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Show FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. r I, One Mission of Federation is to Secure Layman's Help to ' Make This Country Catholic. ' I , (Concluded from Last Week.) Aside from the union of societies, as such, there Is another important phase of this subject. Take any city, large or small; let the number of its Catholic Cath-olic societies be -as great as it may can j'ou name one place where the just criticism will not apply that there is no Catholic sentiment, no Catholic social so-cial life to speak of, in a word, no Catholic public opinion representing all these societies? What would hinder Federation, at least once In a while, bringing all these elements together into social contact, as American citizens, citi-zens, so that they might at least become be-come better acquainted for a common cause? Especially in the matter "f cities would this illustrate the force of unity and emphasize the great necessity neces-sity for a Catholic opinion. The result of such getting together could not but make for the betterment of the interests inter-ests of Catholics, and by thus gradually grad-ually forming a Catholic sentiment rear a tower of strength for the protection of Catholic interests. The idea does not at all necessarily involve a clan-nishness clan-nishness which would be un-American. It is unquestionably true that the nearer near-er Catholics and Protestants touch in business, social and professional life, the more they come to understand one another and thereby level the barriers of bigotry. This fact is not, however, in conflict with the idea, as things practically are about us. of Catholics, on proper occasions, getting closer together to-gether in that social acquaintance and intercourse which is certain to make them a power in every community. In the last analysis, a most important import-ant mission of Federation is to secure the layman's part in helping to make this country Catholic. Such a hope is not an idle dream. To even superficial super-ficial observers and thinkers Protestantism Protest-antism has not satisfied, and cannot resist the stern, searching logic of American thought. Infidelity, agnosticism, agnosti-cism, or absolute Indifference is already rapidly digging the grave of Protestantism Protest-antism in the United States. A great work of federation is to build up Catholicity into a living, controlling con-trolling force in the moral, social and intellectual activities energizing and throbbing at the heart of this restless American age. Federation must forge V. n t, , lnonr in that trlnri nf to the front as a leader in that kind of endeavor which not only compels respect re-spect but begets confidence and wins esteem. Its' best energy. Its highest ideal.- should find expression in labors Inviting and sure to receive the approval ap-proval and even co-operation of all Americans labors that will make far nobler manhood among men and consequently, con-sequently, far better citizenship for the republic. There are more than ample opportunities about us for the work of federation. Masterful direction taken and successful accomplishment, effected effect-ed in this movement, and Catholicity can be made In this country what our great pontiff has made the church in the world at large a factor of commanding com-manding influence instead of the timid, shrinking apologist It has too long been for Its very existence. Such a position achieved, misunderstanding will clear away, the tongue of slander will be hushed In the silence of shame, and Catholicity will take that place in the hearts and minds of the American people peo-ple which Protestantism has never really real-ly had and never can sufficiently till. The keen, analytical matter of fact American mind that is questioning everything; that is sifting out the intrinsic in-trinsic merits of all things; that coldly assails the logic of all things by empty pews It startllngiy emphasizes its contempt con-tempt for man-made creeds. With this pulpit denying the divinity of Christ, that one questioning the trinity, and another entirely eliminating God, and all joining in open attack upon some essential of the revealed truth with this jarring confusion and chaos the necessity neces-sity and inevitable result of private interpretation in-terpretation of the Bible against this self-evident, stultifying condition the intelligence of America already openly rebels. Will the result be absolute Indifference, In-difference, atheism or a return to Cath-liclty? Cath-liclty? Let the inherently, religious. Christian Chris-tian trend of America get away from its imaginary fears of Rome; from its childish notions of clerical domination; domina-tion; from its false ideas of freedom of thought. Let it come to know the real iruin or wnat uatnonc belief really is, and who will not say America may not turn to satisfying, undoubting belief in God rather than man-made creeds. It must have been some such movement move-ment for unity of action by the Catholic Catho-lic laity as that which we now advocate advo-cate that Archbishop Ireland had In mind when, several years ago, speaking speak-ing to the Catholic societies of England, Eng-land, he urged upon them the