Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1914-10-03
Bishop Schrembs Denounces At
titude of Secretary of
State.
Immense Parade Tuesday Re-
viewed by Cardinal and
Many Bishops.
TRIBUTE TO CARDINAL GIBBONS

unity OF action 10 accomplish Jne
purposes and aims of the organiza-
ton was the watch word at all of the
gatherings held during the first day
of the thirteenth annual convention
of the American Federation of
Catholic Societies at Baltimore The
principal event was the opening of
Pontifical mass at the Cathedral.
Bishop Owen B. Corrigan was the
celebrant of this mass, and Cardinal
Gibbons, visiting Bishops, Mon
signori and priests, as well as many
seminarians and acolytes, we're in the
sanctuary. Bishop Joseph Schrembs,
of Toledo, created a stir in the
crowded edifice when, in the course
of his sermon he denounced in un-
sparing terms the attitude of Secre-
tary of State Bryan toward condi-
tions in Mexico, and the alleged
failure of Bryan to put into practice
those principles he has so often out
lined in brilliant rhetoric.
Bishop Schrembs began his ser
mon with a warm tribute to Cardinal
Gibbons and to Baltimore, which he
styled the cradle of the Catholic
church in America. Gradually he
led up to his point. I'VE must get
away from petty selfishness." he
said. I'VE must get away from the
narrow parochial bonds; we must
even loose sight of diocesan de-
marcation. Our endeavors and our
spirit must be as broad as that
charity dispensed to us by our
Maker. We read in the papers today
of some great wrongs being suffered
by peoples of other lands. We re-
mark how sorry we are for them
and then pass on to the next item of
news. To show you what organized
effort can do" continued the
Bishop, 81 will give an illustration.
About year ago Jew, in far-away
Russia, was accused of. ritual mur-
der'-that is, he was charged with
taking the life of a Christian child
that he might use the blood in a
religious ceremony. When this
charge was laid, the poor Jew found
a Government only too ready to give
credence to the charge. II was
foreordained he should suffer the
penalty of death. Then, what a
righteous indignation stirred the
world! What storm of protest!
Men of all faiths and men of no
faith we're appealed to by members
of the Jewish faith the world over.
II was their sense of justice and
fairness that was appealed to. And
the cry was heard. That solitary
Jew was released, and the blot of
ritual murder wiped from the
escutcheon of the Jewish race.
Let me pursue this illustration
further. In Mexico, not one man, but
thousands upon thousands of men
and women have been outraged in
their sacred religious convictions.
Churches have been closed and de-
stroyed. Priests and other relig-
ious have been exiled, tortured and
in some instances brutally MUIR
dered- Nuns, devoted women who
have sacrificed their lives in the
service of their fellow creatures,
have been taken from their cloisters
and handed over for what is worse
than death-to the shameful lust of
a brutal soldiery.
Where are those other powers
who stand sponsor for those in
authority in Mexico to-day. Who
prevent other nations from coming
in, yet do nothing themselves? ?'1
Then II was that Bishop Schrembs
made his reference to BRYAN and
the Cross Of Gold speech, when he
exclaimed "a political genius. now
In authority in the direction OF the
affairs of our country, cried out
several years ago, in a moment of
political exultation: You shall not
press down the crown of thorns
upon the brow of labor; you shall
not cruelty mankind upon the cross
of goldl" When that speech was
uttered | applauded and remarked:
Well done But, in this day, am
tempted to say to the political
genius: Here indeed is a splendid
field for translating rhetoric into
action The Federation OF Catholic
Societies should become fully con-
scious OF its duty to aid the down
trodden. To promote justice and 10
give protection to the outraged"
After the mass Cardinal Gibbons
delivered the Papal blessing to the
delegates after making a few re-
marks. In which he praised Bishop
Schrembs for his address and well
coined the visitors TO Baltimore.
In the afternoon a session OF the
Social Service Commission was held
with Bishop Muldoon presiding,
when reports showing the growth of
the social service work were read.
Bishop Donahue preached at the
vespers at night. and after the mass
for deceased members the eonven-
ton was formally opened Monday
morning. Tuesday night the feature
was the grand concert OF 5000
voices. and on Tuesday the monster
oarade was held. passing In review
before Cardinal Gibbons and many
Bishops, the Governor, Mayor and