The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-08-14

which it lives and works in its own
native right Things civil
and political are subject, as reason
and equity demand, to the civil
authority, Jesus Christ himself having
commanded that the things of Caesar
be given to Caesar, as the things of
God are given to God, Language
could not be palmer, more emphatic,
more authoritative with regard to the
rights of the civil power, its indepen-
dence within its proper zone of action.
The position of the Catholic church,
consequently of Catholics, toward the
nation or state, is defined in clearest
terms by the highest authority of the
church.
"What is to be feared from the
Catholic church? To priest, to bishop
or to Pope, who--I am willing to con-
slider the hypothesis should attempt to
rule in matters civil and political, to
influence the citizen beyond the range
of their own orbit Of jurisdiction that
of the things of God. The answer is
quickly made-Back to your own sphere
of rights and duties-back to the
things Of God! Or, in like manner
should the state, or its officials, in
law or in act, step beyond the frontier
of temporal jurisdiction and dare lay
hands upon the things spiritual and
divine, the answer isBeware, touch
not the things which God has reserved
to his duly appointed representatives
in the spiritual order.
America is a Republic.
"America is republic; the spirit,
the form of government is democracy
the government of the people, by the
people, for the people. Is there not
here, it is asked, at least touch of
conflict between my religious faith and
my civic and political faithR I tread
upon easy ground, so plain are the
teachings Of the Catholic church in
favor Of the rights of the people in
matters Of civic and political govern
ment again quote from the encycli
cal letters of Leo XIII. The pontiff
writes: There is no power but from
God. The right Of command, however,
is not in itself linked to any one form
az government. One or the other form
fro commonwealth may rightfully give
TO itself, provided such be really pro-
motive Of the common welfare y No
reason is there why the church should
prefer one form of government to an
other, provided the form that is chosen
be just in itself and favorable to the
common good. Therefore, tbS rules OF
justice being duly observed, the people
are free to adopt that form Of govern
ment which benefits their temper, or
best accords with their traditions and
customs America declared itself a
republic; its government is organized
democracy In America, according to
the teachings of the Catholic church,
the republic is the sole legitimate gov
eminent; to the republic Catholics are
in conscience obliged to yield sincere
and answering obedience.
tGod is the source and the giver of
all power; of themselves men have no
authority over other men. The
authority of the parent over the child
is from God, who created nature and
so created the family; the authority of
the state is from God, who willed that
men should live within the fostering
embrace Of social organism. In this
sense, but in none other, government,
whatever the form, rules by divine
right. God gives the power; but the
people choose those that hold it, and
mark out the conditions under which
they do hold it. This is supreme
democracy; it is the dogma Of
Catholicism.
Gin America, the government is the
republic the government Of the peo-
pie, by the people and for the people.
With you, fellow Catholics, with you,
fellow Americans, / salute the repub-
lie. / thank God that the people of
America are capable of possessing a
government of this form, the republic
it is the fullest recognition Of human
dignity and human rights, the fullest
grant of personal freedom, that due
regard for the rights of others and the
welfare of the social organism may al
low Alter it to an empire or a mon.
archyl Never, so long as our lips may
praise it, or our hands WELD sword
in its defense. Permit the barbarous
onslaughts of lawlessness and anarchy
to undermine its foundation or lessen
-.