Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31
Resolutions Adopted.

Amid cheers and clapping of hands the
following resolutions were adopted by
unanimous vote:
Whereas we view with exceeding regret
and indignation the action by which the
Catholic Church in France is to be deprived
Of about $4,000 of its churches, episcopal
and parochial residences, clerical semi
naries and other church property; and
Whereas this feeling has been accentuat-
ed by the fact that Catholic France in the
beginning Of our history and at all times
since has been the stanch friend of the
American republic; and
Whereas we learn from the most anthem
tic sources that for many years the Catho-
lie Church has been prosecuted by the
French government, and is being slowly
but surely deprived of it's property and the
rights which belong to free people; and
Whereas the public utterances of several
of the leading statesmen Of France indicate
a desire to strike at the very root of Chris
tianity and are thus a serious menace to
Christian civilization; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, citizens of Washing
ton, the capital of the great American re-
public, of various religious denominations,
assembled in mass meeting on this the 3Oth
day Of December, in the year Of our Lord,
1906 vehemently condemn the action of the
French government in the unjust confisca-
ton of the entire property Of the Catholic
Church in France, and, as liberty-loving
people, we denounce such conduct as hos
tile to the freedom OF Christian worship;
be 1t further
Resolved, That we call upon all lovers of
religious liberty throughout the civilized
world. and especially in our own beloved
country, wherein every mans religion is
protected and no mans religion is pre-
ferred, to publicly record their protest and
to deter by every lawful means within their
power the present conduct of the French
government in sitting religious worship in
France, in unjustly selling private prop
erty, in depriving thousands Of innocent
people of homes and the means of liveli-
hood, and in forcing into military service
over 5000 students of religion; be it further
Resolved, That while we vigorously con-
denim the present act of spoliation, we hope
and pray our Heavenly Father will stay
the hand Of His enemies in the French re-
public to the end that the Catholic Church,
and all other churches in that country. may
be granted the same rights and privileges
which they now enjoy under the protection
Of the government of the United States.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions
be forwarded to the French ambassador, to
the United States government, and that
they be also furnished to the press of the
United States for publication.
DR.. Stafford's Theme.
Possibly the most radical utterance
against the action of France toward the
Catholic Church was made by Father D.
]. Stafford, pastor Of st. Patrick's Church.
1.-The action Of the French government"
he declared, has shocked the moral sense
of every righteous man in the civilized
world, and nowhere on earth Is the shock
more keenly felt than in the United States.
Not only are the Catholics of this country
and city shocked, but non-Catholics as
well. The situation, in principle and fact,
Is the same as at the time Of the French
revolution. 1t is again question Of fore
ing civil constitution upon the clergy or
having constitutional bishops; of making
the state omnipotent: of taking not only
civil administration, but also dogma and
spiritual superiors from the government;
of utterly changing and destroying the
Catholic Church constitution.
IF this is not done" Father Stafford
continued, 'or accepted by the pope and
the Catholics, we will take your property
away, abolish your worship says Clemen-
ceau the chief highwayman, and BRAND,
the brigand, and we call this separation
DR.. Stafford stated that the French gov
eminent forced the issue and that the
pope made every possible and reasonable
| concession, until it came to the associa-
| tons of worship, which placed the church
| entirely under the jurisdiction Of the lay
men.
| DR.. Stafford declared that the entire gov
| eminent had gone mad and is attempting
| to rob and plumber the Catholics and
| kick them out Of their own country.
And they call this separation he cried.
| There is not a Catholic in the world who
| would not have welcomed separation in
| France as 1t now exists in the United
| States
| He depicted the issue as one against
Jesus Christ and against the idea Of God
| and in ringing tones declared that If they
| can make short work Of the Catholics to-
| day they will dispose of Professionalism and