The Irish standard., 1908-05-02
A POWER AND LEADER
Such Was John Hughes, First
Archbishop of New York.
The Knowno:hings Met Their
Gibraltar in Him.

were bred in the troublouS times OF the
forties. flfties and sixties, we ought not
confine ourselves TO those Of the bat
tlefeld and political arena, says the
Notre Dame Scholastic.
The religious field has also produced
its quota, among whom Archbishop
Hughes of NewFYork stands out as the
hero. He was power and leader.
The knownothings met their Gibraltar
in him. He fought. suffered and died
on the battlefield; but like his contem-
porary. Grant. he knew not defeat.
John Hughes! The very name
speaks courage, activity. application,
valor and sancity. 1t belongs to the
catalogue of the Pauls and Chrysos-
toms. FIis glory lives not in New York
alone. Let Erin name her great sons,
and this name will be with the fore
most; let Columbia measure the pat
riotism Of her children. and she will
marvel at the spirit of loyalty found in
the heart of Hughes. Seeing America,
he embraced the Stars and Stripes
he became an American in a single
day
Catholic America has only one Arch
bishop Hughes. and he welded more
powerful influence than any other
American bishop has ever possessed.
When the Philadelphia riots had set
mischief afoot and Catholics through
out the land were threatened with loss
of churches, homes rights and even
life when the Knownothngs had al
ready raised their hand to repeat in
New York the things that Philadelphia
had just witnessed, Bishop Hughes.
with words of unhinching determine
tfon and with a pen that flashed fire,
stayed the awful catastrophe that was
ripe and ready in the minds Of the ma
licious. He reused the Catholic ele-
ment warned and instructed them.
With the motives Of a. father and with
the spirit of a Napoleon he watched
his flock-his army.
do the laws compensate for damage
done by riotcrs?" he asked an official
mo" = =.
"Then the laws intend that citizens
shall defend their own property" was
the quick Celtic conclusion of the
bishop.
His American ingenuity and Ameri-
can celerity capsed an extra of the
; Freeman's Journal to appear with this
bold dictum; 'If. as it has already ap-
peared in Philadelphia, it would be a.
part Of native Americanism to attack
the Catholics houses or churches, then
1t behooves them, in case all other
protection fail, to defend both with
! their lives. In this they will not be
acting against the law. but for the
law" The enemies of Bishop Hughes
read those lines; the officials of the
city read them and realized their
source and import. Knownothings
We're seen hurrying about to cancel
their meetings and as a result, no
riots Of Knownothingism blemish the
fair history Of New York.
Archbishop Hughes was too illus
trious and sincere an American to he
misunderstood very long. His enemies
soon gave way. therefore, to admira-
tion of him. Hc was invited by Presi-
dent Polk to proceed to Mexico on a
mission Of peace This he had reason
to refuse. But when a distressed eoy
| ernment literally bowed to the won
| derful man and cntreated him to cross
| the Atlantic and beseech Euronean
courts not to recognize Confederate in
dependence, the bishops. patriotism
was touched to the quick His mis-
sion is matter Of history: his success
Is the perpetual joy not only of Catho-
lies. but also OF Americans OF all
creeds. Thus did he make manifest and
concrete the doctrine Of the Prince ~
Peace. Thus did he return good for
evil love for hate, sympathy for big
otrN. When he returned he was NOT
disappointed for having always be-
lieved America to be the land Of
recompense and appreciation. America
met him when lie landed the second
time with jubilant welcome.
lie was Intrepid, yet gentle. His
smile was perpetual, his wit keen.
But he defended his cause and reputa-
tton with fearless energy and earnest
ness. Il know YOU can write we'll, and
can multiply words and msrepresent
truth; this is not the thing that will
save you now. Come forth with your
| facts" he said in challenge to tho