The Irish standard., 1917-05-05
Conventions
Are not TO
BECALLED OFF
Objects of League Are Religious and
Social, for Common Good
of Country.

Realizing that thoughtless and over
hasty Americans would look upon pub
lie gatherings of German.Americans
during the present earnest time with
suspicion, various members of Cath
Ole organizations have questioned the
wisdom of holding the conventions of
| the German Catholic State Leagues,
which convene annually in May and
in June in various parts of the coun-
try. The view that these conventions
should be postponed is not shared by
the officers of several State Leagues
and of the Central-Verein, the ma
tlonal organization of German Ameri-
can Catholics. In a letter issued to
the State organizations, Mr.. Joseph
Frey, X. S. G., President of the Cen
tral-Verein, sets forth the position
which the State Leagues should as
sumo. Mr.. Freys letter, issued as a
| reply to numerous inquiries from all
parts of the country, is as follows:
In reply to your inquiry whether
it is advisable this year to postpone
| the conventions of our State Leagues,
owing to the state of war, permit me
to say that after mature deliberation
| must answer your question in the
negative. Our aims and objects are
OF a religious character and are de-
signed to solidify and strengthen the
faith of our people, and to bring about
betterment of the social condition of
the people at large.
THE fact that we employ our moth
er tongue in, seeking to accomplish
our objects among the people of our
race and faith, cannot be taken amiss
by any fair-minded fellow-citizens. We
feel ourselves one with all citizens of
our common country, and regard it a
patriotic duty in these critical times
to further develop our organized effl-
cheney in order that our work may
continue to be fruitfully constructive
and thus enable us to contribute to
the welfare of the common good. Our
State and National conventions serve
to instruct and enlighten our people,
and should be held under all circum-
stances. To postpone them could be
regarded as an acknowledgment of
weakness, and might be construed by
some as indicating that we did not al
ways seek to promote the best inter-
ests of our country Permit me to re.
mind you of the words which His Elk
cellency, the Apostolic Delegate. Msgr.
Bonzano, addressed to us on the occa-
sion of the great mass meeting at
Cooper Union last summer. Sunday
night Msgr. Bonzano said, I heard
many distinguished speaker insisting
and proclaiming your loyalty to the
United States and its flag. don't
think it is necessary for you to. have
said, or to say, anything of the kind
When they ask you about your loyalty
and patriotism you simply answer: Il
am Catholic and according to my
gospel and doctrine must respect and
love my flag and my country"
I'm planning your convention,
would suggest that parades and other
public festivities be dispensed with,
and that everything tending to give
offense be avoided in addresses and
resolutions. Let us go forward, trust.
ing in Cod and conduct the meetings
with patriotic determination, so that
our fruitful work may be further ex-
tended for the welfare of the nation
and to the glory of Holy Mother
Church.
with best wishes for success, re-
main,
Respectfully yours,
JOSEPH FREY,
"President Central-Verein."