The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-11-21
Special 10 The Union.
LETTER FROM ABROAD.

PARIS, November IL, 1913.
Aessys. Editors :-Reverence is not the keynote
of Partisan character, nor are the inhabitants
of this city overwhelmed with respect for the
treasures of art, history and religion, which it
contains. Possibly it is the same old story of
familiarity breeding contempt; but no matter
what the cause, some of the effects are astonish-
ing. A well known dealer in elastic bandages,
trusses and surgical instruments. has recently
installed in the show-window Of his establish
ment on the Rue de Rivoli magnificent bronze
reproduction of Michael Angeles David, the legs
of which he has encased in rubber stockings
guaranteed as a sure cure for varicose veins.
The statue is further decorated with body
bandage designed for use in case of broken ribs.
and other appliances that cannot be mentioned
in an American family newspaper. The neigh
boring window holds life-size Venus de Milo.
laced in leather corset advertised to reduce
the waist and hips "a certain class of critics
may observe that this latter subject was not i'll
chosen) Early one morning last week hremen
were obliged to come to the aid of the equestri-
cnne Joan of Arc, who was observed in front of
the Hotel Regina balancing toy balloon on the
tip of her golden sword, with all the skill and
nonchalance.of Japanese juggler.
The same spirit manifested toward things reli-
Rious ceases to be amusing. and the length TO
which the sacrilege Is sometimes carried is
abominable. There is scarcely q vaudeville,
burlesoue or music hall that does not advertise
Jesus Christ among its comedians and present
upon its stage a shameful caricature of the
Saviour. In a like manner the leading book
stores make q feature of illustrated volumes
known as LA Bible Comique," In which sacred
NOUS manner. The clergy declare that Clemen-
ceau and his ATHEIST" government are the
fss of the admnstraton saw the Church has
retarded the nations progress and had to be
abolished as a state Institution, and, conse-
quently, that the administration mas done no
still an open. bleeding wound. The whole sub
ject is far too serious for stranger to venture
counting few plain facts which any traveller
may verify. That deep hostility existed in GOV
eminent circles not only toward the Catholic
Church as a state institution, but toward the
Christian religion per Sc. is incontestible. One
single phase of the situation will serve to Illus
trate this: Two decades or more age the church
in the northern part of Paris, an immense basili-
ca and the edi6ce stands today practically COM
pleted, with the exception OF the campanile. It
world and from distance is grandiose and i'm
posing, but at close range the style is heavy and
the ensemble lacking in conference. However,
fine points of architecture are beside the ques-
ton. The parish Is very proud of its achieve
ment and its pride is shared by the church at
large A few years ago number of advocates
of Sfree thought"-men who were hand in glove
with the national government-obtained the
grant of small piece of land Immediately In
front of this church and converted it into
small public square, on which they erected the
statue of a young man being burned at the
stake; The Inscription is as follows:
BARRE Tortured and Murdered at the
Age Of 10 years by the Catholic Church.
because he had Failed to Kneel before
Religious Procession"
The parish and the clergy generally were fill
ed with indignation. The statue, unquestiona-
bly, work of art, stood within the very shadow
of their church door; their children could not
attend divine service without being contami
mated by it no stranger. whether pilgrim or
tourist, could enter the church without first
noticing the monument and having his mind
poisoned by the words thereon. They appealed
to the law, of course in vain. for the thing could
never have been placed there without the ex-
press, specific permission of the government.
Indeed, its erection was government act, the
expenses Of which were defrayed by a private
society. The parishioners posted placards pro-
testing against the deed, declaring that the in
scription on the monument was without foun-
dalton in fact, and that the Chevaler La Barre
had been condemned and executed by crimi
nal Court of Justice. But the placards were
torn down within week. while the monument
Is designed to endure for centuries. Words can
not describe the bitter strife engendered by
this and similar proceedings Paris has scores
of monuments most of which have been erect
ed within the past ten or fifteen years, dedicated
to the memory of men whom the inscriptions
say we're martyrized by the church. That OF
Etienne DOlet. on the place Maubert not far
from NOtre Dame, is one of the best known ex-
amples. Circumstance of the same genre was
the sempantheonization" of Emile lola. The
Pantheon. it will be remembered, was built by
the architect Souf1ot, during the reign of Louis
XIV, and was destined to replace the ancient
church of the Abbey of st. Genevieve. Builded.
then on sacred ground, it was consecrated to
the worship of God and to the memory of the
patron saint of Paris, and it's dome is still sur
mounted by a cross.
Anti administration newspapers at this mo-
ment are publishing strong editorials addressed
to the fathers and mothers of France-not
solely to Catholics, not solely to Christians. but
to ell who have at heart the welfare of their
children-declaring that the government is no
longer worthy to be trusted with the educa-
ton of the young, even deploring, in view of
present conditions, the compulsory education
laws, and exhorting parents to take upon them
selves the duty of supplying the ethical teach
Jugs which are lacking IN the PUBIC schuuis. In
answer, the government says the province of the
school is simply to teach reading, writing, arith
metic, etc., and above all patriotism. Love of
country is made to take the place of love of God.
I do not feel called upon, nor do feel that
have been in France long enough to draw con-
illusions from these conditions. In the capacity
of newspaper reporter, endeavoring faithfully
to record facts as see them, without color or
bias l have here set down fair statement of
a remarkable situation. AS an American boy.
may add 1 am deeply thankful that these coDdi-
lions do not exist In the United States. s.