The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-04-08
a CAUTION TO AMERICAN CATH
OLlCS.

Some advice for American Catholics
is offered by an anonymous contributor
to the Catholic World, writing of the
religious crisis in France. for which. it
IS freely asserted, our coreligionists in
that country are in great measure to
blame. The writer would have us take
warning from the. deplorable folly and
ruinous discord OF which they stand
convicted before the world We are far
from agreeing with all the opinions ex-
pressed in the article under consider
alton; and We feel sure that many
French Catholics. quite as we'll in
formed as the writer of ii. would have
other explanations to offer of the pres
ent disaster, and would trace to alto
gether different, sources the causes
which have contributed to bring it
about. If those in a position to know
the inner history of political move
ments in France during the last few
decades were free to take the public
into their confidence, doubtless We
should all understand better than we
do the attitude of French Catholics to-
ward the republic-why 50 many of
them regard it as an immoral usurpa-
ton, and SO many others are among
its most ardent supporters.
If there is any lesson for American
Catholics TO learn from the "deplorable
futility not only committed but per-
sisted in by their brethren in France,
1t should not be neglected. The obliga-
ton to point it out and to profit by it
is alike imperative. According to the
writer in the Catholic World, the les
son is this:
That we must beware of separating
ourselves into a class apart; that we
must suppress every tendency which
would result in binding us together
into grievance committee; that we
must assimilate the best spirit of
America, and be assimilated by it; and
that we retain the utmost personal in
dependence which is consistent with
our traditional and noble instinct of
obedience. French Catholics have been
brought to their present plight by dis
trusting democracy and by remaining
in their country somewhat as a foreign
substance remains in the eye. They
have been in the republic as foreigners
who refuse TO become citizens. We
shall avoid their misfortunes if we love
democracy heart and soul cheriShing
and practising the independence on
which it rests; and if, secondly, we de-
feat any purpose. which has already
appeared or may appear. which would
put us. as a body, outside the common
interests of our country, and give
ground for the reproaCh that we are of
an alien spirit, of temper more CEN
serious than conciliating, and of
character in which whole-sou help
fulness is less conspicuous than intern
perate criticism or unwarranted pug
nacity.
There is little danger we think that
American Catholics will ever form a |
class apart. And why should we not |
stand together whenever there are
grievances to be redressed or rights to /
be defended? Are not the Catholics of |
this country. as a whole, imbued with |
the best spirit of America? Was there |
ever an occasion when they did not |
prove themselves the best of citizens? |
Do we not love democracy heart and |
soul, and thoroughly appreciate all its |
advantages? The danger is of our be- |
coming too conciliatory, of forgetting |
our rights in glorying over privileges
which are common to all No class of |
citizens show more respect for author
ty than Catholics. none are more law
abiding. none more patriotic. Our coun-
ry has everything to hope and nothing
whatever to fear from its Catholic pop |
llation, no matter from what country
'ecruited The advice we have quoted !
s good, of course; it would be better.
hough if il We're really needed. What |
We resent about il is the patronizing
lote: Sit down and be good, and don't
ct any one know you. are there-Ave
Maria.