The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-12-05
A TITLE AND ITS DEFENSE.
The Knights Of Columbus Upheld In
Use of Name.

Inc knlghts OF Columbus Upheld In
Use Of Name.
In the November number of the
Dolphin correspondent puts query
as to the word Knight" by Catholic
organizations. Apropos to the Knights
of Columbus the correspondent said:
why should they call themselves
Knights? 1t smaeks, to say the least
OF the Masonic fraternity, and gives
the impression as if we were anxious
to initiate the methods of so-c,tled
knights Templar, knights of Pythias
and similar institutions with which the
Church, and therefore Catholics. can
have no sympathy, because their oath
bound profession a1ienates them from
legitimate control in religious and
civil as well as social life. This apine
OF titles, together with certain forms
OF initiation peculiar only to the Mason
&c lodges, makes some of us who do
not belong to the Knights yet who
are convinced of their being CAPABLE
of'rendering much service to the Cath
olic cause, at times distrust the wis
dom of those who, especially among
the hierarchy and clergy, encourage
the movement, which has undoubtedly
reached very large class of the best
element among our Catholic man
hood"
The Dolphin replied as follows:
No one who has at heart the growth
OF Catholic influence may be indiffer-
eilt to the development of an organiza-
ton which carries within it great
powers for good. We understand that
the membership of the Knights of Col
umbus is nigh on to one hundred thou
sand Gncluding associates and insur-
ance mcmbers). The conditions of the
association exclude non-Catholics,
merely nominal Catholics, and, if we
are rightly informed, all classes of
men who are engaged in any kind of
traffic which might be regarded as a
direct occasion to the development of
vice in the community. Such an or
ganization, so long as it is true to its
constitution and laws, must of neces-
sity operate for good The fact that
Knights OF Columbus have been en-
trusted with functions representing
the Catholic laity, as cooperating with
the hierarchy and clergy in works of
higher education and charity, shows
that this influence is being estimated
by leading churchmen. Tile Knights,
on their part, have apparently under
stood the Importance and dignity of
their position in this field, and their
leaders have thus far it appears,
shown not only unfailing respect FOR
the authority of their Church, but an
admirable readiness to harmonic
their action with that of the hierarchy,
wherever there has been any indca-
ton Of a desire for lay cooperation.
All this has placed the association
OF the Knights of Columbus in favor
able light even with those who, in the
beginning, had their misgivings as to
the outcome OF its formation. Under
the circumstances it would be not only
a short-sigfted but also destructive
policy to ignore or neglect factor in,
the development of American Catho-
lie social life which is plainly shaping
itself into action Here we have an
the Catholic lay element with purpose
and power similar to those OF the
Centrum in Germany, or the "Cercle
Catlolique" in Belgium. To take no
interest in it, or merely to complain
OF the accidental and local errors Of
members or branches, is to mistake
the value of an opportunity which, in
times OF anti Catholic agitation, we
would surely make every effort to fos-
ter and utilize in the defence of Cath
Ole interests.
AS for the name and the odd forms
OF initiation there is enough truth in
what OUR correspondent says to make
lis set proper value upon the tradi-
tional feeling against the assumption
Of novel methods in Christian war
fare. Nevertheless, there is here ques-
ton of fact, not of theory. The
fact is that the modern tendency to
revive the spirit OF chivalry, mutual
defence, and industrial cooperation,
as an antidote to the spirit of self
worship, social divisions and indus
trial greed, has called forth a revival
Of some of the methods which sus-
tanned the medieval institutions.
Hence the multiplied associations Of
Ancient Orders, Royal Knights, Fra
tcrnal Legions, Danes OF Malta, La
dies of the Temple, Mystic Circles,
etc. These orders answer in various
ways to the prevailing aspirations of
the people in the spheres of society,
charity and business The attraction
which ancient forms, philanthropic EN-
terprise and opportunities of self-im-
provcmcnt offer extends alike to Cath
olics and others. What dangers to the
faith OF Catholics Turk in absorption