The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899, May 04, 1894, Image 1
AMERICAN, X "intn i m; w iHiiiniiiiiiiuMffi VnlNI IV, ..,. ....... ......... OMAHA, NKUKA8KA, KUIIUY, MAY 4. MM, THE ROME AND THE A. P. A. t ... a. . Dr. Psatcii, lh Pullman IMUhp mr.-h.U tmnltstt InMitutlnns sntl lit' I'hilrrilw Am'.sllim Nitcmi j t t i.nnbtsit Jesuit In (luring. "Uonan ttlJ toi-tn and lh A. P, A,M was th KulijiH-t f a p.rnim by ll-'X. llliam 11. CaiwardSiio, of ttio Pullman Mh'UkhI it Kplxeopal t'huivh, last Sabbath evening, In which he re plied vigorously to tlx) sermon of Hev, David Beaton on the same suhjivule llvetvd the previous Sunday vmlng Tho church In tho Casino Building wa crowded, great Interest being man ifested. Mr. Carwardine chose us hi text, Matthew 22-21, "Bender theivfore unto Ciesar the things that nitCVar's; and unto God tho things that are God's." Last Sabba'h Dr. David Beaton, pas tor of the Lincoln Park Congrega tional church of this city delivered a sermon In which among other things ho declared that the American Pro tective Association is un-Amerlcun and unconstitutional. I have studied carefully tho princi ples of their organization; converged with those who are postod In its af fairs, mid the discussions pro and con concerning it in tho newspapers and magazines. I have made myself fa miliar with its workings, and watched with intense interest the rise and do velopment of the order, its effect upon the Roman Catholic church, and upon the polities of the country. In view of this I take issue with those who crit icise tho order, who seo no Lord in It, and who mlsreoroscnt its principles. I do not believe that the American Protective Association lsun-Amorlean noitner uo l nouove mat tins move ment is a mere question of creed, and an arraying of a sect against a sect. am willing to admit in the outset that the organization is not all that may be desired, that it might be Improved upon or enlarged in its scope in some directions, and that among its ad her ents may bo found some who permit ":.thiir zeal 10 hut-ride their liulirmnnl and in the namo of tho order, commit Rome acts whi.'h are whollv forelo-n to , v n the spirit inculcated by the principle of the American Protective Assoclu tion. I appeal tonight to the deliberate Judgment of every right thinking Am.' crlcan citizen irrespective of creed and party, to a calm consideration of the condition of affairs in our country that has called forth the organization of this society. Let us examine its prln cl pies, and true aim of tho American Protective Association. , First As to the question of respon alblllty: It may be reasonably asked, who Is responsible for this organization? What has called forth this movement? Who is tho instigator of It? What con dition of affairs ha produced a demand on the part of the American people for such a movement? Why is It that the American Protective Association is growing so rapidly all over tho United States? Why is it that the ranks are being Increased, not only by those whom we are pleased to term tho coin mon people, but also by tho more in telligent classes in every walk of life the lawyer, tho physician, the clergy man, the statesman, the Journalist, the farmer and the mechanic? One council alone in the city of Chicago has a mem bershlpof 4,000, Surely there must bo something "rotten in Denmark," Surely there must be an underlying cause for such an uprising of popular sentiment. History is full of great movements great uprisings of the people, great up heavals of popular opinion, and bock of them thoro has been some eaunu$ belli. The responsibility of tho organization of the A. 1'. A. rests upon tho Homan Cathollo hierarchy in America. Who Is responsible? Homanlsin. Who Is tho instigator? ltomanlsm. Where shall we seek the cause? In Jtomanlsm XNot the itoinan uathoiio church us a church, but tho toman Catholic church as a political organization. Not the creed of Homanlsin, but the political spirit of ltomanlsm. Not tho religion of tho Komari Catholic citizen, because be has the same right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience as I have; but that part of his religion which binds him to uphold tho temporal sovereignty of the jsipe, tho union of church and state, to de stroy tho American public school sys tem, endorse tho order of tho Jesuits, that would make St. Patrick's day a legal holiday, and wave the groen flag above tho stars and stripes! Second So much for responsibility; now consider the criticism as to relig ious discrimination: Lot It be distinctly understood that tho A. P. A, is not opposed to Horn an uttnoiioism as a religion, This mut-t be accepted as a condition in tho dis cussion of this matter, Tho stock argu ment of those who criticise the order is that It Is "dragging