The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-01-18
TIRED OF LIFE"

Human beings, at times, become
tired of living; others grow tired
Of Life This particular cause of
ennui is a weekly publication that
endeavors to inject humor into the
great game Of earthly existence.
Sometimes it succeeds: again, it
makes the judicious grieve and
the cynic sheer. If it would but
adhere to its policy Of creating
merriment all might be well. Alas,
however, it not infrequently strays
far afeld and, like the bovine
quadruped in the ten cent store,
it gives a similar exhibition Of it's
own artistic taste.
Some time ago this magazine
published a so-called appreciation
of the late revered Archbishop
Ireland. Previously it had painted
a lurid and insulting pen picture
Of Cardinal Farley. Hence, it's
authority in such matters may be
compared to that of gorilla i'll
analyzing trinototoluol.
This light-hearted contempor-
airy, after speaking Of the labors
and the American spirit OF the
great Archbishop of st. Paul,
runs amuck through all the can
ons Of historical accuracy, Amer
lean fair play, and the dictates of
good taste. Concerning the eff
forts of Archbishop Ireland
towards education, this periodical
says: "But Rome has no enthus-
iasm for Americanization Of any
thing over which she can claim
authority, and Dr. Ireland, in
spite Of his notable standing, and
of all efforts made i'll his behalf,
never got a red hat. -
The inference from the above
distorted view of the Church is
that the Archbishop erred in try
ing to Americanize what Rome
would have under her own do
minion. This statement discloses
lamentable ignorance Of the
Catholic Church and her real
spirit. The Church is ever in the
van when there is question of
commanding obedience to exist
ing laws and governments that
are just and fair. She takes that
stand from the Apostle who adj
monishes us to be subject to
authority in Church and State.
She does not reach out into civil
affairs with the intention Of con-
trolling or grasping them. Her
dominion is confined to the things
Of the spirit. Among these is
Catholic education, the parochia]
school.
That Archbishop Ireland en-
deavored to harmonic the two
systems Of education in peculiar
local conditions reflects his sagac.
ity as a churchman as well as q
patriot. That his plan did not
materialize was due to a situation
over which circumstances prevent
led a satisfactory solution. To al
firm that "Rome has no enthus
iasm for the Americanization Of
anything over which she can claim
authority, is to make a deliberate
misstatement, since it is to mis-
Judge her attitude towards things
secular as well as religious. Cath
olics are ever urged to take active
part in all movements that make
for the betterment of the nation
even in those things over which
Rome lays claim to no authority
as witness every patriotic activity
in this country-and in other lands
during the past great struggle
] Archbishop Ireland stood fortl
as the fearless champion of edu
| cation for all. He himself was {
man Of the highest and most re
fined culture and Of the broades
| intellectual connections and at
tainments. The Catholic school il
| this country had no more arden
| friend and benefactor than tn,
| distinguished prelate Of St. Paul
His writings on this subject, hi
lectures throughout the country