The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-10-09

one of a number of correspondents
who contributed to the Catholic Edu.
cational number of the New York Sun,
recently published by that paper.
The Importance which the public
has attached to the Catholic position
on education may we'll be understood
when a paper like the New York Sun
will devote special issue to the sub
ject. The following article from the
pen of Cardinal Gibbons appeared in
the special issue:
II hold that religion is the only
solid basis of society. If the social
edifice rests not on this eternal and
immutable foundation it will soon
crumble to pieces. 1t would be as
vain to establish society without re-
ligion as to erect a palace in the air
or ON shifting sands or to hope to
reap a crop from seed scattered on
the oceans surface. Religion is to
society what cement is to the build
ing; it makes all parts compact and
coherent. He who destroys re-
ligion,' says Plato, 'overthrows the
foundations of human society,"
Religion is the bond that unites
man with his Creator. 1t is virtue
by which due honor and worship are
paid to God. It embraces all those
fundamental truths that involve Gods
sovereignty over us and our entire de-
pendence on Him. employ religion
here in its broadcast and most compre-
hensive sense as embodying the exist
ence of God, His infinite power and
knowledge. His providence over US,
the recognition of divine law, the
moral freedom and responsibility of
man, the distinction between good and
evil, the duty of rendering our homage
to God and justice and charity to our
neighbor and finally the existence of
a future state of rewards and punish
ments.
"This implies a moral training, so
that when l speak of the necessity of
religion for good citizenship l have
in mind too the moral training which
true religion imparts.
THE social body is composed of in
dividuals who have constant relations
with one another; and the very life
and preservation of society demand
that the members of the community
discharge toward one another various
and complex duties.
What is needed for good citizenship?
What does society require of your rul-
ers and magistrates? What does it
require of you? 1t demands of your
rulers that they dispense justice with
an even hand. 1t demands of you that
you be loyal to your country, Jealous
in her defense, faithful in the observ.
ance of her laws, conscientious in the
payment of imposts and taxes for her
maintenance and support. 1t demands
that you be scrupulous in observing
your oaths and vows, just in the full
fillment of your contracts and obliga
tions, honest in your dealings and
truthful in your promises. It demands
that you honor and respect your law
full superiors and that you be courte
GUS to your equals, condescending tc
your interiors, faithful to your friends
magnanimous to your enemies and
merciful to the poor and the op
pressed. 1t demands of the married
couple conjugal fidelity, of parents
provident vigilance, of children fila
love. In a word, it demands that you
render to all men their dues, tribute
to whom tribute is due, custom tc
whom custom, fear to whom fear, hon
or to whom honor; and that you rem
der to Caesar the things that are
Caesars and to God the things that
are Gods
How can these virtues be practiced
without sufficient motives? These mo-
tives must be strong and powerful. be
cause you have passions and self-in
terest to overcome. They must be uni
versal, because they are binding on all
members of society. They must be
permanent, because they apply to all
times and places.
What motives, religion apart, are
forcible enough to compel legislators
rulers and magistrates to be equita
BILE and impartial in their decisions?
What guarantee have we that they
will not be biased by prejudice and
self-interest? Will thirst for fame
and q desire for public appreciation
prove sufficient incentive for them
to do right? How often has not this
very love Of glory and esteem impelled
them to trample on the rights and lib.
critics of the many in order to win the
appreciation of a few sycophants, just
as Roboam oppressed his subjects that
he might be admired and praised by
his young courtiers. and as Alexander
enslaved nations to receive the ap.
plause of the tickle Athenians.
What principles without religion
are binding enough to exact of you
that obedience which you owe to so.
ciety and to the laws of your country?
| Is It the dread of civil nunishmentq