religion into poli tics," that It is discriminating against a man because he Is a believer in tho cred of the ltoman Cathollo church. This Is an evasion of tho real point at Issut j It is a subterfuge to escape from tho true question; it U a misrepresenta tion, whether intended or' not) it is a slur cast upon the order by its enemies td make capital agllnst it: " " Paragraph 3 of tho principles of tho order declares, "We attack no man's religion, so long as ho does not attempt to make his religion an element of po lltlcal power." Again, paragraph fi declares! "Wo regard all rellglo poliUcal organizations as tho enemies of civil and religious liberty." Now, this Is as plain as tho English language can make It, that tho A. P. A. Is opposed to ttomarilsm as a politi cal machine and not as a creed Let the burden of proof rest where it rightfully belongs, Lot tho ltoman Catholic church come forth and prove that the fears of American citizens are groundless; that she does not meddle with politics; that she is tot, In the garb of religion, making an effort to control the, political welfare of this country; that she does not, as a church bold allegiance first to tho ltoman pun tllT, second to tho president of the United States, Let her coma forth and clearly prove all this beyond a doubt- then tho mission of tho A. P, A. will have ended. Tho A. P, A. is opposed to the Horn- Ish political hierarchy. Its members are fully aware of the ahomfnahlo polit ical practices of tho ltoman hierarchy in every country and ago where its power has been supremo. Its mornberi hollove that there Is positive evld eneo of tho same being practiced In this country, and they call upon all patriotic citizens to organize against tho evil. Now the ltoman Catholic hierarchy and tho ltoman Catholic church are to all intents and purposes one, I toman Catholicism as a iiolltlcal power and ltoman Catholicism as a re ligion are practically one. Tho A. 1 A, believes that tho liost method to reach political Ilomanlsts, and teach them a thing or two about American principles, Is to organizn against them, until they have learned to know hotter. If, then, In organizing against the ltoman Catholic church as a political machine, tho ltoman Cathollo citizen, as religionist, suffer therefrom, then It Is his fault and not that of tho A. P. A. Jt Is tho political aspect of tho mat ter that tho A. I'. A, is after, and not the religious. If tho religious aspectsuffers, because It is keeping company with the polltl- al, then let them break up partner ship, declare tho engagement olT, and If they are already in rrled, then In tho namo of'tho Almighty, and Tor tho sake of all concerned, get a divorce. It is an unholy alliance, Tho ltoman Cathollo church in Am erica will have to do one of two things, either discard or purge herself of the Ultranontano wing of her ecclesias WHAT IT MUST EVENTUALLY COME TO, tical household. She cannot ride tw norsos at once, bno cannot servo two mastors. She must conform to Amor can principles, and separate herself from partisan pulitjos, or reap tho slumbering wrath of exasperated and angered Americans who have endured her effrontery long enough. If on firing on a rattle snake, a bun tor wounds some bird of beautiful plumage, it is no disparagement to the hunter. We aro sorry for the bird of beautiful plumage. Hut tho death of tho snake may mean a lease of llfo for many other beautiful birds. The v,!po,r In American politics today is Jesuit ism. If, in its hatred against tho viper, the American citizen, sucks by any or ganlzod ballot, to rid itself of the mou stor, and if at the mi mo tluio a few lto man Cathollo office holders (birds of beautiful plumage) aro retired to prl vatollfo, It were better a thousand times that the viper bo destroyed, tho ofllce-holders retired, and that the 11 public be saved, The critics of tho A. P. A. ought to go to tho root of tho matter. Tho average citizen looks with disgust and alarm at tho condition of things in all our great cities. Ho sues these cities in tho hands of tho ltoman Catholics. almost every office is controlled by them. Every ono knows that It Is the result of Jesuitical scheming. We come into contact every whom with tills secret organization, and patriotic Am erlcans aro absolutely helpless and paralyzed In their efforts to overcome Its nefarious influence. In this state of mind tho American citizen meets with the A. P. A. At first ho realizes that its methods of attack are severe but concludes to join it. Do -you hlamo him, if ho allies himself with it? I do not, Lctusceaso this talk about "drag' glng polities Into rollglon"-this non sense about un-Amorleanlsm and un constitutionality. If unorganized effort will not overcome the evil of ltoman Interference in American polities, thou