Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-20
CATHOLICS STAND
BY THE NATION
Archbishops Pledge Loyalty of
People and Endorse the
Country's Stand

Baltimore, April 20. - The arch
bishops of the United States have ad-
dressed letter to President Wilson
pledging the loyalty or the Catholic
hierarchy, the clergy and people of
that faith in this country to the Presi-
dent and the government and accept
ing whole heartedly and unreserved-
ly" the decree of Congress- proclaim
ing this country to be in q state of
war"
The letter, which was adopted by
the archbishops at their annual meet
ing in the Catholic University at
Washington, is signed by all the arch
bishops who were present, eight in
number, the remaining six being un-
avoidably absent. 1t was sent to
the President to-day by Cardinal Glib
bons, chairman of the meeting.
I'VE stand ready" the preiates
unite in saying, I'VE and all the flock
committed TO cur keeping, to cooper
ate in every way possible with our
President and our national govern
ment to the end that the great and
holy cause of liberty may triumph and
that our beloved country may emerge
from this hour of test stronger and
nobler than ever"
Rcaflrm Sincere Loyalty
The letter follows:
Mr.. President:
Standing firmly upon our solid
Catholic tradition and history from
the very foundation of this nation, we
reatfirm in this hour of stress and trial
our most sacred and sincere loyalty
and patriotism toward our country,
our government and our flag.
Moved to the very depths of our
hearts by the stirring appeal of the
President of the United States and by
the action of our national Congress,
we accept whole heartedly and unre-
servedly the decree or that legislative
authority proclaiming this country to
be in state of war.
I'VE have prayed that we might be
spared the dire necessity of entering
the conflict. But now that war has
been declared we bow in obedience to
the summons to bear our part in it,
with fidelity with courage and with
the spirit of sacrifice, which as loyal
citizens we are bound to manifest for
the defense of the most sacred rights
and the welfare oil the whole nation.
Acknowledging gladly the graft
tude we have always felt for the pro-
lection of our spiritual liberty and
the freedom of our Catholic institu-
JlOllS uIlueI INC nag, we pltuSG our ue-
Votion and our strength in the main
tenance of our country's glorious
leadership in those possessions and
principles which have been America S
proudest boast.
Inspired neither by hate nor fear,
but by the holy sentiments of truest
patriotic fervor and zeal, we stand
ready, we and all the flock committed
to our keeping, to cooperate in every
way possible with our president and
our national government, to the end
that the great and holy cause of lib
erty may triumph, and that our be-
loved country may emerge from this
hour of test stronger and nobler than
ever.
Catholics as One For Nation
"Our people now, as ever, will rise
as one man to serve the nation. Our
priests and consecrated women will
once again as IN every FORMER trial of
our country, win, by their bravery,
their heroism and their service, new
admiration and approval.
I'VE are all true americans, ready
as our age, our ability and our condi-
ton permit, to do whatever is in us to
do, for the preservation, the progress
and the triumph of our beloved coun-
try.
May God direct and guide our
President and our government that out
of this trying crisis in our national
life may at length come q closer union
among all the citizens of America, and
that an enduring and blessed peace
may crown the sacrifices which war
inevitably entails