The Irish standard., 1907-06-08

thirteen of whom were Of the Catho-
lie faith. Elsewhere. from the Missis-
sippi to the Missouri, even to the
Rocky Mountains. the soldiers Of Fort
Smelling. some scattered traders and
explorers. were. with Sioux and Chip
pewas, the sole disputants Of the I'M
broken Wilderness Lucian Galtier
who ministered in the little chapel on
the memorable November day. should
have journeyed northward to ST. Bon
iface or southwark to Dubuque to
meet fellow priest
Sixty years have rolled by-a brief
term of time. as time is marked upon
the ages of history Meanwhile, what
wonders were wrought! How amazing
the changes! st. Paul counts it's peo-
pie by the two hundred thousand; its
sister city. Minneapolis, speaks for
three hundred thousand more: while
within the commonwealth of Minne-
sofa. which both adorn as it's chief
And throughout there is wealth and
comfort, culture and magnificence, be-
tokening the presence of the worlds
highest civilization. There is unlimit-
ed commerce. pouring into every ma
ton Of the earth the minerals and the
harvests OF the wilderness Of a half
century ago. and bearing back to it's
bosom the rich offerings OF remote
oceans and continents There is most
opulent achievement of human mind
and human hand in vast lines Of rail-
road. in richest industrial proves. in
stateliest edifices. in best equipped
schools and universities.
"A wondrous age it is. and a Won
drous land is ours. that such marvels,
which half century ago We're dreams
of forbidden flight. are today plainest
realities! And while all else grew SO
nstoundlngly. what of the religious
faith wrapt up in the lowly chapel
of the year 1s41? The solitary Galtier
lives in seven bishops. in eight hum
dred priests. The few Catholics who
formed his flock-from the Mississippi
tn the Msso,ri-and over the half mill
lion. The lowly chapel has multiplied
itself into the thousand churches,
around which cluster in the hundreds
the prosperous homes of charity and
Of learning.
America. religion needs thee: it
needs the sweet liberty which thy flag
betokens. the protection that it never
to the divine spirit within US,
which is conscience. and to the outer
exercise of the rights born of that
spirit. Founded upon American soil,
the Cathedral. confidently and hope
fully, uplifts walls and dome-Secure
that no prosecuting edict will wrest
it from its sacred purposes: that no
hand will loosen one sim
Where today is the land in which the
rights of religion are more safely
guarded. in which more precious lib
critics of word and Of work are within
it's possession? Children of the Catho-
lie church, thank America. and call
blessed that you are the
citizens thereof All that the church
needs, all that she demands she pos
sesses in America-the right to live a
life unstunted and unimpaired: the
right to work out unshackled and I'M
impeded the mission with which Christ
is from within; it requires no prop
ping from secular arm: its strength
is it's own; allow it the freedom Of the
breezes of the skies and all is we'll
with it. This freedom is Americas
gift to religion: this freedom is Amer
icas own honor and glory.
America, in it's turn. needs religion;
it needs good and virtuous men and
women, loyal and trustworthy citizens.
Renee we leel lldt III DhllOlHR lIllS
Cathedral we are serving America: we
are guarding and fostering good
morals. the spiritual power. which far
more than armies and navies. far more
than courts of Justice and legislative
halls holds it's people in submission
of law: we are fostering the life Of
the soul. which far more than mines
and harvests build up great and last
ing nation; We are lighting the fires
of holy patriotism. which is never so
holy. never so potent. as when it draws
from the very throne Of
the most high.
America. in the Cathedral Of ST.
Paul thy name shall be honored and
loved; there prayer shall go upward
for thy life and thy glory. Cathedral
of st. Paul. rise confidently and hope
fully to the skies; America guards and
protects thee.
Il shall not depart from the corner