Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-10-19
Was Here Before the Great
John Wesley Was
Born.
Not For An Instant Weak in
Its Love For This
Country.
WHAT The CHURCH HAS DONE

Rev. P. Duffy, d. D., presents in
the last number of the Catholic
World the following beautiful and
true tribute to the Catholic church,
apropos of the ridiculous resolutions
passed at the recent Methodist con-
vention:
The Catholic church is no new
omer in America. 1t was here CEN
turtles before John Wesley, that great
and justly honored man, was born,
and before Methodism was ever
dreamed of. This America, as all
men know, was discovered by Cath
olics before Professionalism in any
form was invented. The larger part
of it was first explored and settled
by Catholics. In the Colonial period
of this country, two of the first
charters of religious liberty we're
granted by the Catholic governors,
Lord Baltimore, in Maryland, and
Governor Dongan, in New York.
American Catholics performed an
honorable part in the War Of Inde-
pendence, and the republic could not
have been victorious without the aid
of two foreign Catholic powers. Our
church in this country has always
been a patriotic church and a demo-
cratic church. 1t was for a long
time weak in numbers, but not for
an instant weak in it's love for Amer
lea. During the course of years it
received accession from King-ruled
lands, and it has made these new
corners the most intense and loyal
devotees to American ideals of
liberty.
The Catholic church is in the
limelight now. She is not shrinking
from inspection. Students of social
factors, statesmen, jurists, profess
sors, publicists, have been observing
's " no -s ~srs nnss st : DS tie
opinions that have been expressed, it
would run somewhat as follows: "In
the Catholic church the United States
possesses a powerful organism which
receives foreigners, offering them
the one great institution of enlight-
eminent and betterment, which is not
alien to them when they land on our
shores, thus holding them to their
moral practices, while instilling into
them our political ideals"
This organization is, first of all, a
religious one. 1t breaches Christ. 1t
does not use its pulpit to advocate
political measures, nor to stir up
sectarian strife. 1t makes heroic
sacrifices for the religious education
of its children, the future citizens OF
the nation. 1t is incessant in its
labors for the relief of all forms OF
human misery, and has the power OF
calling forth in its members, espe.
cially its Sisterhood, a divine
altruism which makes one proud thai
human nature can reach such
heights. The church sets itself in
opposition only to those who
threaten the foundation of religion
the family, the State. IL has stood
almost alone in the fight for the
preservation of the American home
II is looked upon by our mos
penetrating thinkers as the strongest
force at work for the maintenance
of our political and economic prin
ciples. 1t deals with reforms will
prudence, temperance and breadth o.
view which comes from nineteen
centuries of experience with al
classes of men. Even II one appl,
the test of business success, one find
activity, enterprise, ability to NEE
new conditions, equal to the bes
America has to show. Its business
integrity, too, is at the highest
Crises come and go; scandals arisi
in the world of finance; reputation
suffer; but the old church retains
financial credit and a reputation 70
Just dealing which the world can no
gainsay.