THE PROPOSED CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION 361 



the Church, as such, but is the record of the activities of indi- 

 vidual citizens, or of a body of citizens, vying with their fel- 

 low-men to better the world and lead it into paths of truth, 

 honesty and uprightness. 



When the need for public action arises, this association may 

 then take even more energetic measures. When the need 

 arises, it can awaken public sentiment, arrange for public meet- 

 ings and gatherings, and present the proper views to the public 

 in general, or to officials, courts or legislatures, as the case may 

 require. In truth, there is no limit to its activities and it may 

 enlist the cooperation of the brightest and most active minds in 

 its work of enlightening public opinion as to the merits of 

 Catholic views and Catholic rights in a given case. The suc- 

 cessful activities of such an association in informing a fair- 

 minded pubHc of the acts, teachings, principles and aims of the 

 Catholic Church in civil and temporal affairs, may prepare the 

 way for that long-wished-for Catholic daily newspaper. This 

 latter, however, is surely an inspiration for the future, and not 

 an immediately practical aim of the association, as we are out- 

 lining its possible activities. 



We are not aware probably of the wealth of material at our 

 command to illustrate the progress, dignity and defense of the 

 Church. An organization such as we contemplate would bring 

 it out. The Catholic Encyclopedia surprised and delighted 

 everybody by its showing of American scholars, both clerics 

 and laymen, who were versed in the history, doctrine and de- 

 velopment of the Church. The same thing would without 

 doubt be experienced here. We do not realize the powers for 

 good which we can command, or how wide would be the in- 

 fluence of such a movement. The Church has no longer any 

 need to apologize for its existence and policy in the United 

 States : it can now insist that it become as well known in all its 

 civil relations as the Panama Canal or the Railroad Question, 

 quite irrespective of its dogmatic teachings or its ecclesiastical 

 organization, and a succession of daily, weekly and monthly 

 itemized truths, as well as lengthier statements concerning its 

 temporal relations, will contribute to place it before the Ameri- 

 can public without prejudice or bias. 



The average American will entertain a finer and heartier 

 respect for the Church and her institutions the more he knows 

 of. them, and the less likely will he be to assail or injure them. 



