The Irish standard., 1913-08-16
"AMERICANISM AND
CATHOLICISM"
CONTINUED From Page ~


matter Of fact legions of Catholic vot-
ers in America believe me hopelessly
wrong in politics. AS citizen l may
regret that my political influence is
not wider; as Catholic, am glad of
the independence of the citizenship of
/ America.
There is in America no Catholic po-
litical party; none should there be. AS
matter of course, were a special is-
sue raised, in which rights of Catholics
were menaced, the conscience of Cath
olics were impelled to defend those
. rights, on the ground of American
fair-play itself That and nothing
more.
I Now and then l myself made the
complaint that in America Catholics
are not represented in the higher Of
! fees Of the land proportionately to
their numbers. My words were in
terpreted as it l had urged Catholics
to take political control of state and
nation in the interest of the Catholic
Church. Nothing is further from my
mind. My sole contention is that,
seemingly, Catholics are lacking in
legitimate civic ambition, or in high
civic qualifications: else, their fellow
Americans would have been more will
ing to honor them. Is this position
not squarely American - equal rights
to all, provided the merits be equal?
repeat the lessons to Catholics who
now hear or may later read my words
For your own sake, for the sake of
America, upward be your march in So
to render service to the country, in
moral worthiness, in Intellectual cul-
ture; then trust yourselves to the So
cial and political justice of your fell
low-Americans., Some Catholics there
are who complain that hostility to
their religion keeps them in the dark
vale, while too often the fact is that
their own shortcomings forbid them
to ascend to the sun-lit hills. Either
high positions, or they have been with
out the legitimate ambition to honor
themselves by giving to the country
/, highest and best service. l have said:
trust to the Justice and fair-play of
your fellow citizens. Should, however,
the particular case arise where it is
plain you are set aside solely because
you are Catholics, then, in the name
of Anericanism, protest-so loudly
that never again will similar insult be
offered to your. American citizenship.
Catholics in Days of War.
I have. told, Of the American Cath
Ollie in time, 81 peace; shall 1 tell of
him In time OF war? Here 1 proffer
no argument: I relate historic &C.
currence. 1t was at Gettysburg, fifty
years ago, the second day of July. 1868.
The command is hurried to the Irish
Brigade to check the onrush of Gen.
eral Anderson's Confederates. The
chaplain, Rev. William Corby, leaps
to the top of a large buolder-stone:
''The Catholic Church. he shouts, re-
fuses Christian burial to the soldier
who turns his back to the foe or de-
serts his flag'-adding that he is ready
to impart sacramento absolution to
| fhnco 1yh0 in, THAR ri cir
cere act of sorrow for sin. All are on
their knees. General Hancock in his
saddle removes his hat: the absolu-
ton is given: the charge is made: the
Confederates fee backwards.
Gettysburg is but one of hundred
instances my = tongue could easily
name. Somehow. Catholicism and
Americanism commingle graciously
their intertwinings, when the honor
of the star spangled banner is in
peril.
Catholicism a Religion for America.
AS a religion, Catholicism is in the
arena. with the spiritual arms, forged
by its Founder-faith, hope and char
ity. 1t is avowedly expansive and
propagandist What else, so long az
the divine commission reads: Going,
therefore. teach We all nations"
Is America to be Catholic in reli-
gion? Fain would have it so: 1 am
not, however, so ignorant of history
! and Of present conditions as to imaE-
inc that the goal is within near reach.
But Catholicism in America, all con-
sideration given to ebb and flow, is
growing apace. will not deem my
self in error when I estimate the
Catholic population of the United
States to be eighteen millions, to
which figure are to be added nearly
ten other millions, If we number all
whom today the flag owns or pro-
tects.