The Washington herald., 1907-02-04
BISHOP IS SANGUINE
Brooklyn Mass Meeting of
Catholics Discuss France.
MGR. FARLEY WRITES LETTER
Epistle from Church DfSnitnry
About AssembIage i'm HippOdrome
pits, Thanking Catholics for
Their Expressions of sympathy.

New York, Feb. 3.-The Bishop of
Brooklyn, the Right Rev Charles Edward
Mcdonnell, in thanking Brooklyn Catho-
lies for the sympathy they extended to
the French bishops and clergy at mass
meeting held tonight in the Grand Opera
House, said he felt convinced of an ami
cable outcome of the war Of the French
government against the Catholic Church.
but that the way of peace may be
| through blood itself"
we have not forgotten the commune"
said Bishop Mcdonnell, with the utmost
solemnity. To-day there stands at the
head of the council Of state in France
a man who had no small part in the COM
mune. The spirit shown by the govern
ment OF France to-day is the same sort
of spirit that led to the murder of de-
/ fenseless priests and Of innocent women
and children when the streets of Paris
ran red with blood
The 5000 or more Brooklyn Catholics,
who crowded into the Grand Opera House,
gave Bishop Mcdonnell a remarkable re-
cepti0n- When he entered and walked
/ across the stage with the vicar general,
the Rev. Patrick Mcnamara, the orches-
ira was playing the national anthem.
with every man on his feet. The in
slant the bishop was recognized. hand
clapping began all over the house. and
broke into a thunder Of applause
French Administration Scored.
Throughout the speechmaking it was
noticeable that while there were bitter
words against the course Of the govern
ment Of France. there was for France
as a nation nothing but the sincerest ex-
| pressioDs of good will and kindness. II
( appeared to be the feeling of these men,
/ expressed not Indirectly. that sooner or
/ later the French people would settle the
/ question at the polls justly and peace
ably. Often the word France" evoked
4 burst of applause from the audience Of
Catholics.
"The purpose Of this meeting" said
Justice Carr, lis not TO interfere in ques-
/ tons that are purely French. II it be
otherwise. it viii be fruitIess, If not harm
I ful. The present situation in France is
{ one that transcends purely local limita-
/ tons, and rises TO the dignity of a ques-
/ tiOn of human rights
Mgr. Farley Writes Letter.
/ BY order OF Archbishop Farley. the fol-
/ lowing letter was read this morning at
/ all masses celebrated in Manhattan and
( the Bronx.
'Archbishop's House, l52 Madison Ave.
January 30 1901.
/ REV. Dear Father. The magnificent
demonstration al the mass meeting held
/ IN the HiDp0drome last Sunday evening
10 make "a public protest against the
/ persecution and the spoliation Of the
church in France, calls for an expression
/ OF my thanks to all who Co-operated 20
bring about one of the most dgnined
/ intelligent. enthusiastic. and vast assem-
blages the city of New York has ever wit
messed. Some 1000 persons filled the plat
form and the auditorium of the Hippo
drome TO its fullest capacity, while e5.o00
people at the very least. were outside the
building unable 20 obtain admission.
THE audience within and the overflow
without have arrested the attention Of
the entire community and have intensified
our own sOlidity. Beyond even the pri-
mary purpose for which the meeting was
convened, no one can measure how far
reaching its influence on the church, and
how permanent IN results among our
selves. viii be this glorious manifestation
of our Catholic faith and Of our flial 10y
/ atty to the Holy Father. the Vicar Of
/ Christ
Let not those who failed to gain en-
| trance To the Hippodrome imagine for a
moment that their journey was in vain.
/ They were indeed disappointed but by
! their seeking admission they contributed
as much as the audience inside to the
! success Of the demonstration. and I am
sure they would be willing to make a
! like sacrifice if another occasion should
arise.
You viii please read this letter to all
the masses, next Sunday, February 3, and
1 kindly convey 10 your people my most
/ sincere thanks
Praying for yourself and your devoted
flock every blessing. I am, faithfully
! yours in Christ
JOHN. ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK"