The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-11-04
RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP COR.
RETT POINTS OUT THE HAIR
MoNY EXISTING BETWEEN THE
TWo--A TRUE CATHOLIC Is
NATURALLY A GENUINE PA.
TRIoT.
(communicated.)


In an address delivered recently by
Right Reverend Bishop Corbett, of
Crookston, at the dedication of st.
AIMS Hall in that city, we find some
telling points about true patriotism.
Below is synopsis of the Bishops
discourse:
The Catholic Church is at home
with every nation. Indifferent to and
in sympathy with any form Of legiti-,
peace and harmony with all nationali-
ties. American history cannot truth
fully record the Church of Rome as
a stranger on the American shore.
Columbus raised the standard of the
cross Of Christ, the genuine emblem
of Christianity and, therefore, of
Catholicity, on the American soil, on
which also the first real act of Wor-
ship TO the true and living God was
offered up, the Catholic Mass. The
first Christian hymn, moreover, that
enchanted the waters Of the new
world, was the Hail Holy Queen, in
honor of the Virgin Mother of God.
Twelve missionary priests, eager to
sacrifice their lives for the CONVEX
sion of America, accompanied Column
bus on his second voyage. The
Catholic Church has patiently i'm
painted the names of her devoted sons
and intrepid discoveries on our cities,
lakes and rivers. The Churchs mon
uments in America evidently bespeak
magnificence of workmanship, art and
architecture.
Catholic Worth in the United States.
From the ever renowned and glOri-
Gus Declaration of independence
down to the present hour, Catholics
have appeared and do appear most
prominently in every honest work for
the promotion of the material, intel
lectual. and especially moral and re-
lfgious welfare of the country. Cath
olics have done the best share in till
ing the soil, building railroads, dig
ging canals, opening high ways, and
constructing cities. Catholics can be
|creditably styled the bone and sinew
of the land.
Catholic blood flows in the veins of
foremost American educators, of pro-
found scholars, of eminent orators, Of
celebrated jurists, OF skillful artists,
of famous architects, scientists, au
thors, governors, judges, mayors,
statesmen and Legislators, who bestow
coveted honor and prestige on their
own beloved America.
Catholics, Champions of American
Freedom.
In the worldwide admired war for
American independence from the
thraldom of England, Catholics played
most active and prominent roles. No
honest American will ever consign to
oblivion the wonderful valor of a
General Lafayette on land, nor the
renowned skill of a Commodore John
Barry on water, justly entitled the
father of the American navy The
illustrious Archbishop Carroll of
Baltimore, the first Bishop in the
United States and an intimate friend
of the great Franklin, sought as a
priest, in his ardent patriotism, to
interest Canada in the revolutionary
cause.
Fully one-half the soldiers in the
war Of independence were Catholics
and over half million of dollars did
Catholics contribute for the success
of the American arms. Catholic ma
lions demonstrated their heartfelt
sympathy in behalf of our struggle,
by dispatehing across the ocean able
generals and soldiers. At the most
critical moment of our national eX-
istence, Germany sent Baron de
Kalb, Poland a Polaski, and ireland
multitude Of men who were ready
to fight, bleed and die for our national
| liberty. The historical fact cannot be
gainsaid that the day of our national
birth would never have dawned but
| for Catholic France, which declared
war against England and hurried to
our shores soldiers, arms, and five
| fleets. To their we'll merited credit be
it said that the French Clergy lent
TO the king the sum of six millions
| for the prosecution of the war. The
| king of Spain joined America for our
| national liberty Catholics signed the
Declaration of Independence, the
| wealthiest Of whom was the distin-
guished Catholic layman, Charles
| Carroll, who also donated part of
the property on which stands the
national capitol in Washington.
Ranting fanatics should know the
honorable line of Catholic officers,
who so successfully commanded the
army in the civil war: Sherman. a
Shields, terminating with the famous
General Sheridan. Let them remem-
Der the enormous multitude of Catho-
lie soldiers who swelled the ranks of
the army under the command of Gen
| eral Grant. These facts constitute
indisputable proofs that there is no
need of forfeiture of patriotism in be-
coming and remaining Catholic, and
that Catholicity is not incompatible
with the Republican form of govern
ment. George Washington. the foun-
der of the Republic, recognized, more
over, Catholic worth in famous
| speech. and sincerely hoped that the
coming generations would not forget
the services rendered by Catholics to
1 the country