The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-01-21
SATURDAY. JANUARY Fl. 1911.
NO INSULT TO OUR SOLDIERS!

No, insult to our soldiers was not
spoken from the pulpit of the Cattle
dral of st. Louis on New Years Day.
The report of the sermon of the Arch
bishop of St. Louis as appearing in
the press indicated that words were
uttered by him, untrue in themselves,
and grossly calumnious of the army
of the country. AS reported, the
words of the Archbishop were as fol-
lows:
"He is hired assassin, killing men
at so much per head. His gold lace,
epaulets and tinsel signify nothing but
the fact that he is living on public
revenues and doing little or nothing
for the community. The professional
soldier deserves no admiration and is
not one who should be held up as an
ideal man."
The Archbishop never uttered such
words, never could have uttered them.
"The Western Waterman" gives the
correct report:
''The soldier who fights for pay, and
who is willing to fight on either side,
allowing his decision to be determined
by the amount of money he receives,
the old time type of soldier who
ciple, such a one is little better than
a "hired assassin"
The man who serves as soldier I'M
der whatever fag-preferably under
that one which pays him the most
money, without regard to principle,
without a sense of duty or a sense of
patriotism, may be, in intent at least,
the assassin. But, the man who enlists
as soldier in the army of his country
that he may, at all hazard, at the
expense of life itself, serve his coun-
try and maintain it's honor at home or
abroad, is the hero whom all patriots
acclaim, whose name evokes at all
times praise most sincere from the
countrys citizenship. War in itself is
hideous and we all pray that it be
infrequent; that some day the sun
may rise upon nations so blended in
fraternal charity that the sword shall
never again be drawn by one against
the other But, hope and pray as we
may, the day of universal peace is
distant, and the nation that holds it's
name in esteem and watches over its
vital interests, must have it's army;
and the man who says to the nation,
wherever thy veal bids me go l go,
even into the jaws of death, is the
man whom all must honor, to whom
must go out deepest and sincerest
gratitude To say that the soldier is
an assassin is to say that every po-
liceman, that every sworn unholder
of social order, is an assassin. Take
away the policeman and allow human
passion to riot in uncontrolled free
dom, the social organism becomes the
prey of robber and murderer; take
away the soldier and the nation lies
PROSTATE at the feet of whatever other
nation is jealous of it's glory and free.
dom, or covets it's skies and fields
The profession is the most honorable
which calls for the greatest sacrifice;
and where is sacrifice greater, outside
of the ministry of Jesus Christ, than
in the army and navy of the country
where at a moments notice the com
mand is given to be prodigal of ones
life-blood for hearth and shrine? AL
honor to the army and navy! Such
the teaching of the best instincts Of
the human soul; such the teaching Of
religion. 1t was an ugly betrayal Of
a Catholic prelate to have set him ur
as an enemy of the army. Was it, or
the part of the reporter, malice, OF
mere carelessness?