The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-08-17

that, her properties conf1scated; but
from the injustice done, she appeals,
not to the sword, but to the God Of
Justice, and remains strong in the
conviction that He, Who has prom
ised to be with her all days. shall not
forsake her. Though her material
possessions remain in the hands of
the spoiler, yet secure in the protec-
ton of her Lord and Master, she
walks serenely onward in the pleni-
tude of that spiritual life, which Civ
Ell her by God, certain that 1t Is be-
yond the power Of mans destroying.
Least of all in this America. of to-
day Is there need for a resort to vio-
fence. The few who taunt us, though
their words be bitter and their at
tacks aggravating, are still unworthy
of more than passing notice. The
great body Of our people whatever
their religion or lack of religion, are
so fortunately endowed with the
spirit Of intelligence and justice and
genuine Americanism, as to make un-
necessary an appeal to arms, at least
for the defense Of religious creed;
and their advance in culture, tolera-
ton and fair play makes such an ap-
peal In the future ridiculous, II not
impossible.
There is not much reason for the
Guardians Of Liberty to remain an
guard. Their occupation is gone, in
so far as Catholics are concerned. We
can only pity, as Madame Roland did
in the long ago, tho Liberty that has
to tolerate such worthless bigots in
her train.
But, though unarmed, we Catholics
of America, feel that just what rights
the others have, we, also, may claim;
not only claim. but should obtain.
And in this statement of rights. this
claim of justice, we wish it to be de-
i1oerately understood that we have no
favors to ask. no particular consil-
GRAFTON to demand. In the past can
safely assert we have asked for no
favors. and to relieve your overgratc-
full minds, I wish to add, we have OBJ
tanned none. In the long list of those
who occupied the position of Presi-
dent, their relationship to the Cath
Ole body is not measured by So
called favors granted, but rather by
the sense of justice and the absence
of prejudice that appeared more in
one than in the other. Here also is
our position for the future: Not 10
ask for favors, but to claim equal
rights with your fellow citizens; and
to sustain the one who recognizes
your rights as he does the rights of
others, who is broad enough to treat
all Americans equal, whatever their
origin. whatever their tribe or their
creed.
Tp conclude. therefore, while we
defy one Of the enemy's ISLANDERS. we
ara perfectly willing to take the other
for pur text. Unarmed. except in the
panoply of truth; unguarded, save in
the guardianship of Christ, we go
forth to preach the gospel. we go forth
to tell the TRUTH, and In the gladncss
of our possession, we desire to fulfill
the duty we owe to the God of truth
to give others chance to participate
therein. Not In anger not in bitter
ness, but In the fullness of Christian
charity, we face the duty of today,
which has been the duty of the Church
during all these years, that Is to
preach Christ crucified before the ma
lions. In this land of ours while you
may not see the contamination, your
reward will be in knowing that. 80 EAR
as In you lay, you have done the hest
you could. The swords Of steel YOU
never had, you cannot draw; the mus
kets You never owned, you may not
use; but instead thereof, you will, with
all the bravery of the knights of old,
draw the sword of the spirit to defend
the cause of God and truth. Would You
hesitate? Only cravens hesitate. If
our separated brethren believe in the
righteousness Of their cause, of their
faith. then from out that conviction is
begotten for them a duty similar to
that I urge on you. Why should they,
then find fault with us in hoping to
accomplish what in their order might
be similar duty for them; or would
they want us to be cravens all? Should
not we all realize the soundness of this
principle. that they who have the
truth must do as the one in the Cos
pei to whom the talents were given:
as the talents should be expended, so
the truth must be preached.
This therefore 10 sneciHcolI,. 1,orr