The Irish standard., 1914-11-28

| Ill TURN declared Cnelr unTrlenQllneS
toward our government. 1t is eviden
that anarchists can only flourish wher
anarchy prevails, that rebellion pros
pers where citizens are rebellious. N
man can take the role of an adventure
without first deciding what element
are likely to oppose him. Bearing il
mind these general reflections will
evidence not from Catholic source
alone, but from the general sources o
information, opened to the public, tn
one great institution or organization
in Mexico which is based upol
authority and devoted to law and or
der, is the Catholic church and tn,
Catholic teaching organizations il
Mexico. Naturally, then, the first oh
ject of attack of those who seek self
promotion, must be the Catholic churcl
through the Catholic priests, sisters
schools, colleges. One may easily
imagine how rebellion could wei
succeed in Mexico were obedience tt
Catholic authority removed from the
scene. 1t would be impossible to pic
ture the scenes of desolatiOn and de
struction that would mar the unhappy
country-if, by some magic power, the
Catholic church were instantly re-
moved from Mexico, it's influence over
of oft ,r,it Il nd
unhappy people left to practice the arts
of rebellion and revolution and left to
themselves either to establish law and
order or perish, each at the hands of
the other. 1t is plain then that the
mission of the Catholic church in Mex
leo is opposed to those who foster revo-
luton and aspire to political leader
ship at the expense of the country and
the interest of their neighbors. That
the Catholic church, priests and Sis
tiers are being prosecuted in Mexico, is
the highest compliment that can be
paid to her holy purpose in that trou-
bled land. Though many have fled and
others died for the faith in Mexico, the
blood that flowed in their veins is none
the less fervid and their zeal no less
their glory no less deserving,
than the Catholic missioner every
where who has unfurled the flag of
Christ and raised the cross of redemp-
tion in the midst of any people where
souls are to be saved. Friends and
enemies have their likes and dislikes
strongly marked in Mexico, the bust
ness OF one is unquestionably to op-
pose the interest of the other. The I'M
happy fate of those who have given up
their lives for the cause of the church
in Mexico or those who were forced
to flee and seek refuge beyond the
borders Of the troubled land, have de-
served their reward from Him who
the value of faith and sacri-
lice. But it is to be seriously doubted
that, even the ends of vengeance, which
is an improper thing to ask for. or
the ends of faith and justice will be
served by general and indiscriminate
Of parties or creeds
Disorder can not be placed upon a
permanent basis, no manner of social
disturbance has ever become perma-
nent modus operandi. The elements
which breed disorder, produce no per-
manent results for themselves. Why,
then, should we make matters more
difficult for ourselves by saying or do
ing those things in an abnormal state
of mind which we can not explain
when matters begin to adjust them.
Would any one argue that the
church is the less glorious because the
blood Of her martyrs has enriched and
AnMobled the soil where later her lead
ers, her churches, priests, and sisters
found permanent and pious abode?
Those who died in Mexico were not
afraid either Of the foe or the fate
that awaited them. Sad. indeed, that
in this enlightened age, Christianity
should find her foes dealing in the
satde methods of violence and oppose
her with the same arguments that were
used against the early Christians and
which have confronted the missioners
in every land and the organizers of
society among every people. Catholic
blood knows how to flow, noble Cath
Ollie life is q high price to pay for a
principle, but not too high if the prin-
cipie he worthy Was it not a Cath
Ole, Daniel Hagerty, who first fell at
Vera Cruz, and thus dedicated the
United States to the cause of restoring
peace in Mexico. There is no record
that he died complaining and NO one
will defame his memory by saying that
he did not give up his life willingly OF
that the cause was not worthy. Is
there not basis here for an agreement
that those Who dedicated themselves
to the rause Of the church in Mexico
accepted the chances it brought with
1t and the attendant consequences
Disconsolate We may become and
grieved we may be over the loss OF
Catholic priests and the Catholic nuns
They stayed by their focks and theil
charges while it seemed advisable tt
do so. War is a gruesome fact. Its