The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-08-16

against state schools as such do
raise objection, but as to the methods
in which they work-methods that,
whatever the theory, do in fact conse-
crate secularism as the religion of
America, and daily are thither driving
America with the f1ood-tide of Mag
ara. Somehow, secular knowledge
should be impaired to the child SO as
not to imperil its faith in God and in
Christ. Prove to me, say, that this
contention does not fully fit into the
Constitution of the United States,
that in making it have not in mind
the welfare, the salvation of America
prove this, before you denote me as
un-American.
A pernicious mistake is made re-
garding our complaint of the methods
in which state schools are conducted.
1t is, that Catholics are looking exclu-
sively to themselves and to their fl
nancial interests. Not so at all: we
look to ourselves: but even more so,
we look to the people of America, to
the Republic of America. We need
not be much concerned for ourselves.
We have our Catholic schools; tomor-
row we shall have them in greater
number, where our children receive
secular knowledge without peril to
faith and morals. Nor do we count
the cost of maintaining those schools,
in view of the priceless protection
they give to faith and morals. But
the vast population around us are
limited to schools of secularism- and
in this way secularism is fast becom-
ing the religion of America. Say
what you will, today, in America, the
evil is the decay of religion, and, in
logical sequence, the decay of morals.
In both instances the cause of the de-
cay is the enforced secularism of the
state schools. Others than Catholics,
heedful observers and intelligent
thinkers, admit the evil, admit the
cause and give the alarm. trust to
the awakening common-sense and
patriotism of the American people to
discover the remedy Meanwhile in
telling of the evil and of the cause,
my right hand on my conscience, I
rank myself among truest and most
loyal Americans.
Rights: No Privileges.
An axiom of Americanism is equal
rights for all, fair-play, "the square
DEAL" as it has been termed. That,
and naught else, is the demand of
Catholics in America. Catholics de-
mand their rights all the rights
guaranteed to American citizenship by
the letter and the spirit of the Con-
stitution; and for the acquisition and
the preservation of those rights they
shrink from no means or methods al
lowed by the Constitution and the
laws of the land. Were they to act
otherwise, they were the unworthy
sons of America. The rights of Cath.
olics are the rights of the personal
conscience of the Catholic citizen. 1t
is not the Catholic Church in it's Of
fetal name, that comes into issue: it
is the American citizen, whose relig-
ious faith is the faith of the Catholic
Church. Not to know ones rights is
low-mindedness: not to defend them
is cowardice. The true American, diff
fering from us in religion, would de.
spise us if we laid down our arms
before bigotry and injustice, and by
so doing disgraced the shield OF
Americanism, ever vowed to justice
and to valor.
Do we, however, demand special
privileges, not accorded to other citi
zens of America? No-never-no
more than we would allow to others
special privileges not accorded to our
selves-less even than we would al
low such privileges to others. If the
members of church, or of religious
or a semi-religious organization OF
any kind, arises in America, calling
for special privileges, be the shame OF
un-Americanism their portion. Such
contention never will be the dis
grace of Catholicism. The common
law of the land Catholics propose fol-
themselves: it is what they propose
for others.
Catholic fellow-citizens, claim your
rights-the rights given by the Con
stitution of the land, the American
spirit of fair-play, the laws of Ameri
can citizenship. But, in doing this
be on your guard, lest, even in slight
est semblance, you give offense to
men too ready to take offense. Be
sure, before you act, that reason and
justice are with you. Act always in
calmness, certain always that, upon
proper presentation of your case, soon
er or later America will deal rightly
with you Remember that your com
plant is not with the American PEG
pie, but with individuals, or small
classes of men, who, whatever theil
nominal Americanism, are beyond its
sweetest whisperings, below its rap
furious elevation of thought and sen
timent. OF the American people this
must be said-I say it from my heart
in full knowledge people more
deeply penetrated with the sense Of
civic and political justice, more gen
erous in concession of rights, where
rights belong, more respectful of theil
every brother, their every fellow-citi
zen, is not in existence on the broad
surface of the globe. This my tribute
to the American people, the verdict
my fifty years of private and public
commingling compel me to pronounce
Principles and Practices of Good
Citizenship.
Good nitizonchin is the need n