necessity neces-sity for union and an apostleship of the laity. As I recall from memory he said substantially: Upon the world's I broad battlefield of strife between the i forces of light and darkness, without the strong arm of the laity supporting, we prelates are as captains whose rank and file have fied their colors upon the field." With the same thought in mind tonight to-night the Federation, summoning to the field of moral and intellectual endeavor, endeav-or, points to where, for God, our lady and our country, the chivalric knighthood knight-hood of the American Catholic laity can thrust with a lance as bright and strike with a brand as trenchant as ever did a Godfrey de Bouillion or a Tancred of old. Some of the great Catholic journals have already recognized the possibilities possibili-ties of Federation as a powerful factor in removing, what in Catholic fraternal life has proved a great drawback to a closer union the barriers of nationality. national-ity. We all despise a man who is not proud of his lineage. De we not, though, sometimes carry racial pride so far into American life that it spurs to retaliation? How often indignation indigna-tion burns to hear men, removed no further than ourselves from the immigrant im-migrant ship, prating about the "foreign "for-eign element"! . Federation is the most effectual means to knit more closely together men of different races especially espec-ially those of German and Irish blond. Time was when racial methods, manners man-ners and customs were so radically different dif-ferent that congenial association seemed an impossibility. A great change in this regard ha3 been wrought. In most localities former conditions are now so modified that only the opportunities of Federation on a large scale are needed to blend and harmonize men of different blood. The practical effect of racial union, at least for the purpose of Federation, upon American Catholic life and its resulting influence in every community means more than we probably appreciate. appre-ciate. The present plan of permanent organization or-ganization is patterned after that with which we are ail most familiar the American idea of organization. Our government interferes with no man's nationality, language or customs- it protects them all; it wisely alms to amalgamate them all. God Himself It would seem, In his wise and beneficent benefi-cent dispensation, intended that here upon the free soli of America the tangled and bloody skein of national hatreds and jealousies should be forever for-ever unraveled; that here In America there should be. because of nationality, national-ity, no "separate heartbeat among all the races of men." Let me t again: No more of the bitterness of race, no more of the bigotry of creed- surely there j3 no broader meaning rUl I grander mission for the Star , t Stripes to begin the civilization of'u-.. ! twentieth century: The eosmnPoiit;l., ism of our American life today ,r's very little practical figure. We fr.ii,,-v What customs we plisr; ;rs sr,,' whatever language suits us, and ab'v all is the shield of the power of vm r-ican r-ican unity. .So in the present method of organization organ-ization th Federation, Mjtn its tution properly interpreted, say? r,j j every society: Keep your sej.ar,r aims, your distinct objects. C!;;! to your customs and traditions. tain your languages. All this is u,.. f business of each society. It is not concern, nor is it within tho jurisdiction jurisdic-tion of the Federation, run- Vm,..',,:..' I has no right, nor has it any rlfsi,, ;., I meddle with these matters. Wha; ' . J want is your Catholicity, your citiz. - ship, in our effort to fashion a gr.m.l homogeneous unit that will stand r,. all societies, for all nationali rifs. t.', protect their Catholic citizens! Every society, all organization?. i-'..L maining absolutely unaffected in ev. particular, aside from the one aim ,,V Federation: remaining absolute!- n control of its own organization, ai'm and methods; may we not hope ;, f for the purposes of Federation t can see their way to meet the coiim,.,. ground of Catholic citizenship thin I eliminating within the portals of T- .;-eration .;-eration the otherwise jarring clnvr of nationality? j Under the constitution adopted it j Cincinnati all Catholic societies ar., ! branches thereof are entitled to in and complete recognition in the Chii-a- r go convention. The policy, ho we v. r, ' for permanent organization, as define,! j by the constitution, is along the lines local or county, state and natl'"r! Federation. This was thought wisest from the necessity of environment. if Suppose we aim to build permanentl;,.-along permanentl;,.-along other lines. Suppose a national convention of the Federation, so constituted consti-tuted permanently that it may be mad" up of the great national organizations with their human nature of striving for precedence and control: with tli-ir natural jealousies and contentions for direction: suppose to this you add component com-ponent parts made up of a German, an Irish Federation, a Bohemian Federation, Federa-tion, a Polish Federation, etc., earh distinct and supreme I say it would tax the zenius of Mr. Doolev himself ioa llirr grutun Ul i . iwuic v null'--!!. , to picture the scene and sum the pen- ' eral catastrophe. If the state and national orgai. 