let us try organization. If kindness and christian charity and pleading and moral suasion will not do, if Uomwi Catholics havo not patriotism enough to give up this selfish and unnecessary cry about our public school system, and kindred matters, then In self-defense we must do something. I welcome tho A. P. A. as that something. Third Consider tho charge that the A, P. A, is un-American; It has been charged tnal tho A. P. A Is un-American. What is American? What do we mean by Americanism? bollovo American stands for liberty of speech, free political action, non-interference with personal religious convic tions, entire separation of church and statu, free press, free schools a free Hoplo. Americanism, I take It to mean loyalty to American Institutions (even If a man bo of foreign birth), love of country, opposition to foreign inter vention In American affairs, desire for reforms beneficiary to tho country at largo. Now, in tho light of this definition. I contend that the A. P, A. is as Ameri can as any other organization of tho country. Does Americanism mean loyalty to country, irrespective of birth? Head paragraph 1 of tho principles of tho order, which says: "Nationality is not a bar to membership in tho order, No man Is askod where ho was born." Does Americanism moan froo polltl cal action? Head paragraph 2, which says:, "We Interfere with no man's partisan politics." Also paragraph PJ, which says: "We are in favor of put ting into office honest and true patriots, who aro tho best qualified to fill tho position, regardless of political part ies." Ihould advise you all to purchase cotftfs of TH 8 ClUOAOO vAmehhjan roitd the declaration of principles, and Judge for yoursi lvos. Americanism demands that tho sacred institutions peculiar to tho American government bo maintained at all hazards by Americans. Itomo standi confessedly avowed tho em my of our public school sjstcin. Washing' ten aid: "IK-ware of foreign Inter' ventlon In American affairs." Every' one knows that Lo XI I. and his Italian emissaries are continually In- terferlngnn American affairs. J It un-American to repel these at tacks; and is it un-American to do this by using tho samo method, employed by tho enemy In attacking me? Cunning, craft, deceit, and political trickery of every description has been brought to bear against the most cher ished institutions of American citizens. J la! lots, not bullets, Is the true Ameri can's weiiton of defense. Open politi cal warfare has failed to bring hint re dress. Ho therefore comes .together In secret conclave, and obligates himself toopjstso tho enemy by ousting him from oftlco. Is It un-American to meet in a secret society? Is It un-American to combine together to unite our votes againsta common enemy? What about the secret caucuses of all political par ties, and tho hidden counsels of cabi nets and parties In times of danger? So long as tho members of the A, P, A, do nothing immoral or dishonest, and do not violate tho laws of tho land they havo a right to meet In secret council and agree among themselves not to vote for certain persons. Tho un-Amorleanlsm Is not In tho actions of tho A. P. A., but rather In tho condition of affairs and unholy an tagonism to American Institution shown by ltoman Catholicism. It Is not always pleasnnt to do some things, but it Is sometimes expedient that they bo dune, Expediency, the salvation of tho republic, demands that the ltoman Catholics be defeated. Only one thing does Home fear and that is a powerful secret combination against hor unpatriotic machinations. My pa triotism, my love for America, my de sire to save my country, and herohcr- shed institutions, demand that I use against tho sworn enemy of true Amer- citnUiii the only weaion that will bring hor "to her senses. 1 contend that this Is American. Fourth As to the criticism that tho . P. A. is unconstitutional. Tho argument against tho constitu tionality of tho A. P. A. is as fallacious as that against its Americanism and IBs apparent discrimination In religion. Tho A. P. A. is declared by its critics unconstitutional, because they affirm that it discriminates against there llglonoftho Homan Cathollo citizen, and Is therefore a violation toarttclotl. of tho Uni ted StaUis constitution, which trlotism are all very well for after reads: "No religious toNt shall ever tie dinner oratory (vldo Archbishop Ire- required as a qualification to any office or public trust under, tho United States." Now it might bo a proper question to ask right here, "Do tho wordsv'Ilo- llglous qualification' refer to tho tak Ing of tho oath of office by tho candi date, or to tho motive of tho voter who places tho candidate in office. I b llevo that thoro Is a distinction, and that a fair, and wiuarejsstj ooulil.be ogitimatoiy 111 ado