Evening star., 1926-06-19
BY the Associated Press.

CHICAGO, June 19.-Before his ad-
dress yesterday, welcoming the
Eucharistic Congress, Secretary OF
Labor Davis read a letter from Presi-
dent Coolidge, in which the Chief Elk.
ecutive expressed regret that he could
not accept the invitation of Cardinal
Mundelein to attend the Eucharistic
Congress.
The letter, dated June l6, read:
Your Emlnence:
THE invitation to attend the Eu-
charistic Congress. extended through
you, has been received. / regret that
my engagements are such at this time,
looking after those matters which nat.
urally arise at the end of session,
that 1t is impossible for me TO ac-
cept
1T is reported to me that this will
probably be one of the largest re-
ligious gatherings of recent days held
in America. Our country has long
been under the .nputation OF putting
too much emphasis 1n material things.
Perhaps we have hecn the subject of
that kind of criticism. not so much
because we are really more interested
in material prosperity than others, but
because in that direction we have been
more successful than others. But. no
such criticism lies in the fact mate
rial prosperity cannot be secured un-
less 1t rests upon spiritual realities.
1t is impossible to create a conner.
cial system which is not built on cred
it, confidence and faith. Without the
elements of honor and honesty there
can be no economic advance. If the
requirements of character be with
drawn from our business structure
the whole fabric would collapse.
Principle Applies to Government.
THE same principle applies to our
Government. The day of the despot
has passed. No country attempts to
rely on force, but on reasons to justify
Its institutions. No government can
long endure unless it's people are con-
V1nced' that 1t is q righteous govern
ment. II our country has achieved
any political success, If our people are
attached to the Constitution. 1t is be.
cause our institutions are in harmony
with their religious beliefs.
1T is for these reasons that the
religious life of the Nation is so impor!
tant. It's free exercise is guaranteed
by the fundamental law of the land.
II America is advancing economically.
If 1t is the abiding place of justice and
freedom. 1t is because of the deep
religious convictions of its people.
Very cordially yours.
(Signed) CALVIN COOLIDGE"
Il bring you the greetings of the
President of the United States" Sec
retary Davis said. II extend the
welcome of the Republic.
Lauds Pilgrims Zeal.
when a million souls from all parts
of the world leave their homes and
vocations behind them for the purpose
Of making a pilgrimage of the extraor-
binary character which is now being
witnessed in this city, 1t is proof, if
proof be needed. that religion is
neither dead nor moribund in the heart
of man. The zeal that brought you
TO this city is comparable to that
which inspired the knights of old who
roamed far and wide in search of the
Holy Grail.
I'VE often hear it said in America
that the present age is one of un-
bridled materialism and worIdliness
that the light of faith that burned SO
bright in the middle ages is still burn
ing with no diminution of its luster.
Catholics have reason to be proud
of the growth of their faith in
America. You have found. and
hope you will always find, in America
no matter what conditions may pre-.
vail in other sections af this hemi-
sphere-the freedom which you require
to teach your faith to young and old.
1.-The patriotism of our Catholic
citizens is not open to dispute. II
there Is any prejudice against
- fVAv
persons who make specially OF
prejudice, and. like all other countries,
we have a few who do.
1--WE have no quarrel with any
mans religion; and any nation that
refuses TO grant freedom of worship
Is a nation that must realize sooner
or later that 1t has made the profound
est of mistakes"
Cardinal Bonzano in his response.
spoke, in part:
"At this time, in the name of his
holiness, Plus XII. in the name OF
Cardinal Mundelein, and in the name
of all the Catholics of the world, from
the depth of my grateful soul. thank
your excellency, your honor. and
through you. the other officials OF
the State and city. and your fellow
citizens, for this expression of esteem
which will gladden. the heart of the
Sovereign Pontiff. that venerable man
to whom more than 100000, 900 people
look with veneration to as a father
and teacher.
Has Stimulated Christianity.
"You can best appreciate the i'm
portance of this congress, yourselves
by the fact that for the past year
the people OF your city have been
deeply stirred In preparation for 1t
To this, I can add that not only have
the people Of Chicago and America
experienced an overpowering senti
ment stimulating their hearts, but the
whole Christian world has experienced
like thrill and urge. They seem to
have caught something Of the L will
spirit of Chicago. which has prompted
her citizens to plan every detail for
the most stupendous religious gather
| ing this Western World ever has
known.
"From a booklet setting forth very
briefly the growth of Chicago. l have
learned that its universities enroll
nearly $4,000 students, and that
$50 900 900 are expended annually for
the education of the 100000 children
in your public schools. To this mus'
be added the contributions OF private
organizations. that of the Catholics
and a number of others, who build
and maintain their own schools.
1.-THE reason for this self-fmposed
burden was expressed by President
Coolidge, the illustrious Chief Execu-
tive of your Nation. some months
ago. when he said; AN intellectual
growth will only act toward confusion
unless it is accomplished by moral
4 Il not q