The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-11-27

ranks of useful and profitable liter
ature. There are- books and books:
There are publications of great and
permanent value, but along with these
swarm of, worthless and vicious
books are4constantIy issued-a mass Of
idle and perishable trash or worse! l
have always doubted the wisdom Of
Mr.. Carnegie's much donated philan.
thropy in giving his millions to public
libraries. When, we remember that
seventy OF eighty per cent Of the cir
culation Of our principal public IL
braries-accordins, to statistics-con-
sists of fction. and when we realize
that at least nfty per cent of that fic-
tion is silly and hkely mischievous, or
worse-it may well, say, be ques-
toned whether Mr.: Carnegie has not
in this particular made doubtful and
unwise application of his vast and
widespread bounty. / take for grant.
ed that the measure of the benefits de-
rived from the use Of public library
is not in the number of books given
out, but rather in the character of the
books, and in the use made Of them
by the reader.
Why do speak of these things here.
and now?I Because I deem it a duty
to warn those who have influence to
exert that influence in combating and
endeavoring to arrest the dangers that
beset us, to employ every proper effort
to safeguard our youth especially
against y dangerous temptations,
whether books or in companionshtp p
with evil associations. Herein lies the
precious and powerful influence of wo-
men in the opportunities of home by
example and teaching.
These reflections give ma occasion,
to. say a few words on the important
subject Of Catholic literature, and
especially of Catholic journals. I am
addressing an assembly of Catholics
who, in the nature of things, must
feel interested In the subject. Every
Catholic family, take for granted,
subscribea for, or buys q daily paper
of some sort. T1,esr Spapers frequent
ly, may almost say daily, put forth
items of news aid editorials directly
or remotely bearing on or affectins
Catholic religious belief and teaching.
How rarely is the Catholic point of
view fairly presented?. How often is
not Catholic feeling wounded in the
public press-often, it is true, unwit-
tingly? Frequent mention of the Pope
of papal doings and affairs-and u1
events transpiring in Catholic coun-
tries. Are these statements and COM
deed, is not the contrary most COM
monty the case, either from Ignorance
or prejudice?
Those influences are believed to be
masonic and infidel. We have a more
recent and striking example of this
perversion and suppression of facts ir
the case of the recent outbreak q!
Barcelona, in Spain-and especially in
the manner in which the trial and con-
demnation of the chief instigator OF
that outbreak has been given to tn:
public. The most atrocious and bar
barous murders and cruelties were
committed in Barcelona by an unor-
ganized band of iendish anarchists
who sought the destruction of q law
full government, in order to satisfy
their hate of authority--of law ar"
order-above all Of religion. Priesta
and helpless nuns were the victims o.
the ferocity Of this lawless moi,
Churches were burned and wrecked
converts, including the home of thu
Little Sisters of the Poor, were de.
stroyed, and even the very graves vio.
lated and the dead outraged to satia Il
the diabolical spirit Of the mob of as.
sassins!
How was all this sad narrative Civ.
en- to the public? In what manner
have the trial, sentence and execution
Of the principal instigator of the out
break been treated-and the manifesto.
tions on the part Of his anarchist sym
pathizers throughout Europe? Hav'
} we. in Chicago. forgotten the lesson O
the Haymarket Massacre, which, ba:
and wicked though 1t was, fell IA
! short of the atrocities and wickednes
of the Barcelona miscreants? Thj
/ brings me back to the point 1 wish t,
, make, and which I desire strongly t,
. impress upon my hearers, that, in or
der to be well and truly informed a.
to Catholic affairs and concerns a
home and abroad, you must look to tn
; Catholic journal. II you don't get tn
earliest news. at least, you will get tn
, most faithful-because the truth will
be sifted from the false No Catholi