'nations 'na-tions were to unite so that each reserved re-served the right to do as It pleased In the matter of protecting Catholic interests, in-terests, there could be no discipline, no system, and consequently no unity o( ( purpose or action. There are those who feel indifferenf or even "hostile to Federation under tho jr' mistaken impression that it may in some way interfere with or lessen th? influence of some separate society, The existence and practical workinar ol Federation, in either its aims or methods, meth-ods, will have no effect whatever upon the objects or absolute autonomy of any society. Each society and branch thereof affiliated with the Federation will hold the usual tenor of its way absolutely ab-solutely unaffected, and pursue its separate sep-arate work as though Federation had never been thought of. Federation in city, county and state will not eneroaih, upon local or district societies. It will only serve as a common bond of unity for the promotion and protection pro-tection of the rights common to all. leaving each in every respect free and absolutely independent in its own separate affairs and specific aims. Whatever Federation may achieve will be equally shared in by all alike. Its work will necessarily be directed towards to-wards simply the protection and promotion pro-motion of the Catholic citizenship of. .. all. ' If there is to be unity, something of absolute independence must necessarily necessar-ily be conceded. The measure of independence inde-pendence conceded is so limited that it in no way interferes with the general ; objects and separate aims of any or-ganization. or-ganization. It is confided to our object the promotion and protection of th ; Catholic citizenship common to ail. If each could affect this purpose separately, separate-ly, unless united action were a neces- sary means to such common end thero ' would be no reason for unity of action. Because it is self-evident they can bet- ; ter accomplish this purpose together j: this is tne necessity ior unity. j If the great national organizations ; -were to enter federation permanently by a direct representation of their na- ' tional officers or other delegates there j -would be serious danger of such emulation emu-lation for direction and 'control as might beget those jealousies and con- tentions for supremacy necessarily inherent in-herent in the direct combination of separate and distinct dependencies. Just here I should perhaps admit that the effort to unify Catholic societies has .j been, and it still is, beset with many perplexities, with great difficulties. We ; fully realize the dangers pointed out j by friend and foe. Abiding, however, , is our conviction as to the necessity for j and the advantages of federation. Dif- r Acuities and even dangers; at times necessarily sentinel the pathway lead- ing to the priceless things. Should we on that account be willing to permit "I would, wait upon I dure not?" We are aware, too, there are wirte , differences of opinion even unnecessarily unneces-sarily angry dissensions as to the best ' methods of getting together. This only proves again the truth that " 'Tis with our judgment as ox:? watches. None go just alike, yet each believes his own." The executive officers of the feder- ation, influenced only by faithfulness j to the trust confined by the Cincinnati convention, have aimed to carry out that method of organization unmistakably unmis-takably defined by the national con- - vention; convinced of the wisdom of the method for permanent organiza- j tion there outlined yet mindful of thi practical necessity for concessions and even essential changes in this method so as to conciliate as far as possible those of different views and secure tho co-operation of each and every exist ing Catholic body, the executive and advisory boards, at the last session, appointed a committee to meet all those who may wish to counsel with it upon this important and difficult subject sub-ject of method of organization. For that purpose the committee will be In ; Chicago several days prior to the con- ! vention. Looking toward a solution of j this difficulty as to just what is tho : best method of getting together; en- j : deavoring to reach a conclusion which j i will meet the approval of all the socie- j ties, this committee cordially invites ; the co-operation and counsel especial- , ly of the heads of the great national organizations. It will be conceded by all that unity of action is a necessity ! for the protection and promotion of , Catholic interests. In view of thi3 necessity, if it be possible that Catholics Catho-lics lack the sagacity, the elements of harmony necessary to come together; If this be true, then should we forever hold our peace about unfair discrinv. , Inatlons and grievances. God helps those who help themselves. Neither the foolishly inactive nor the imbecile can be factors in the problem of the "sur- , vival of the fittest." 7 "Together' is the watchword of the , times. We must hearken to it or re- f main laggards In the advancement which bids us keep abreast and at thfl front in the rapid march cf the great events of our times I ; i |