“What constitutes a state?...
Men, who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain.”
To insure harmony and good order, every Church should obey the laws of the country; but if any law should impose upon the rights of the Church in any way, the ruling authorities, the cardinal and bishops, if the wrong is national, should unite in a petition to the United States Congress, clearly stating the grievance and asking for its redress.[1] If the grievance should be within a State, the bishop or bishops of the State should present the matter to the Legislature of the State. If the President or the Governor has authority to remedy the matter, go direct to him. Such was the practice of the wisest of the Popes.[2] The author never knew of an instance [pg vii] in which a clergyman having a real grievance failed in obtaining a full and fair hearing from the powers that be, from the President downward. This method seems to be more in harmony with the relations of Church and State in a free government, and more intelligent than to have a convention of working men, who have little time to make a study of Church matters, pass resolutions, the passing of which generally ends the action of a convention.
In the chapters that follow, the author has refrained from giving a great multitude of authorities, but has endeavored to give such as are sufficient to sustain the text. For example, under the first section, and many others, a list of citations covering several pages might be given. That would add to the expense of the volume and would not be within its compass. The book will better fulfil its purpose by clear, brief statements of the rules of law, and if a reader desires to investigate further, the citations given will guide his way.
Charles M. Scanlan.
Milwaukee, January 23, 1909.