The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-08-29
He Dispels Some Erroneous Notions About
the Aims and Purposes of the
Organization.
1t Stands For the Christian Life of the
Nation, the Protection of Family
and of Home.

Bishop McFaul in his address be-
fore the Catholic Federation conven-
ton in Boston recently dispelled some
erroneous notions about the aims and
purposes of the organization. This
Bishop is an ardent champion Of fed
Grafton and gives cogent reasons for
dress before the convention he said:
Several erroneous conceptions of
federation abound. Some think 1t is a
sort of grievance committee. whose
members intend to meddle unreason
ably in the body polite. They add
that the result must be friction be-
tween Catholics and nom Catholics
who are now living together peaceably
and harmoniously. Why then stir up
strife and bigotry:
"These good people need not be
alarmed, for we are just as anxious to
live in quietness as they are. We de-
sire strongly to possess the good will
of our fellow -citixen. Federation In
tends to cement and strengthen the
bonds of friendship which should exist
in every we'll l-organized community;
to foster peace and happiness. AND to
remove those misconceptions of Cath
clic thought and action which nave
heretofore proved 80 detrimental to
our true interests.
cultivate peace, to destroy bigotry, to
place ourselves and our Church in
their true light before the American
people. II labors increasingly t. ex
tend the hand of fellowship to nom
Catholics and unite with them when
necessary for the solution OF the prob
lens Of the day and the redress Of
the evils which are menacing to sta
bility and security Of modern civiliza-
olic unity accomplish for the educa
tinn and uplifting Of the masses: what
evils in this city or in the nation
could long Withstand the continued
opposition Of millions Of Intelligent,
,irtuous, law abiding citizens!
"Others assert that such an organi-
zation is useless. because II aims to re-
dress grievances when only imaginary
grievances exist. For the benefit of
all who are thus disposed. shall ask
a. few questions: Is the Bible read,
are Protestant prayers recited. and
schools Of your district? Is the priest
allowed free access to all public insti-
tutions. whether penal or charitable,
for the purpose Of administering to
the religious needs Of the inmates? :?
Is the Mass or any Catholic religious
service allowed in your public insti-
tutions? Do the ini~ates all gather
together to attend Protestant worship?
If Catholics are Obliged to attend sec
tartan worship. what becomes Of the
freedom of conscience guaranteed by
both state and national constitutions? :?
"To redress our grievances will not
create enmity between us and our fell
low citizens. Do you know why we
have grievances in this land of lib
erty? Because of weakened, jelly
fish Catholics, who are afraid to call
their souls their own. Walk abroad
in this great country Of ours. from the
lakes to the gulf. What sort Of a
man is the average onCatholic
American whom we will meet? Cen
orally a broad minded man. a. large
hearted man. lover of justice and
right and strong hater OF injustice,
wherever found. You prate to MIN Of
grievances. What will he say? Our
fathers mingled their blood to found
this glorious republic: shed 1t like
water to maintain this union. and you
lave no business to have grievances.
If you have them, it is your own fault.
You are too cowardly to make them
known and have them redressed. And