The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-08-07
Continued from page IL
EDUCATING FOR CITIZENSHIP.


countries and an inspiration to other
peoples to pursue with strong hearts
and clean hands the lofty ideals
which make men free.
Law, order and Justice are essen
tial; the welfare of the people is the
supreme consideration; the highest
function of the state is to see to it
that, while. none shall be wronged,
all shall be free in the pursuit of hap
piness and the highest good.
TO be a fitting instrument for the
performance of the functions within
the scope of it's duty, the state must
be powerful, weH-ordered and alert
that those to whom it owes protec-
tion, each for himself in his own
sphere, may have free and we'll
guarded right and opportunity to seek
truth, to enlighten and freely to fol
low his own conception of right and
wrong, and, so long as no injury
comes through him, to others, to pur-
sue his own course, to be master of
his own affairs and to live his own
life
Happily with us, the governed are
also the rulers, and theirs is the right
to have the kind and form of govern
ment deemed to be suitable to chang
ing needs and conditions. Citizens
of this republic, having more power
than those who are the subjects of
any other country, owe a higher duty
to the state, because the form of
government, the character of it's laws
and the quality of it's justice depend
upon their intelligence and morality.
| Of the utmost concern to our country,
therefore, is the quality of its people.
A venal electorate will not choose
wise lawmakers or just judges. If the
source be foul, the stream will not be
clean.
Hence, the influence of the teach
ings of religion and morality upon the
ideals and practice of civic duty is of
great Importance.
Learning alone is not enough. The
educated man whose character is not
sound, whose conscience is not we'll
instructed and whose conduct is not
guided by religion or morality. is a
danger to the estate and his fellow
men, Selfishness will be the ruling
motive of his life and he is liable to
fail in any crisis calling for. self
sacrificing patriotism or altruism.
Religion teaches the universal
brotherhood of men; that their vel
fare and salvation are the highest
concerns of earth; that the state
exists as the instrument of all to pro-
tect and serve her people, and not
for its own ACKNOWLEDGMENT at their
expense. In other countries the
rights of the people are regarded as
concessions graciously made by the
state. Here the rights of government
come from the people.
While the functions of the state
are to be exercised Independently OF
religious control, and while the prac-
tice of religion is free from the con.
troll of the state, all recognize that
the very foundation of our govern.
ment rests upon the character and
morality of the people. Conscience
is free, but if it be not guided by the
eternal laws of righteousness, duty
will not be fulfilled to country or to
Efellowmen.
The influences of religion make
deep and lasting impression in the
early years of life; by religion
standards of morality are fixed, and
without it, the grounds upon which
rest a proper sense of justice and
fidelity will be uncertain and inse-
cure. In the days of peace, prosperity
and cohtentment it is easy to be
steadfast in allegiance to country
but in the great crises, character is
put to the test, and, if expediency
rules in the place of right, sooner or
later failure will come
The Same Work Is Carried On BY
/ Catholic Schools.
The Catholic Church holds that re
lligion cannot be separated from
morality, that morals rest upon, re-
ligion and that without it character
| will not be secure as against the
attacks of selfishness and passion;
that there ought to be religious in
struction in the schools, and accord.
ingly, her parish schools, academies,
colleges, professional schools and uni.
yersities are lovingly maintained and
supported, that by the purity of her
teachings men may learn to serve
God and country.
Thus it is that all Christians ip
this country recognize the need of
religion in the school life of the peo-
pie. Separated are church and state.
The functions of each are separate
from those of the other, and each is
supreme in its own sphere.
Are There Any Present PeriIs Of
Country
answer this question afirma.
lively.
| Hopelessness or pessimism is not
to be inferred from the observation
and enumeration of the things which
impair or threaten the general vel
fare. So long as the ideals and vigor
lof the past are cherished and re-
tanned, there need be no fear for the
Nations safety. In every crisis the