The Irish standard., 1917-08-04


with clean hands. The basic reason
for the war cannot be found in Euro
pean politics. Each nation has tried
to shift the blame, just as each tries
to assure the world that they are fight
ing in self defense. While politics and
commerce may be the surface explana-
tion it is our firm belief that the war
of Europe. The life of nations may
be compared to that of individuals. Ma
tues and are often guilty of heinous
crimes. Their virtues are rewarded
and their crimes punished in this
world, for nations exist only in time
and unlike the souls of men are not
immortal.
England which once gloried in her
Catholic faith accepted state Gre
ated church in place of the one found
ed by Christ. She has shed the blood
of saints and builded an empire on
the ruins of weaker nations. Her
pride of insular security and dominion
of the sea has been broken by the
Zeppelin and U-Boat. Germany owes
her civilization to the Catholic Church.
Yet scarcely had the Germans emerged
from barbarism when German rulers
introduced heresy into the Church.
Modern paganism and infidelity had
its birth in Germany. Germany is
proud of her material efficiency and
boasted that her 'Kultur" would rule
the world. Her efficiency has proven
Intellectual and her boasting is vain.
France is the eldest daughter of the
Church and Frenchmen are the sons
of the Crusaders. The crimes of the
French government against God and
His Church are Of today. Though the
French are Catholics to the hearts
core, official France refuses to &C
knowledge even the existence of God.
France has been bled white. Millions
of French widows and orphans are on
their knees in the churches from
which the French government attempt
ed to Danish God. The restoration of
the lost provinces will not compensate
France for the ravages of some of
the fairest parts of that beautiful coun-
try.
Austria kept the faith but Josephin-
ism, which seeks to make the State
supreme over the Church, has always
had an influence in the politics of
Austria Hungary It is quite probable
that the end of the war will see the
disintergration of the Hapsburg EN-.
pire. Russian autocracy prosecuted
the Church. The autocracy has been
destroyed and with it the dream Of
the Russian Constantinople. The Ital-
ian Government has despoiled the
Church, robbed her Head of his pat
rimony and with cynical Indifference
reviled and insulted in his own cap
ital. Italy is bankrupt and historians
will record with merited contempt the
treachery of the Italian Government
to its former allies.
Our own country has entered the
war and we naturally ask if, she, too
is to be punished. While the people
of the United States may be individ-
ually guilty of many sins the Govern
ment can face the Christian world
without blush of shame. From the
moment of it's organization our Gov
ernment has never officially persecut-
ed or been unjust to the Catholic
Church. There have been outbursts of
bigotry and intolerance on several not
able occasions These were local and
spasmodic and only temporary in char
acter. No political party of conse-
quence has ever opposed the Church
or it's work as a principle. No organ
lied movement against the Church has
been lasting and no man has attained
great distinction or honor in govern
ment as anti Catholic. None of our
Presidents have been bigotss and Con-
gress has never been controlled by
bigotry. Our Government has never
been swayed by infidel principles. On
the contrary, the fundamental princi-
pies of Christianity are recognized in
all our laws and institutions. The
name of God is known and religion is
respected. The professed infidel or
atheist is regarded with suspicion.
Having no State Church, tolerating all
religions, the American people still
trusts in God. God has blessed our
country in many ways and His great
est blessing has been the marvellous
growth of the Catholic Church in this
land.