New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-09
LIBERTIES SAFE
IN HANDS OF CATHOLIC
Archbishop Farley Makes Unex-
peCted Speech at dwelling OF
Domain Tablet at st. Peters.
URGES CATHOLIC GOVERNOR
Addresses by Governor Dix and
Congressman Fitzgerald In
spire His Words, He Tells
Knights of Columbus.

Where the liberties OF people are
committed TO a Catholic their liberties
arc safer than when committed TO any
other individual" said Archbishop Far
ley yesterday.
The Archbishop was making a speech
at the unveiling of a tablet TO Thomas
Dongan. one Of the early Colonial gov
ernors OF New York. at ST -'eter'
Church. in Barclay street, and he found
his theme in the eulogy Of Governor Dix,
who dropped the flag that covered the
tablet.
The appointment Of this Roman
Catholic was one of those rrovi tial
rhances which have so often beta ID US
the past in Illuminating the course Of
the United States and guiding the path
Of civilization in America" said Gov
ernor Dix. quoting from Edward Chan
ming. And in closing his speech the
Governor said: LAS We to-day with the
searchlight Of advancing civilization
penetrate the clouds Of oldtime prejudice
an1 disperse the fogs Of militant intol-
erance we recognize the graceful figure
and the engaging countenance OF
Thomas Dongan in the very forefront OF
the great and good men Of his time who
in he cruel closing years Of the seven
teenth century. by their manhood and
the humanity. did their heroic part in
making possible the liberties and the op-
portunities which we enjoy"
why not try a Catholic Governor Of
New York again." asked Archbishop
Farley when 1t came his turn to speak.
If Governor Dongan set the pace for
the entire country in so many things, II
his spirit informs the charter Of New
Yor-, to-day. as 1t does. and informs also
the fundamental features Of the govern
ments Of most Of England's colonial pos
sessions to-day, why should we not in
trust TO a Catholic Governor the affairs
Of the state Of New York some day."
Speech Was Unexp. ;ted.
The Archbishop. according to the pro-
gramme. was only to pronounce the BEN
ediction. but when he stepped forward
he said that in response 70 request
that had just been made 70 him he
wanted TO make a few remarks. His re-
marks would necessarily be unprepared,
he continued, but he could find ample
inspiration in the speeches Of Governor
nix and Congressman Fitzgerald, who
had preceded him. He then advised in
trusting the Liberties Of the people to a
ca -holic. and. when the applause had
subsided. continued:
Now l am not going 70 make a po-
litical speech never did. But would
he derelict If were not TO draw atten-
ton to this lesson from the career Of the
first Catholic Governor Of New York
Colonial. II is true. but We have never
had another" Pursuing the subject. he
said: why is it that We have never
had a Catholic Mayor until within our
own memory? And when he was pre-
sentet 10 the people as a candidate
have no doubt many OF you remember
yrtat 4 time the newspapers had over
q, and the attacks that were made upon
the church, the assertion that our in
stitutlons were in leopard and other
falsehoods.
He was elected. but By very small
majority. And yet he made such a
sreat success Of his administration that
he was reelected, by very large ma
fcritv. and he quit office leaving behind
rim a record such as has been made by
no other Mayor Of ,;ew York before or
since"
The Archbishop said later that the
,Iavor he had in mind was William Z.
Grace.
The Tablet to Dongan.
The tablet 10 Governor Dongan was
placed on the easternmost Of the pillars
Of St Peter'r Church. and bore the in
scription: In memory OF Thomas Don
Continued On second page.