The Irish standard., 1917-07-21
conception of democracy practicable has it's mta-
lions in the immutable laws of justice and morality

democracy
lions in the immuabe laws of justice and morality.
Democracy is not end 1t is method of government
Without virtue and intelligence democracy will make
more fatal failure of government than auocracy The
only foundation OF virtue is religion and without the
strant of religion people become the greatest of all
yrants This fact outstands in the face of history The
spirit of INSTRUMENTATION and disorder that
democracy is opposed to all fixed rules all perma
nent order. Without fixed rule and order there is
guarantee of liberty there be solid good in the
State The natural rights of the individual
from the tyranny of popular majority from auto
crazy Government by within and caprice is not democ
racy Though God is the Supreme Autocrat of the uni
the people dethrone Him and abrogate His
moral laws The laws Of morality enacted by
the people and they cannot be repealed by
tive assembly by the initiative and referendum.
Democracy vests it's ultimate sovereignty in govern
ment in the people and vests in them the right to do
litcally what they will But they have right to will
what is morally wrong That wrong and injustice can
exist under that claim be democratic may
be witnessed by the conditions of the Church in France
Mexico and Portugal, nomnay republics, and Italy,
where democracy under the form of limited monarchy
The Church is society which derives its rights and
authority and those of her ministers directly from God
and not from the State She has been long established in
these countries Her ministers have been the most loyal
most moral most lawabidng and Industrious citizens
They have done for the veal than other
class The Church has acquired property in these
tries to which she has legal title These property rights
were honestly acquired is not always the of
critics held by certain protected societies and individuals
Some of these properties held by the Church long
ages and paid for times in her service to the
public. Yet have her despoed of her property
rights in defiance of the fundamental laws of the constu
tiona of those countries without pretense of
public necessity compensation.
Although the oldest society in the State the Church has
been denied the ordinary rights of civic society She
has been denied the ordinary rights awarded civic
society," She has been denied the right that other societies
Ike her
members and to- enforce them in that does
conflict with the laws of the State rights
members Bishops and have been denied the
rights of ordinary citizens. The right hold property
to receive such by gift and Inheritance dispose it,
has been taken from them They have not been allowed
to pursue happiness like other citizens in their
ty common life in monastery which they, members
of their order, built and paid for They have not only
been robbed of the fruits of their labor forbidden
to labor. Their personal liberty infringed on
by prohibiting them from wearing dress indicative of their
calling while other citizen right to as
he wills, provided he does offend against
Bishops and priests have unjusty imprisoned
expatriated from their fatherand.
There wrongs which are today being perpetrated
under democratic governments and those guilty of the
wrong claim to act in the of democracy. These
contrary to the very spirit democracy and
violate the inaienable right to fe liberty and the pur
suit of happiness The autocra will cite these wrongs
proof of the failure of democracy that the people
be entrusted with government We know these wrongs,
though existing under democracy the expression
of popular WILL but the work of faction
In the OF true democracy, this faction should be
deposed 1t should be shom of the powers it has faudu
lently obtained and tyranncally used
The majority of the people France, Mexico Portugal
and Italy Catholics If they as We'll
loyal Catholics they fail that persecution
of the Church in their democracy President
Wilson say that this is being waged Ito the
world safe for democracy If successful can the rights
OF the Church be overlooked in the discussion peace
fornc ho oofo
chafe under plan which will permit the persecution of
the Church, the majority of whose members live under
democratic institutions which been the leader and
preserver of modern civilization Democracy be safe
only when the people in their political capacity do the
will of God and observe His Democracy is said to
be trial in this When the is over democracy
will have greater trial.