The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-02-28
Catholic Citizenship
From Mondays Daily.

Kew. Fatner Anthony hartmann OF
SITS. Peter and Paul's Catholic
church delivered an interesting and
uplifting lecture in the auditorium of
the Loyola club last evening on
Catholic Citizenship" A good sized
audience heard him with evident APP
probation, as his words of advice
and truth carry the weight of long
experience and diligent study of con-
ditions. Before Father Hartmann be-
gan his lecture, Miss Florence Hodapp
with the violin and Miss Genevieve
Hodapp at the piano, rendered sew
eral classic selections.
Father Hartmann spoke as follows:
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 ii. The
title of citizen was held in high es-
TEEN in ancient times by the Greeks
and Romans, the civilized nations
of the then known world. Catholic
citizenship during the middle ages
received its full meaning under the
emperor in the Holy Roman empire
of the German nation. American
citizenship is founded upon the dig
nifty Of manhood and suffrage. Rights,
honor and dignity of American citi-
Zenship are derived from the majesty
of manhood and suffrage and from
the wealth and prosperity of the
country. The duties OF citizenship
may be summed up under the heads
OF patriotism and obedience to the
law. The. duties are based upon the
laws Of nature and sanctioned by re-
ligion. hey fall in under the fourth
commandment in which the duties of
subjects TO lawful authority are de-
clared. Patriotism. 10 be a true
Christian virtue must be enlightened,
and fails neither by lack of ardor
nor sin by bOastful excess. The en-
lightned citizen 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. /
1t 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 polit-
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. 1t is the duty of the good .
citizen 70 combat with 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
"0orgH in his country to vote or who
does not vote cOnScientiously, de-
serves 70 he deprived of the right Of
Obedience to the law is
"rother duty of citizenship. The au-
hnritv Of law should come from
God. His authority is vested in the
laws Of the land hence the necessity +
If obedience 70 the country's laws.
Only if the laws of the nation are
contrary TO the laws of God is the
allowed TO say. 4 must
1hey God. rather than man. I!
High Test of Citizenship. I
"C'izenShip is put to its highest
est by the call of arms to defend
he country. In that case the loyal
citizen will not hesitate to shed his
blood for his country. America. Il
The citizen as a Catholic has
WO-fold problem 10 solve: ITO
spread and exenplify in his life the
gospel of Christ. and to help his I
elbow citizens in all movements for {
he good and welfare of his country.
3igotry has spread the lie that
catholic cannot be a good citizen.
The truth is. that no Catholic can
re good citizen unless he be a true
on of the church, and that no
'atholic can be a true son of the
hurch without being a magnificent /.
itizen Of the state.
Thus the blessings brought by the )
;athollcs have been benefits to the ,,
american commonwealth, as the his q, !,
DRY OF Christianity in America clear , ,
proves. The early Catholic pio-
leers have enriched the country with
heir labor their earthly goods, their
choolS and churches and by leading =
ives OF earnest faith and practical :
morality. Catholic citizens of today =,
must walk in the footsteps of their I
orefathers, to do we'll their God. +;
ppolnted work. Since by earnest :,
attn and practical Christianity, con. .
itions have changed; methods and 9
measures may undergo a change also. :
ne Catholic citizen must seek in 6
tructlon-interest himself more in !
igher education and take a livelier s
interest in the social activities of the !
ge. Catholic citizens are Obliged 10 q
asst their vote on election dav, in r
nunlcipal. state and government cleo d
IONS, and all have an obligation to h
e practical politicians.
program of Catholic Citizenship.
The program of Catholic citizen. I
hip as laid down in the procIama. I
ION OF John II. Redden of Denver,
upreme master of the fourth degree I
I the Knights of Columbus, NAV t
erve as a model for the initiation Q
all Catholic citizens. Its contents t
re: Social and moral uplift of the p
ountry, by putting into practice the a
eachings of the Catholic church. II S
eands for Virile patriotism, it seeks C
spread the moral code of the t
'atnolic church to make a lasting v
oundation for civil society and civil {
overnment. 1t has no quarrel with +
l,ristians or any denomination-its u
gnt is with ignorance and unbelief, Z
'hlch are menaces to society. a
hellglon and morality, which are n
'enuoned IN the pillars of good gov