Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1907-07-06
Country Needs the Restraining,
Conservative Influence
They Exercise.
Never Was There Greater Need
For the Church in This
Country.
A DAY OYER WHICH ALL REJOICE

The following is an excerpt from a
remarkable tribute to Archbishop
Ireland and the church which appears
in the last issue of the Bellman, a
non-Catholic paper published at Min
neapolis. 1t was written with refer
ence to the laying of the corner
stone of the new st. Paul Cathedral.
After referring to the many distin-
guished churchmen present, the Bell
man says:
Towering over ali by reason of his
distinguished personality, his rank in
the church, his signal ability and his
strong position in the regard and af-
lection of the people of the North
west, irrespective of religious belief,
was Archbishop ireland. exalted with
fine zeal for God ard humanity,
proud in the realization of a long
cherished dream, yet humble in the
sincere Acknowledgement that only
through the beneficient goodness of
the Most High, to whom alone he as
cribed all success, could his great
church have accomplished its magnifi-
cent work. 1t was not only the
greatest day in the history of the
Catholics of the Northwest, it was
more-a day to rejoice all those who
believe in and hope for the ultimate
victory on earth of the principles of
the gospel Well might the loyal and
devoted Catholic feel proud of the
great demonstration, yet there was
occasion also for the liberal spirited
Protestant to join in the qualification
of the event; it marked not alone
Catholic but a Christian triumph in
its broadcast and best selse.
The Bellman is a Protestant tech
nically, perhaps a "heFetic,' although
the word seems harsh when con-
sidered in connection with the spirit
of religious liberation and freedom
which finds expression in the North
west under the leadership of such
men as Archbishop Ireland, Bishop
Cotter, Bishop McGolricl, Bishop
Schwebach and other clergy of Cath
ole faith. Nevertheless when the
splendid achievements Of the Catholic
church, both spiritual and material,
are considered, the Bellman bows in
reverent and respectful admiration to
the great religious organization
which celebrated with such fitting
honor and such devout fervor the lay
ing of the corner stone of its st.
Paul Cathedral. There are those who
affect to see in the might and power
of this grand organization, which
bears the banner of the cross,
menace to American institutions;
temporal allegiance to an alien
power which may demand from
American citizenship such sacrifices
as are incompatible with true fldel-
ity to the State. This sentiment,
once more prevalent than it now
happily is, occasionally finds express
sion from Protestant pulpits. 1t Is
unworthy and un-Christian. What
ever NAV be the attitude of the Cath
Ole church toward the State in other
countries and whatever may be the
individual expression of this attitude
in portions of our own land, this we
of the Northwest know, for by their
works we Judge them, these brothers
of the Catholic faith, that no truer
or better Americans, no more praise
worthy citizens, nor followers OF
more exalted standard of living exist
among us than the faithful adherents
of this church.
We can not recognize any distinc-
ton between Catholic and Protestant
in the discharge of the citizens duty
TO his country. If there be any, 1T IS
certainly not to the disadvantage OF
the former. In the upbuilding of the
Northwest the Catholic has done at
least an equal share. In all that con-
tributes TO the better and nobler am
billions of humanity; to charity, 10
the care of the orphan. to the comfort
of the distressed and the peace OF
the soul, where shall we justly place
the Catholic church but in the very
front rank of human agencies direct
ed toward the development of divine
beneileence? The narrowness OF
soul. the smallness of mind that
would detract by distrust and doubt
from the splendid achievements ac-
complished through the Catholic faith
by its priests and laymen, must be
pitiful indeed not to be able to rec
ognize that an underlying spirit of
humility and true righteousness is
the very handspring of all these good
works which this church has done,
is doing and will continue to do.
The eminent and honored prelate
also said: "America in its turn needs
religion; It needs good and virtuous
men and women, loyal and trust
worthy citizens" He might also have
added that America needs the Cath
Ollie church. Never in the history OF
this land was there greater need than
now for the great restraining, con-
,ro+ ;,,a IN fluence which that church
is able to exercise upon the Maynard
shirt of the nation. 1t is doing what
no other religious body of less In
flexible standards and inferior power
of organization can attempt to do
successfully; service to mankind
the value of which is beyond al
mower of estimation. 1t stands inn
movably in world of mutaoie