Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-03

Jay Shlnls University ms Just ~"
ceiyed letter from her sister in
France, who Is Il nun Ia little town
OF Normandy The lady describes the
exciting times they are experiencing
there. She says, in part;
"The officers Of the law find them
! selves confronted with opposition ald
protcstations the clergy feeling Il their
duty % protect the property for the
treasure OF the church belongs 70 the
faithful Who have donated Il and the
clergy only hold Il Nv trust for them
and naturally the people viii not see
themselves robbed without at least
making some effort at resistance
though every one knows II Is useless
IN spite of all, the government VIII
have its way, but those charged with
the commission have warm recep-
ton, / can assure you, and DO not al
waya come out Of The fray with flying
colors DO not know what raid
would be like IN Paris and the large
towns, but here IL was an event never
TO be forgotten by those who wit
messed Il.
when the commissioners arrived
at the church they found an
immense crowd Of people who
had been called together by the
ringing OF the fire bell which Is
never ruug except IN times OF
grave danger and when they tried 10
force an entrance, they were met at
the doors by solid phalanx Of people
who refused TO bulge an inch 20 let
them pass. while inside the crowd
were rcciting the rosary and singing
hymns as loud az they could At every
door they met the same reception, so
iinally they decided that discretion
was the better part u yalor aud re-
turned 90 the depot glad enough, IN
spite Of their defeat to get out alive,
| expect However, the cure was
obliged to accompany them, but what
can he say, poor old man, but tell
them TO get In, II they can.
1T was magnificent sight and
shows that there must be good
amount OF faith In the French yet, but
there Is no resisting the government.
The work win be done. Upon leav-
ing, the officials said they would re-
turn with force and at other places
already the military has been called
out. but there has been no bloodshed,
the chief object of the crowd being
IN keep the officers out as long as
possible, or II they do get In, to make
II as difficult as they can for them"
The INDIGNATION expressed is not
caused merely by the taking Of an
inventory Of church property but by
the alleged sacrilegious acts OF some
officials in violating the sacrsdness OF
that part OF the church which is known
as The tabernacle This Is a place
above the altar where the so-called
Host. or the consecrated wafer, is
kept A prominent Catholic clerical
gentleman is reported to have said;
1T IS o. persecution Of the meanest
and lowest type, worse than any In
ilicted by the pagans OF Rome II Is
the extremity Of tyranny and sacri-
lcge to break open these tabernacles.
where, Catholics believe. the body of
God s contained II IS equivalent 10
the action Of the Jews In crucifyinS
Christ. | am fully persuaded
that any degree Of resistance neces-
sany to save the tabcrnacles from vio-
lenco ia justihabe. even II the defend
ors are Obliged to have recourse to
extreme violence, or a civil war. Be-
lievng that Christ is truly present in
His holy sacrament we Catholics are
the guardians Of the body of our Lord.
Il would be betraying a most sacred
trust not 10 be willing to defend that
holy Presence, even at the risk of llte.'
Viewing the matter in this light
be thought he was Justified In the be-
lief that leading Catholics OF
the United States and other
great countries feel that the time has
come when the Catholics OF France
must resist the French government,
unless they wish to bear the stigma OF
poltroons and towards
The controversy with the church in
France shows the folly Of interfering
with The religious affairs of any people.
The French government Is even now
facing a crisis, without the full sup
port Of the people, It must feel weak
la the presence Of the German de-
mands. And Il does not seem to have
the undivided support OF the Catholic
majority Of citizens. If history con-
veys any lesson on the subject it is
this that It IS never safe for any gov
eminent to lend itself TO the execution
Of any plans that comprise religious
persecution. Victims OF persecution
may be wrong, or they may be right
but, prosecutors are always wrong,
no matter what the status of the perse-
cuted may be.