The Irish standard., 1903-01-17


sure to find peaceful asylum in the
quiet harbors of the Chesapeake; and
there, too Protestants We're sheltered
from Protestant moderation. Such
We're the beautiful auspices under
which Maryland was starteu .nto be-
ing. Its history is the history of
benevolence, gratitude and liberation
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 Ireland's
sons and daughters from their native
soil. Almighty God has made their en-
lie subservient to higher and holier
purposes, and l can safely affirm that
there is scarcely 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 drumbeat follow
ing the sun and keeping company with
the hours encirces the earth with one
unbrOlen strain of the martini 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 Il house Of
prayer wherever the British function
airy has built a 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 III
debted for her progress and develop
ment to Catholic immigrants from
Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other
parts Of Northern Europe. These
traits of their warlike ancestors, who
in the fifth and sixth centuries came
down from the North and invaded
Southern Europe.
They dsmembered the dccaying
Roman Empire, and established n new
civilization on the ruins of the old.
They have settled chiefly on our West
ern prairie lands. They have become
speedily assimilated with the native
population, animated by the patriotism
of American citizens. and cherishing
am 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 laboring
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 and the torch of
science in the other.
They forwarded to the mother coull-
try the charts of this continent, which
even at this day are regarded as mar
wells of Typographical accuracy.
AS a result of their labors, there are
few Indian tribes today in the United
States or Canada which do not know
and vcnerate the black robes.
If those heroic men accomplished sc
much when they had no boats but
frail canoes. no roads but eternal
SHOWS and virgin forests and desert
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 today
by means OF railroads and steamships
and other appliances of modern civil
cation?
Yes, we bless you, O men of genius
we bless your inventions and discov
cries. We hail you rs agents Of God
and we will impress you into thu
service of the Most High. We will
exclaim with the Royal Prophet: "Su1
and moon bless the Lord. Fire ant
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 nation
in Europe contributed block Of mar
BILE to the Washington Monument a