Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-12-26

CHURCH 4
AFFAIRS
Catholic Prelate Presents vis
Views on Matters In
Dispute

, (Archbishop George Montgomery In
the San Francisco CALI
l do not believe that the press OF
the public of the United States un-
derstands the merits of this case.
and the chief reason for this misun-
derstanding falls under two heads.
The first is that nearly all the infor-
nation derived in this country con-
corning the affair there is taken from
the secular press of France, which is
openly hostile to the Catholic church.
Catholic people who have followed
the question know that the press of
France takes every opportunity to
misrepresent and falsify the words
and actions of Plus x, as we'll as his
motives. To give instances of this
would require too much detail. but
the general statement is very clear
The French press has tried to make
1t appear that the sovereign pontiff
has forced his own views on the epis-
copacy of France. whereas we know
that with very few exceptions the
pope has been guided in this matter
by the unanimous advice of the blsh-
ops of France themselves; and al
ways in consultation with them.
Another reason why the press of
this country, and consequently the |
public, whose opinion 1t largely |
forms, particularly upon foreign
questions, understands the situa-
tion. IS that France calls herself a
republic. AS a matter of fact she is
a despotism, so far as the
church is concerned. Judg-
Ing from the actions OF the French
government In the last few years, in ,
at least to the Catholic
church, republicanism In France and
In the United States A.,
have no meaning in common. 1t is a
government whose politics and poll +,
lies are controlled from Paris or
through its ministers almost abso- :
utely.
Again, this great question, as IL APP
,ears to the world at large, Is what
5 termed "the separation of church
md state" Those in this country,
eeing the working of this principle :
o the satisfaction of all concerned,
annot understand why the same 1
hing would not work well in France {
there is no doubt In the world that,
( the same thing could be given to- d
morrow TO the church in France.
uch as we have here. 1t would be c
ccepted, not only without a MUIR 8
nur, but with the greatest JOY and g
leasure. The two things. however +
mean very different things in the "
lind OF our government and in the \
linds of those ruling France. Our Il
oyernment always has respected. h
nd does today respect. religion. t'
he ruling powers In France hate II. f
O matter what they say on occa- cl
Ions like this. We know that their ii
vowed purpose is the extirpation of Sc
he Christian religion. A leading &C
rotestant paper in London, England,
eclares that "Pius y is fighting the ty
attle of Christianity of the twentieth in
entury." 81
Just at the present time we in u,
alifornia are being taught that we to
lust respect the treaties that coun- re
les enter into. A truth. | think, OF
hieh we all readily admit. m
The concordat between France and
10 holy see was treaty. and when W
suited its purposes the one con- m
acting party rescinded the treaty gl
nd everything that II meant without an
the other party to 1t, ca
This thing is simply the principle gr
might making right"
Possibly the people OF California -
ay understand one feature of this -,
-