University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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Catholic Education and the World War (Address delivered by John J. Bar- rett ' 91, at Public Meeting of Catholic Educational Association, Civic Audi- torium, San Francisco, July 25, 1918.) Ladies and Gentlemen: The convention which receives us in its public session tonight happened to assemble at the most novel hour in Am- erican history ; and the coincidence is suggestive. For the first time since this Republic began, every institution and every person in the land stands challenged for the credentials of his loyalty and service. It was high time, after a century and a half of unquestioning welcome to all classes, creeds and opinions, and unsus- pecting hospitality to all who came our way, that the roll of the faithful should be called. It was high time that a na- tion that was founded upon the most benign theories that were ever made the basis of a State ; that was sum- moned by its fundamental principles, its supreme ideals, its splendid past and its high future, into a mortal combat in which all these were challenged ; that was surprised in such a combat by un- expected disaffection among her own people and stunned by stark treason among her guests ; it was high time that such a nation should line up every per- son and institution in the land, search their hearts and scrutinize their activi- ties, and at the door of every home, at the threshold of every house of wor- ship, and in the inmost council-chamber of every institution, to demand the countersign — loyalty and service. The Question of the Hour. What response does the Catholic Ed- ucational Association make to that question of the hour? Church Behind the Flag. The answer of the convention of that association to the question as to where the Catholic Church in America stands, in this as well as every other depart- ment of her activities, at this supreme hour in our country ' s history, rings out clear and unequivocal — the loudest in the land — in the forthright pledge that she stands behind the Government and under the flag. That attitude has not waited for its proclamation upon any summons. It has been preached from our pulpits and shouted from our church-towers since the first moment of this evil hour ; and any one of us can answer for her. We pledge our country our single- hearted allegiance. We entertain no scruples about the justice of her parti- cipation in the conflict. We approve the course she has taken in the crisis, and we would h ave had her take no 13