OCR Text |
Show IRISH CATHOLICS IN PETTY POLITICS. It is a deplorable fact that, in all of our large cities, so many Irish Catholics Cath-olics spend time and energy in seeking petty political positions. We say it is deplorable, for experience demonstrates that nearly every success in obtaining office is but the forerunner of a life of It is as unfortunate as it" is true that once the thrifty, hard-working father of a family has obtained some such i position as policeman or 'fireman or other office of equal emolument, work is for him but an unpleasant memory. We recall scores of men who were contented and happy during the years of work at their trades or labor of whatever nature -it may have been, until the desire to hold a political job took possession of them. Such jobs, in their very nature, last but a brief period of time; but, while they endure, the increase of pay and life of ease which accompany them invariably work for evil in all men, but particularly particular-ly in the Irish Catholic. We recall hundreds of cases where men, after having tasted the flesh-pots of political life, have spent years in idleness and debauchery, seeking to regain re-gain the positions of which the chang-e of political fortune had deprived them. SureJy it is a life of debauchery to spend weeks and months idling around political headquarters and trailing after the politicians, whom fortune, for a time, has placed in position. Such an idle life degrades the nature of the man, deadens his moral sense and makes of him a physical wreck. In any large city Jn this country, not a aay passes out some of these soldiers of political fortune may be seen loafing around the comers of the principal streets, or standing on watch outside the door of the political boss. The thought of returning to the trade which he left, to take his position "on the force" or "In the department," never enters his mind. - Work for him would be a humiliation, and so his life is spent in waiting for a return of the position which the vicissitudes of political polit-ical fortune always keep just beyond his reach. We would not have it inferred that we think there is not opportunity in political life for the Irish Catholic. Quite the contrary. We believe that in the higher realm of politics there is plenty of room for the educated and intelligent Catholic, who, by his training, train-ing, is best qualified for statesmanship. This is amply demonstrated Jn the lives of the great Catholics who have attained eminence by their ability on the bench, at the bar and in the Senate chamber of the nation. But we reiterate our firm conviction that in the lower realm of politics, the Irish Catholic invariably participates with danger to Tiimself and suffering to his family. This is true not alone in material things, but it is deplorably true in spiritual matters. - . The Holy. Name Society, the St. Vincent Vin-cent de Paul Society and the Men's Sodality very soon pass out of the mind of the man who, because he must lie "on duty," cannot, find time to go to mass, . or in any . way attend to his spiritual duties. To the Irish Catholics who are anxious anx-ious to give up regular employment for a place under some political boss, we say, in all sincerity and candor, do not do it. |