The Irish standard., 1903-01-17


sure to find peaceful asylum in the
quiet harbors of the Chesapeake; and
there, too Professionals We're sheltered
from Protestant moderation. Such
were the beautiful auspices under
which Maryland was starteu lnto be-
ing. Its history is the history Of
benevolence, gratitude and toleration.'
You will all, am sure, agree with
me that no country in Europe has con-
tributed more efficiently to the estab-
lishment and growth of the Catholic
religion among us than faithful Ire
land, whatever may have been the I'M
happy causes which have led to the
eXpatriation Of so many of Ileland's
sons and daughters from their native
soil. Almighty God has made their en-
lie subservient to higher and holier
purposes, and can safely affirm that
there is scarcely a city or town
throughout the United States where
the Catholic religion has not been
preached and sustained by priests and
laymen Of Irish faith or extraction.
And the Irish missionary spirit is
still perhaps more marked in Australia
and through the vast extent of the
British possessions. Ireland has been
the apostle of nations.
Daniel Webster, in speech in the
United States Senate, thus describes
the British Empire: "She has dotted
over the whole surface Of the globe
with her possessions and military
posts, whose morning drumbcat follow
ing the sun and keeping company with
the hours encirclcs the earth with one
unbroken strain of the martial airs OF
England"
May we not say with truth that the
Irish missionary has preached the Cos
pei wherever England has established
her laws; he has enlarged the King
dom of Christ wherever England has
extended her territorial dominion; the
Irish apostle has erected a house Of
prayer wherever the British function
airy has built fort or custom-house;
the Irish priest has planted the cross,
the symbol Of salvation, wherever the
British have planted the banner OF st.
George.
The Church in America is also i'll
debted for her progress and develop
ment to Catholic immigrants from
Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other
parts Of Northern Europe. These
colonists have exhibited the national
traits of their warlike ancestors, who
in the fifth and sixth centuries came
down from the North and invaded
Southern Europe.
They dismembered the decaying
Roman Empire, and established new
civilization on the ruins of the old
They have settled chiefly on our West
ern prairie lands. They have become
speedily assmilated with the native
population, animated by the patriotism
of American citizens. and cherishing
an ardent love for the faith of their
fathers.
These valuable acquisitions to our
population are conspicuous for their
thrift and industry, and for their stur-
dy devotion to the cause of Christian
education. Their piOus aim has been
to establish Christian schools side by
side with the Church in which they
worship.
There is another country across the
Atlantic which deserves an honorable
mention-a country whose SONS are the
pioneers of religion OH American soil.
For three centuries after the discovery
of our continent the heroic missionaries
from Catholic France were lnboring
in evangelizing and civiliZing the
aboriginal tribes of North America.
They explored our lakes. our rivers
and our mountains, carrying the torch
Of faith in one hand ana the torch of
science in the other.
They forwarded to the mother couli-
try the charts of this continent, which
even at this day are regarded MS mar
wells of Typographical accuracy.
AS a result of their labors, there arc
few Indian tribes today in the United
States or Canada which do not know
and vcmerate the black robes.
r ,,N,
much when they had no boats but
frnil canoes. no roads but cterna
SHOWS and virgin forests and deser
wastes, no compass but the naked eye
no guide save faith and hope and God
how much more should not and can
not the Lords ministers effect toda!
by means of railroads and steamships
and other appliances Of modern civil
ZatiOn?
Yes, we bless you, o men Of genius
we bless your inventions and dlscov
cries. We hail you as agents of God
and we will impress you into TIL
service of the Most High. We will
exclaim with the Royal Prophet: "Su
and moon bless the Lord. Fire an
heat bless the Lord. Lightnings an
clouds bless the Lord. All We work
of the Lord, bless the lord. Prais
and exalt Him above all forever"
And thus we see that every natio
in Europe contributed n block of MAJ
BILE to the Washington Monument q