American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 13, 26 December 1890, Page 3

American Notes.

h^rJi»r notable in the events of th* religious world which SSITTn 7 "TS 9 ? bb * 8 been the delivery °" ■ leot "c in the iSSE 1 °SHHr5 HHra ™ rd u Uni je™tyb y Bishop Keane, Rector of tbe Catholic University at Washington. The course of lectures in question, and one of which Bishop Keane was invited to deliver, was founded by a certain Chief Jpstice Dudley, a man who, in his day, was surpassed by none in his rigid Calvinism and his hostility to everything connected with the Oathoiic church. The chang« therefore, that has already come over the spirit of things, and the promise for the future, are evident. A Catholic Bishop in the pulpit of a Prcteetant University in New Bngland, and thence addressing a crowded congregation made up for the most part of non-Catholic students, and tii iV members of tn ? Piotestant sects, was a remarkable sight. The Bishop s lecture, which was on revealed religion, was worthy of the occasion, and such as might well sustain the high reputation he bears as a member of the Catholic hierarchy. It must go far towards spreading throughout the United States an idea, more closely approaching the truth, of the nature of the Catholic church.

Great alarm and indignation have been caused in New Orleans by the cold blooded and deliberate murder of the Chief of Police in that city. The motive of the deed is attributed to the determination which bad been shown by the murdered official to put down the Mafia, or secret society of assassination introduced into the country by Sicilian Garibaldians and Anarchists, and which had already been accountable for much crime. Apart from this element among their ranks, however, Italian immigrants in the United States are very favourably reported of. Inspector Byrne of New York, for example, one of tbe most able detectives and highest authorities on such matters in the country, gives the people alluded to a very good character " Tbe Italian population of this city," he says, " numbers about one hundred thonsand persona, and, taken as a class, they make a very good showing as regards crime. As a rule Italians are sober, industrious and thrifty. They work hard after coming here, and after accumulating a little money they generally start in some business." TDe Mafia, a branch of the famous anti-Catholic Carbonari, was introduced into the country by a somewhat notorious patriot named Bsposito — a native of Sicily and an energetic promoter there of tbe new state of things. Americans, even those ofi them who had most sympathy for Garibaldi, and were loudest in advocacy of Italian unity and so-called freedom, seem to have but little taste for Garibaldian methods when brought into closer contact with them. The Chief of Police who has been murdered was named Hennesßy. He was an Irish-American, and was held in high esteem as a most useful and deserving officer.

In tbe cattle lassoing contest by cowboys at the International Fair, San Antonio, Texas, October 11, William Capps broke tbe preTions record, 46 seconds, tyiDg down a wild steer in 43£ Beconds. Frank Craine received posßibly fatal injnries in a fall from his horse, and a Mexican cowboy was seriously gored by a wild steer.

The conviction of forty women captured by the police in their raid on Chinatown (says a New York paper) is only a slight indication of the ravages being made upon American society by opiates in various forms. Women are chiefly susceptible to the delusive drug because of their sensiiive organism, and because they are debarred the use of alcohol, which would be detected on their breath. Several of these women are Baid to be of high Boeial standing.

Eighteen hundred and niiiety (says the New York Freeman 1 Journal of November 8), will be memorable in the annals of three sections of the community, viz., in Vermont, where, beside L»ke Champlain, the faithtul remembered the consecrated years of Bishop De GoesbriaDd ; io New York, where the echoes of the jubilee of Bishop Lonshlin are sill reverberating, and in the great and growing West, where the modest Archbishop of Chicago was last week made the recipient of a commemorative ovation the like of which was never given to king or conqueror. Archbishop Feehan can well feel happy over this great manifestation of his people's devotion to him and the Church to which he has given his years. He has seen the Catholic population of Chicago grow in cne decade from 130,000 to 460,000 and more, acd it has been no easy matter to provide for that growth. The task wbb given to him, and he went at it with quiet but steady energy until it was accomplished. Ten years ago there were 170 churches there ; to-day there are 218, with many outposts for new ones. Aronnd them gather congregations as universal in their makeup as is the character of the Mother whom they revere as their guide and succour. All the different nationalities of Chicago Catholics lire amicably and happily together, vicing with each other in devotion to their religion and loyalty to the institutions of this marvellous land.

Fathor Mollinger, who hae been sick tor a long time, saw a few patients tbe week ending October 11, for the first time since St. Anthony's Day, Time 13. The only ones he allowed to visit him were those who had come a great distanca and who have been here some time awaiting his recovery. He gave notice that after those present were treated, he would not see another person until af ier November 1. He will spend the balance of this month in rest, preparatory to resuming his great labour of healing the thousands of afflicted who come from all parts of tbe country. This will be welcome news to those who intend to pay St. Anthony's shrine a visit.

Harvard (says the Brooklyn Catholic Revien) did itself honour in inviting Bishop Keane to deliver the Dudlcian Lecture this year. It iB another Btcf in the right direction. It ib a breaking down of

old prejudices. It is welding in bonds of harmony and union citizens of this Republic as citizens and scholars irrespective of creed. It is a placing of tbe Republic of letters on its proper plane, where scholars meet and discuss issues without calling names or creating ill-will. It was considered a remarkable phenomenon when, four years ago, Brother Azarias was invited by the Concord School of Philosophy to present the Catholic aspects of the question under discussion. It proved that the most advanced thinkers were not content with their knowledge of a Bubject until they had possessed the Catholic aspect of it. Such a request would not have been made fifteen years ago. Catholicity is not only holding her own ; she is also acquiring an intellectual prestige that is growing with every cycle of the seasons. Catholic books are being more read and commended by non-Catholics. The writings of Cardinal Newman, W. S. Lilly, Cardinal Gibbons and Brother Azarias are Bure of a respectful reception by the non-Catholic Press. Archbishop Ryan receiving bis degree of L.L.D. from the University of Pennsylvania ; Arcbbißhop Ireland reading a paper at the Teachers' Association of the West ; Bishop KeaDe pleading the cause of Catholic education before another Teachers' Association ; Brother Azarias reading a paper before the Farruingtoa School of Philosophy this summer— these are all instances of the new era of good feeling that has set in, and which cannot be ignored. Incalculable good may be done by the acceptance of such invitations. When the right hand of fellowship is extended by our non-Catholic friends, and they ask us what we believe and teach on certain topics, it is becoming that we accept and explain as best we can.