Evening journal., 1916-08-21
Declare CATHOLIC
CHURCH IS LOYAL
PrelateS of Baltimore and
Boston Emphasize Bless
ingS of Americans
THREE CARDINALS
IN SANCTUARY

gate TO the Onlted states, bne papai
Nuncio to Brazil, scores of bishops ana
other dignitaries, several hundred
priests and thousands of laymen par
ticipated here yesterday in the celebia-
ton of a solemn pontiiical high mass at
st. Patrick's Cathedral. The occasion
was the formal opening of the fifteenth
annual convention of the American Fed !
Grafton of Catholic Societies and theI
sixty-frst annual convention of the Nail
tional Federation of German Catholics
Seldom in the history of the church
has there been so notable a gathering oil
ecclesiastics. IL was estimated that
more than 5000 persons crowded intol
the Cathedral while twice as many
more congregatcd outside to view the
procession which preceded the mass.
At the opening of the ceremonies
Mgr Michael J. Lavelle, rector of the
Cathedral, read message from Cardi
nal Gasparri, papel secretary Of state,
in which he said:
"The Holy Father will watch with al
loving and paternal eye the Federation
of Catholic Societies of the United
States holding its annual convention inI
New York. He sends earnest wishes
that its friendly discussions shall ac-
complish much for the welfare and honor
of the Catholic name in your favored
land. And, while hoping for the most
consoling results from your concord, ac-
tivity and wisdom, he grants most
heartily the apostolic benediction to
the federation and to all who take part
in it."
American and Papal flags we're hung
above the Cathedral entrance, with
great streamers of yellow and white,
the papal colors, suspended from each
arch inside. High above all the deco
rations hung the red hat of the late
Cardinal McCloskey, suspended from the
arched ceiling over the chancei.
Three temporary canopied thrones
we're erected within the chancel for
Cardinals Gibbons and O'Connell and
Archbishop Bonzano. Papal delegate
to the United States Cardinal Farley
who sang the mass. occupied the per
manent throne within the chancel.
Blessings of America Recognized.
The blessings OF political, religious
and personal liberty enjoyed under
the Government OF the United States
were impressively emphasized last
night at the opening session in Madi-
son Square Garden Of the Federation
by Cardinals Gibbons, of Baltimore.
and O'Connell, of Boston. The latter
also took occasion to defend Catholics
against the charge OF a divided allie
glance, while both prelates praised
the loyalty and patriotism Of Catho-
lies. Cardinal Gibbons said in part:
"You live in a republic where there
is liberty without license, and author
ty without despotism. and where the
civil rulers hold over you the aegis
Of its protection without interfering
with the God-given rights OF consci-
ence.
I'm view Of the signal blessings you
enjoy, it is your duty to take an
active. personal. vital interest in the
welfare of your country. You should
glory in her prosperity, and be con-
cerned at every adversely that may
befall her. You should hold up the
arms Of those who are charged with
the administration of public affairs,
as the children of Isreal help up the
hands of Moses while he interceded
with them before the Lord.
Loyalty EniOined By Bible.
THE inspired word of God enjoins
this loyalty to country, and reverence
for its fulers. This religion you pro-
fess demands this fealty. The consti-
tutions of your respective societies up
hold it; and l am sure that there is
not a single fibre of your heart which
does not pulsate with a genuine, undi.
vided love for the republic and its sa-
cred traditions.
Il venture to say that every mem
Der of your society is a loyal citizen.
Every citizen a patriot; every pa
triot soldier; every soldier a hero
and every hero would be martyr, TO
die if need be for his country.
There are some pessimistic
prophets who are in the habit of pre-
dieting the downfall of our republic
They are more frequently heard on the
eve of a Presidential election. I have
been listening to these dire forebod-
ings for over so years, but on the
morning after election we find the
prophets sounded a false alarm, that
the country is safe and that the Gov
eminent is transacting business at the
same old stand.
Has Abiding Faith In Republic.
For my part, have an abiding faitl
In the endurance of the republic.
might base my hope on the intelli-
gence and patriotism of the American
people / might base my confidence
on the wisdom of our statesmen anc
the heroism of our soldiers. l might
place my reliance on our standing
armies and dreadnaughts. And surely
there are all elements of strength tC
be reckoned with.
But, my friends, If the republic II
to endure il must rest on the eterna
principles of truth and justice anC
righteousness and downright honest,
in our relations with foreign nations
II must rely in our firm belief in an
everything Providence who created al
things by His power, governs al
things by His wisdom and who con
trolls the affairs of nations as well
of man.
Il have lived for many years, ant
the older l grow the more / am con
WINGED that a supreme power inter
venes in the affairs OF mankind. Fo
if a sparrow does not fall to tn
ground without His consent how cal
we hope that an empire will rise with
out His cooperation?
This is the spirit that has marke'
the history OF our nation from Wash
ington TO Wilson. II is gratifyin
fact that all our Presidents from frs
to last have never failed to recogniz