The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-06-25
Has the Catholic Federation,
Says Bourke Cochran,
In Combating Anti-Christian
Education and Divorce.

1OtullllS Il NEW 1OiN .'tt'1S oA'AiNA "
the Federation, was held last Sunday
night in Carnegie Hall. 1t was one OF
the largest meetings ever held i'll that
place, every seat in the house htlnG
occupied, and enthusiasm marking the
speeches, especially that of the Hon
w. Bourke Cochran, who, With otanrs,
referred frequently to the Federation
us the Apostoate of the Catholic laltN.
Almost every Catholic Of note in New
York and many from out Of town at
tended. and the meeting was presided
over by Archbishop Farley, who got a
tremdous reception when he came
upon the platform garbed in his purple
robes of office.
The objects of the federation, ac-
cordirg to it's president, L. Il. Nina
han, are to agitate the question OF sec
tartan schools and receive proper
recognition for Catholics along many
lines, Under the head of religious OBJ
jccts the federation groups the ques'
tons of education through Catholic
schools and universities, literature and
emigration, homes for Catholic sailors,
etc. Among social questions. the labor
problem and the question of divorce
are made the most prominent, While
under civil questions the religious
rights of Catholics. taxation of Church
property, and protection of Catholic
civic rights are made prominent.
All of the speakers dwelt upon the
fact that opposition to the Federation
has been made OH the ground that it
might be projected into politics. This
was denied.
Most Rev. Archbishop Farley pre-
sided and made an address. The Arch
bishop opened his remarks by explain
inc that the Federation had his earnest
support. because its object WAS 10
band together all the Catholic societies
in America. so that they might worl,
in unison for the general good of the
Chulch. He then continued in part:
THE Catholic Church is the fruitful
mother of suggestion. Whatever there
is good in civilization to-day has had
its inception in the Catholic Church.
These societies in the Church are
many: in fact without number, and
they accomplish great good, a nation
al union of Catholic societies was
thought necessary, and hence the fed
Grafton.
Opposition, l know, has been Of
fcred to this Federation on the ground
that it might he projected into politics.
The moment that occurs the Fedora
ton sounds it's own death knell. That
moment my appreciation will be I'M
mediately withdrawn"
Congressman w. BOurke Cochran,
who spoke on the purposes and aims
of the Federation, aroused great en-
thusiasm.
"The successful combnatio said
the Congressman, keep the organiza-
ton of each concern absorbed intact.
and leave each one free to prove its
own effectiveness and it's relation to
the whole scheme. 1t is combinations
such as these that have triumphcd.
In like manner. in forming the Fedora
ton. it is the intention to keep up the
efficiency of each organization, so as
to enable it to work for the best re-
quircmcnts of the Christian world, and
for the greatest advantage Of the
world, the Church and morality.
''The objects of the Federation can
I've gathered under three great heads.
Briefly these are first. questions which
only Catholics realize; second, QueS-
lions which only Catholics can remedy,
and, finally, questions which neither
Catholic nor Protestant has solved.
'The first question comes in the
form of hostility to Christian instruc
ton, and vet the State says it is ncccs-
sary for its own safety to instruct it's
youth in questions of morality.
ton. There is no such thing. The
school must be either Christian or anti
Christian. and if it is non-scctnrian
it is Christian.
"AIuch of the opposition to Christian
teaching has had it's birth in the damn
able libels that have been uttered
against such teaching and especially
against the Jesuits. 1t has been said
of these that their teachings say that
the end .iustifes the means. No black
er lie was ever uttered by mortal lips
than that.
"The evils of irreligous education
have not been appreciable to any great
extent as yet Time alone can show
what it will do. It's first manifesto
ton was made clear not long ago in
France.
"The sanctity Of the marriage tie is
another of the questions with which
we have to deal Not long ago in the
Congress of the United States the ques-
ton of polygamy practiced by one of
it's members was agitated. and yet
say to you that between polygamy and
divorce the difference is all in favor
of the former. Polygamy comprehends
a group of wives at one time, while
divorce simply means driving them