
it has asked the Church to detail for
parish service in the Philippines Cath
olic priests whose presence there will
not cause constant disorder but whose
ministrations will greatly promote THE
happiness and contentment of the
Catholic Filipinos.
The whole question is one of fact.
Would the presence of the Spanish
friars in the parishes from which they
were driven tend to renew the disor-
der which accompanied their expul-
sion by the soldiers of Aguinaldo? If
so the question is ended. because not
since the impetuous apostle struck off
the ear of Malchus has the sword been
invoked to spread the doctrines Of the
gentle Christ, and the last Of the
Roman Pontiffs. equal to any in that
illustrious line of spiritual kings, will
not fall into the error committed by
the first of the Roman popes. If the
Spanish friars will not be received
with love by the Filipino people they
will not seek to return to them by the
aid Of armed force. If it be fact
that their former parishionars desire
their return the controversy will at
once end and the American govern
ment will behold with delight tins con-
cord between the people and their
priests The government is willing to
re-examine the whole question. 1t is
willing that the testimony respecting
the alleged disturbing influence Of the
Spanish friars shall not be taken be-
fore an ex parte tribunal; but a dele
gate representing the Holy Father will
act in concert with the governor Of
the Philippines, and the very right Of
this matter will he reached by their
joint deliberations. American Cath
olics should not be hasty to Judge
while these important matters are un-
der fair investigation. Precipitancy in
| this matter may do no good to the
| Church nor to the State. Certain 1t
is that Catholic interests are in safe
and conservative hands. With the
possible exception Of the Supreme
| Court of the United States the world
does not contain body Of men su-
perior in wisdom to the College Of Car
dina1s NJ tho Roman Catholic Church.
and I doubt If there be any men in
| America who could more securely
safeguard Catholic interests than that
body Of illustrious diplomats. The