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Show A PLEA FOR UNITY OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. At the recent national convention of the A. O. II.. held in Boston, the following follow-ing important letter was read from His Lordship. Bishop McFaul, of Trenton. It deals villi many questions that apply ap-ply to Catholics in other countries, as wHI as in the United States: Bishop McFaul, as our readers will I remember, was the prime mover in uniting the two blanches of the order two years apo. After expressing his-regret his-regret at his inability to attend the convention, he writes: "My interest in the organization and the pleasant recollections of the nation- Ial convention held in this city prompt me to write and assure you that I have the same love for the cause and the same earnest desire 1o see you increase in numbers and prosperity. "After the nob'e sentiments in favor of unity expressed by the delegates to the Inst convention it is quite unnecessary unneces-sary to emphasize the great importance of united effort for strength and prog- ross., I shall therefore direct your attention at-tention to another question which I believe be-lieve should be taken up and prosecuted with energy. This subject has lately been forcibly brought to my attention in connection with the public institutions institu-tions of this state, and I presume a like condition, at 3east to some extent, exists ex-ists In almost every state in the Union. "The population of New Jersey is . over l.r.itO.OOO. and the Catholic population popula-tion is rapidly approaching f.OO.onfl, or about one-third of the population of the state. Now we should have a proportionate pro-portionate representatioan on the beards of management of public institution!. insti-tution!. This, however, we have 'never h.-te;. and although we are better off here as regards freedom of worship in public institutions than in some states, wo are nevertheless far from possessing possess-ing that full exercise of our religion which we should enjoy. Only a Catholic Catho-lic member of a public board can fully appreciate our Position as regards the necessity of religious worship, the teaching of religion and moral training, especially in reformatory institutions. "It seems to me, then, that all societies socie-ties composed of Catholics should endeavor en-deavor to touch at certain points, that, while retaining their identity and pursuing pur-suing their own aims independently of other organizations, there should be a bond of union enabling them, in given circumstances, to exert a united influence. influ-ence. "Let me not be misunderstood; I have not the remotest idea of advocating a Catholic, a German or an Irish party in America., but I firmly believe that when there is a question of our rights, as Christians and as Catholics, we should be in a position to maintain and protect thorn in an intelligent, forcible atrtl legitimate le-gitimate manner. "If nc were so organized, rati it be supposed for a moment that the present pres-ent administration would have passed over in silence the outrages against religion perpetrated in the Philippines, J or that those blinded by religious I prejudices would have been selected to I Investigate and report upon affair.": in- I timately connected with the welfare of I t the Catholic religion in those countries I ' which have lately come under the flag I of the United States. J "Afcatn. ir that influence to which our ' ' j - " ----- numbers relative to the entire popu-, popu-, lation of the country entitles us had been manifested in the proper channel, it is evident that the same administration adminis-tration would not dare treat so unjustly unjust-ly our Indian schools, and virtually de-; de-; stroy their usefulness by refusing proper prop-er pecuniary support. Bigots are clamoring for the conversion of the inhabitants in-habitants of our new possessions to a creed that is fast undermining its own foundation, the Bible, while closing their eyes to the disgraceful treatment of our own noble native races. The red man w ho, under the 'black robes' and the Sisters, would have been civilized civil-ized and Christianized, has been converted con-verted by the bullet of the rifle; his bones lie bleaching-on our plains, side by side with those of the bison, and the footsteps cf his descendants, becoming be-coming fewer and fewer, are all pointed toward the setting sun. "Sriaii has many a crime to answer for; but in all her colonies she has saved the native races, and taught them, through the priests and religion of the Catholic church, the tenets of Christianity and the arts of civilization. civiliza-tion. "Finally, let me add that we are entitled en-titled to a greater number of chaplains in the army and navy. Catholics have poured out their blood like water on land a.nd sea under the Hag of their country, and the least they can ask is that when the 'warrior's soul is about to meet the warrior's God,' they should receive the consolations of that religion which has planted patriotic aspirations as-pirations in their hearts. And yet how many a brave Catholic lad has given forth his soul to his Creator in the late war, deprived of the assistance of a priest, simply because the men in power pow-er do not appreciate the necessity of the religious consolations which we hold so dear, but which would be valued, val-ued, for the sake of policy, at least, did we raise our voices high enough to compel attention. "Let the A. O. II. take a determined . step in this matter, let them take part ; in forming a general organization of all societies composed of Catholics, ir- ( respective of nationality, in such man- ner that in our state legislatures and ( in the national congress the voice of i Catholics may be heard with effect i when there is question of our religious l rights under the constitution, or the 1 redress of grievances." c |