The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-07-28
Catholic Matters Educational

the brayest of our youth across the
sea to battle and to die. And Tor.
what? That all the world may win
its liberty, that the peoples OF the
earth may breathe the air of freedom
and let its blessed spirit pass upon
their Children holy heritage for
future generations.
But what shall guarantee the preser-
walton of this priceless boon? Wat
strong defense shall make it sure
against all craft and violence?
Let history give answer. Whatever
deadens in mans soul the sense OF
moral obligation, is libertys worst
enemy Where moral slavery exists,
with bonds of evil passion, OF selfish
ness and greed, the very name or
| freedom is mockery. The independ-
ence of a nation is foredoomed, when
vice has spread among the people.
| Virtue alone, virtue in public lie ana
| private relations, the virtue OF the
individual heart and conscience, can
make people free, and with their
freedom give the warrant OF security.
| But virtue is no fimsy raiment that
can be fashioned and put on to suit
| the passing need. 1t grows within the
| soul by processes that last for years.
| by patient training and the ever
watchfui care of those who manifest
it's beauty on their person and their
| deeds. Even more than knowledge,
it requires an education. And this IS
why xthe Catholic school not only tells
the child what freedom is, but also
cultivates in him the qualities that
make him worthy Of his freedom.
First among these requisites we
rank the virtue of obedience. AS law
is the safeguard of freedom, SO is the
observance of law the test when
shows how far a nation loves Its
liberties, how far it holds as sacred
the pledges which it gives to other
nations and how far it is justified III
setting forth its own free institutions
i as models for the world at large
What profits it to heap up legislation
unless the spirit of obedience supper,
the letter of the law? What sanction
can give meaning to a statute II the
people fail to recognize in 1t denim
ton of their duty? And if respect fol
all legitimate authority be not deeply
fixed and settled in the conscience O.
the nation, what influence shall mari
the line that. separates true llbert.
from anarchy?
n
; Ways-in time of peace and natlona
prosperity as we'll as in the presen
crisis and its peril But how impera
lively they demand an answer whel
, our very safety lies in organizing GU
+ resources, when each citizen is sum
moned from the pleasant ways Q
I peace to do his share of service! l
, | it not clear today that discipline ha
. become an absolute necessity, the frs
essential in the struggle If our cour
. try is to triumph? And disciplin
o means order, and order means author
: ity: and service means obedienc
+ without demur or hesitation.
e Now the. spirit of discipline is tn
f animating clement of our Catholi
). school. The spirit, l say; fo
e discipline is more than mere col
S formity to rule and regulation, NOR
e than timorous submission to tn
f power that commands or imposes it
Il restraint. Discipline is of the hear
e hearty-with upright motives, with
n vision of duty that is steadfast an
G | clear, that looks beyond the pettines
n of personal gain to discern the large
/ good, and so discerning sees that
e it's truest, deepest meaning, disciplin
d is sacrifice, victory the final fruit
e triumph over self.