The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-03-08

Catholic citizenship comprises the
rights, privileges and duties of the
Catholic citizen, that is, of one who
owes allegiance to a government and
is entitled to protection from it. The
title of citizen was held in high
esteem in ancient times by the
Greeks and Romans, the civilized ma
tions of the then known world Cath
olic citizenship during the Middle
Ages received its full meaning under
the double princedom of the Pope
and Emperor In the Holy Roman
Empire of the German nation. Ameri-
can citizenship is founded upon the
dignity of manhood and suffrage.
Rights, honor and dignity of Ameri-
can citizenship are derived from the
majesty of manhood and suffrage
and from the wealth and prosperity
of the country The duties of cit
izenship may be summed up under
the heads of patriotism and obedi-
ence to the law. The duties are
based upon the laws of nature and
sanctioned by religion. They fall in
under the fourth commandment in
which the duties of subjects to lawful
authority are declared. Patriotism,
to be true Christian virtue, must
be enlightened, and fails neither by
lack of ardor nor sins by boastful
excess. The enlightened citizens will
be able to hold the golden mean
Patriotism Must Be Intelligent.
Patriotism must be intelligent and
enlightened, fed by the constant
study of the history, the institutions
and the achievements of the nation.
It must also be vigilant, alert and
active in warding off impending dan
gers. One of the great perils that
threatens the ruin of the country is
the widespread corruption in politi-
cal life. Others are the luxury and
laxity of the nations moral life, the
red flag, evidences of religious bigo-
try and criminal violations of de-
cency. It is the duty Of the good
citizen to combat these evils
as far as lies in his power. A para
mount duty Of citizenship is to make
the correct use of the ballot. The
person who does not have interest
enough in his country to vote or who
does not vote conscientiously, de-
serves to be deprived of the right Of
suffrage.
Obedience to the civil law is
another duty of citizenship. The
authority of law comes from God.
His authority is vested in the laws
of the land, hence the necessity of
obedience to the country's laws.
Only If the laws of the nation are
contrary to the laws of God is the
citizenship allowed to say, I must
obey God, rather than man
High Test Of Citizenship.
Citizenship is put to its highest
test by the call of arms to defend
the country. In that case the loyal
citizen will not hesitate to shed his
blood for his country, America.
"The citizen as a Catholic has a
two-fold problem to solve: To spread
and exemplify in his life the gospel
VI 1uElSty anu W nSAp hlS AShOW GAC-
izens in all movements for the good
and welfare of his country. Bigotry
has spread the lie that Catholic
cannot be good citizen. The truth
is, that no Catholic can be good
citizen unless he be true son Of
the church, and that no Catholic can
be true son Of the church without
being a magnificent citizen Of the
state.
"Thus the blessings brought by the
Catholics have been benefits to the
American commonwealth, az the his
tory of Christianity i'm America clear
" proves. The early Catholic pio-
neers enriched the country with
their labor, their earthly goods, their
schools and churches and by leading