Bishop Grace is writing to explain a letter of his published last August in the "Western Banner " of St. Louis. At the time the letter was written he had no idea that it would be given to the public. The Banner is the Catholic paper of the Province. He believes that exclusive Catholic papers are of little value. The secular journals, which take part in the discussion of public questions, are demanded. The editors of these latter journals should be given freedom of action. He has admired this feature in the "Freeman's Journal", which he regards as the most effective of the Catholic papers. He wishes the Journal great success, and hopes that it will be able to continue independent. The great mass of Catholic people do not have freedom of expression and action. It is true that they belong to one party, and that they will not change, no matter what the party's policies, principles, or manners are, or who are its men. This cannot be said of any other considerable portion of the population. The very good of the country depends upon the expression of individual rights. He believes that the basis of the constitution of the United States is the individuality of its citizens. He opposes the effect of dead weight of the Catholic mass of people on the one and same side. The effect of this state of things has been to irritate the minds and to engender the hostility of all other classes and parties. It deprives us, as Catholics, of some of our rights; because our views and sentiments are never consulted, nor is any regard given to the manner in which we are to be affected by any public measure. Grace states that the German population, though smaller in number than the Catholics, have more influence because they have no strict party allegiance. He comments further on the regrettable situation and points out that it is true even in local matters. He apologizes for the length of this letter, but explains that he had to make some previous statements clear. He would not have written on the preceeding matter if he had not felt that it injures the Catholic religion and the religious rights of its people. He can prescribe a remedy, but he hopes that the fault will work itself out. :: I-1-m A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.