The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-12

nmemDo aG tho gAeAcAm.
To " EDErOR or THn SUN-Siv: n
writer recently had occasion 70 uphold Pro-
lessor Goodwin Smiths views N -Italanism
In tho Vatican and gave substantial reasons
for distributing more equally the hOnors 20
be conferred for ability and devotion TO the
Church. A SCORE OF criticisms pro and CON
are now upon my desk. coming all the way
from Rochester and New Orleans. Thsy deal
In general deDials without touching the 0nes-
ton ae issue. One critic doubts my Catho-
liOity and alleges prejudice. All Of which -
absurd and shows how easy IL In for men 90
befOg their own vision when truths disagree
able. To be blunt. the Italian people are what
American Catholics call nominal Th1t 10
TO say. they rarely attend maSa; they fah 70
approach the sacramento with any degree on
frequency. and q few questions viii sunace 70
prove their utter ignorance OF religion. Halh
Of their marriages contracted In this country
are performed by civil magistrates.
Last month the foundation stone Of an
Italian church waa laid in Camden. but al
though the rector claimed at least 1000 MEM
oens fewer than 100 persona were present.
The building Is being constructed largely
through the generosity OF the Irish and Ger
mans. lately heard a New York priest
remark that there are In the metropolis fully
half 2 million Italians who rarely II, ever see
the interior of a church. Philadelphia Irish
men have made the Italians a gtit OF Two
Ing mass, A conservative estimate places
their number in that city at l25. 600. but three
ali. The same conditions obtain throughout
the country. Raising the cry OF poverty.
they assert that the maintenance Of rsnn0h
Germans make sacrifices in behalf OF l9ttn.
and the sons n Poland are emplatin{ them
today. Poish school IN Chic@xo mas an
re Is mo-, my desire e portray the abort
comings Of these people before the woIin'
hint aa n 1AyAI On thnltN- n convert 70 the k4Atn.
knowing the lamentable condition OF reilHlon
in Italy and believing that the lLTsiEioSs
shadow Of st. Peters has a deterrent effect
upon those who might otherwise join, tho
o. the Eastern and The Western branches
OF the ancient organization that American
priests should be called upon to inject Their
Vatican, which course would In time und0ubt-
eddy improve the morale of Italy.
Another phase Of the situation recently
expressed to me by one of the foremost clergy
men OF Philadelphia Ia that the free thinking
DiSy havoc with American social and religious
Institutions. IL should be remembereo That
they are coming here as fast as shlDs can carry
them, and within twenty-five years they Will
dominate the Eastern States, Without re.
llgiOus belief OF any kind. during q period Of
by ~demagogues into committing acts detri-
mental to the wellbelng OF society we anvs
recently read Of 1000 snSES5lsTs P% 1 = thss
red flag Of revolution, with cries 81 Death
to the POpei" Down with the KLngi@ A
sharp contrast to the attitude OF our foremost
American statesmen, who have wisely recog-
nized the potency OF religion In preserving
the integrity Of the nation.
II grieves US to make the admission, but IL
cannot be denied that lays masses to-day
are for the most part inHdelsi We need immi-
grants on these shores, but they must be con-
trOlIed by belief I'm the existence Of a Supreme
Power. II the millions Of Italy are to De
practical Christians. the work must devOlye
upon the man Who has been thoroughly
drilled. for the purpose OF disseminating
Latin has been tried and found wanting.
WILLIAM 3. LON0.
CAMDEN, N. j., November II.