The Irish standard., 1913-08-16

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
decay is the enforced secularism of
the state schools. Others than Cath
olics, heedful observers and intelligent
thinkers. admit the evil, admit the
cause and give the alarm. I 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. /
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 all
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. It
is not the Catholic Church in it's off,
cial name, that comes into issue; it
Is the American citizen, whose reli-
gious 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 bisotry and injustice. and by
so doing disregarded 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 ourselves
less even than we would allow such
privileges to others. If the members
OF a church, or of religious or a SEMI
religious organization of any kind,
arises in America, calling for special
privileges, be the shame Of un-Amer.
icanism their portion. Such a conten-
ton never will be the disgrace Of
Catholicism. The common law of the
land Catholics propose for themselves;
1t 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 Amer
lean 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,
pefore you act. that reason and JUS
tice 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 peo.
pie. but with individuals, or small
classes Of men, who, whatever their
nominal Americanisnl, are beyond it's
sweetest whisperings. below its rap
turous elevation Of thought and senti-
ment. 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 their
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 citizenship is the need of Am.
erica, the basis of it's safety, the spring
of its hopes. It is the imperious law
of Catholicism. I say the law of
Catholici1m-the law, consequently, Of
all who live its spirit, who obey it's
mandates. Those who bear the name
Of Catholic, but are faithless to tho
injunctions OF their religion, I disown.
They are bad citizens despite their
creed. which with all the force innate