The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-01-02
HUMlLIAIIhG CONFESSION.

HUWlIihl lN5 OOHF ESSiUN.
Chicago, Dee. 27.-During stampede of the
10000 men. women and children waiting for adj
mission, which followed the opening of the doors
OF the Coliseum, where the Volunteers of America
today gave their annual Christmas dinner. several
glass doors were demolished and the dozen police
men on duty at the place managed to restore order
with the greatest difficulty. In the rush several
women and children were knocked down and
tfamplcd on. but none were seriously injured The
crowd was the largest that ever assembled ot sucb
an affair in Chicago and when everyone had been
satisfied not norsel of the tons of food remained
we cannot say that we were edited at the gem
crosby OF the donors, or the avidity of the 10000
persons who contributed to and partooz of the
above big Christmas dinner Charity, as a Chris
tan virtue, according to ST. Paul. comes first II
does not consist in mere outward display. When
extended once year and then advertised if as
sumes maudlin sentiment, and we doubt If the
real needy share IN Its benefit. Christian CHARITY
never falleth away" but continues in silence its
works OF mercy at all seasons. Every true Chris
tan should consider it a privilege to be able 70
assist those who are in want for did moi Christ
call those blessed "who fed the hungry and clothed
the naked,' and this not once a wear. but confirm,
ousiy. Ten thousand hungry men. women and
children stampeded and demolished several glass
doors. How many thousa1id modest. retiring men
women and children remained in their cheerless
homes without food or clothing on Christmas dav
We are not informed but that there are such in ev
cry large city we are well aware
Again, it is not to the credit of the nation tba+
III Chicago, with its many multi ionaires. there
could be found in these prosperous times 81 many
hungry men, women and children, who, like vo-
racious beagels or half-starved swine, rushed mad
~ on to the Christmas dinner ''In the rush soy
eral women and children were Knocked down and
tranpled on.% This indeed is a remarkable lint
melancholy confession. 1t shows the misery md
wretchedness of the richest country in tb, ,,orld
len thousand hungry ,nor wtrlen and children in
one city IN Ascesca wbege we have today greater
abundance OF supply for every want than ne md
at any forme" :efiod Of car national existence
This avowal is full of INSTRUCTION. TbouphtfuI
minds should ponder over it. Desperate men
forced to starving point rush madly on and knock
down helpless women and children" If this han
pened in London, Paris Or Berlin. the press Of the
country, instead Of giving the simple dispatch to
It's readers, would, by Its comments show how, de-
PRAYED and desperate the slaves of European gov
ernnents were, to. what abject poverty they were
reduced. There, could Be on more sorroWful sight
nor stronger condemnation of the order of things
than this melancholy fact, that in Chicago were
to be found on Christmas day. ten thousand bun
CRY men, worfen and children many no doubt.
wiling TO work, yet stampeding to get some
vict1als ,isr $50
All tins Is humiliating TO the nation, no matter
from what standpoint we view it. That there should,
be SO many thousands of our people in one cifv
who are kept alive only as fed by private charity
Is mortlfying to the manhood of the nation. It
helps to break down the natural instinct of laud-
able pride which the free citizens of great nation
should possess. We like TO see the charity Of tho
flch increase, but public charity dinners, with sucb
scenes as took place in Chicago arc huniliatinp To
our national pride and American manbood Rattor
results and more lasting benefits can be obtained
by supplying and providing for the Immediate
wants of destitute families in their humble and
cherries homes.
On our rrst page will be found an interesting ac-
count OF the increase in membership and growth
OF the church in the Salt Lake diocese during its
existence.
= ~
lle suggestion Of the writer that all clerqv
rellgious and laity should exert their influence in
building up this paper is apropos. The aim and
OBJECT OF this journal is TO present, explain and
defend Catholic truth, and as all should be ready
Ito account for the faith they profess, no home
should be without copy of the Intermountain
Catholic.
-
In our age and country we not eraa+ obo,,,.o-
constantly taking ,,laoo i, ~, ,;.I IS,