The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-08-16

made by the Military Government
with regard to church property, are
not, nor can they be, considered final
by this government, inasmuoh as they
are not supported by any decision Of
competent court nor sanctioned by
the co-legislative bodies of Cuba.
1T is declared that the acts of the
executive in payment of interest, ETC.,
in no way constitutes an acknowledge
ment or ratification of such DEGREES
and rulings. and this body reserves to
itself the right to inquire into and de-
eide upon this question on its legal
merits and with due regard to equity
and JUSTICE
High phrases! But the thought is
suggested whether they will emulate
the example of the MeXlcans under
.Junrez. and hold it Equitable and
just to rob the church of her lawful
possessions. Bad as is the spirit
!aea thing in this resolution, a thous-
and times worse was the measure
adopted in the Congress of Filipinos
aimed at the person and property of
the friars. Their only safeguard is
the strong and just arm of the Amer
lean republic. While no one enter
tains doubt that ample and lust
compensation will be paid by the
American government for every item
of property now owned by the friars
and needed for the public good of the
Catholic Filipinos. grave question has
arisen as to the return Of the Spanish
friars to the parishes from which they
We're driven by the relentless cruelty
of Aguinaldo and his followers. They
sought asylum in the zone protected
by American arms and as that zone
is now happily co-eXtensiva with the
entire islands it is said that the Span
ish friars should be returned to the
parishes from which they were driv-
en-. The opponents of the government
declare that it intends to embark on
a programme of expulsion, thus vio-
lating the most sacred principles Of
personal liberty. But why measure
TIE motive Of the government by the
accusations of it's opponents. when the
government itself plainly discloses it's
purpose and it's programme? Secre-
tary Root declares that the desire Of
the government is for the voluntary
withdrawn of the friars, arranged,
not by the government, but the re-
ligiOus superiors of the friars them
selves. Is there anything like expul-
Sion cu interference with personal lib
erty in THAT programme? Regarding
the personal liberty of the friars I
would not be here a moment in sup
port Of any programme that was puni-
tive of those religious men. While 1
accede to the present condition Of the
separation Of church and state prevail
ing in the American republic, and will
not import my Church into my state;
l insist, with equal vehemence. that
the state shall keep out Of my Church.
No civil power has jurisdiction to pass
punitive or corrective laws aiming at
the internal organization of the Rom
an Catholic Church. That battle was
fought and won by the illustrious Hill
debrand. 1t is because I know that
the American government is actuated
by no such intention that can as a
Catholic support the government on
this grave question. 1t asks the coop
GRAFTON Of the Catholic Church in it's
work of establishing order and main
tanning peace in the Philippine Is
lands. which far from being pro-
gramme of punishment is one replete
with tire highest conceptions Of con-
structive craftsmanship. You can look
in vain Through the centuries to find
an instance where the Catholic Church
has refused her offices to we'll Or
fared state in promoting the peace
and happiness Of the people: and It
would be a rare spectacle If American
Catholics should urge the Church to
decline cooperation in so Mudable a
work at the request Of government