on that question, Hut tho criticism can be answered In another and perhaps more satisfactory way. I havo already shown that the A. P, A. is not opposed to the Homan Catholic citizen 011 account of his ro' llglon. On Jlio contrary, It Is because that very clause Is In the constitution of the United States that there exists today un A. P. A. it Is thi dlsorlm I- nation that being made today in every part of tho country in favor of ltomanlsm that has aromed this spirit of opposition. It has come to pass that the politic of tho country (especially municipal politics) has virtually passed Into tho hands of Irish Catholics all over the land. Head that remarkable article In tho current number of tho Forum from the pen of Mr. John Paul Ilaboock en titled "Tno Irish Oonuuost of our Cities," and you will soj tho force of my remark. Talk about "dragging religion Into politics," why, my friends, rollg- Ion has already goi control of politics, and 1 ho mission of tho A. P, A. is to drive hor out of politics and pluco her In tho holy and snpreme realm where she properly belongs. To obtain office now-a-davstha Amor- lean citizen must either become a Il4- man Catholic, or got their patronage, Tho fathers who framed our oonstltu- tlon never dreamed that such a state of affairs would come to pass. It Is a rwi- dltitm and not a nrlndnle that faces the American uoonle. lain kd to vot against the ltoman Catholic hecauso his church has committed Itself to a policy that Is a violation of tho consti tution of the United Slates, I contend that I am an American and an upholder of tho constitution when I comply with that request. Tno spirit that rules and iroverns In tho councils of ltomanlsm Is tho solrlt . . . tion of tho United States in narlloular. To veto agalust that man everywhere and anywhere is lith American and constitutional. Tho A. P. A. charge tho papal hie rarchy with hostility to our American liberties and wltn seeking to supplant them with thosplrltof servile oNidlcnco to the pope of Hume. The A. P. A. charges the papal hierarchy with plotting to overthrow our civil Institu tions founded upon tho will of the kh- pie, and to re-construct and found them IIIHin t! llf III A II. 1U. l.f I?,,..... Iho A. P. A. believes that tho prln- clple of tho papal hierarchy carried of Jesuitism, and the Jesuits aiotho irresiocnve 01 imwoimmy, coior, or re sworn enemies and undying foes of ro- "a10"' lM ll "lw,ur'tfco free schools, publican Institutions, and tho oonstltu- resolve that not one dollar of money out In this country means disloyalty to Amkrican from any wholesale news the state and disobedience to tho civil dealer. Your customers will want It. government. The A. P. A. charges Put it on your counter. rtcf mi cm Nt'MKRR 11 - " 'f thfl 1 hlrvl't with tt'tnf htMl ttv Nttt(MI kn i t ih 4 utUintf ih ib!u ti hittti wtm. Xh A. A. tvp-nttsh ! Hietr un. AwHiisn and ttivBvHnthr l.lnm, ami demotes hr twrrgjr to uphold rat hor Ihsn dtt thi ivwutlltiliini of ll..' l.ltd Ktt. I MUm-d I but sowiihI the prln clpsl ai-gumtMil ntrtnt this oifantia lion. Hear with nm whlla t offer a Word of inhoilstlim. Then' iievir was a lima when Amor c iuimI.mI Hie help of all pAlrl.tlli) r stlt ut .Ions mom than the dm at prowenU It Is a pity that there Is atuHVsslty for " such organisation as tho A. P. A. None deprecate that fact more than myself, hut ll cannot bo helped. I am atiiaed that some milliliters of tho gospel and Homo loaders of opinion should rlso and dunounci! with suuh vehemence and unthinking denuncia tion these organisations. 1 believe that they do It Imcauso they utterly fall to seo tho real cnust) underlying the A. P. A., and am not thoroughly alive to tho dangers that besot our bisly politic. We aro being litorally , forced by tho current of events to do something to save oursolvos from the schemes and ploUlnirs of the ultramon tane and Italian elements in tho Human Cathollo church. I am willing to accord all honor to Archbishop Ireland, and all patrlotlo ltoman Catholic citizens, who follow his lead, and who claim to havo no hostility to our publlo schools, and let me say rigut Hero mat there are thousands of Homan Catholics in this (Hiuntry who aro as patrlotlo and as loyal to our flag as wo are ourselves. But they con never become trulj patriotic until they break away from, l,1,JHB Influences, Protestations of pa- land's lato magnificent address to the Loyal Legion in Now York), but lot th archbishop and his followers come out from among their unpatriotic brethren, or else anvo tnem out irom tnetr mlds ",htya-o, will beliove ia thrlr patriotism. 1 ' Ono of two things Is going vJhappoa in tho near future: Either patrlotlo Americans will split tno Homan c .'.h- I olio church, or tho ltoman Cathollo tuurcn win spilt America I would not utinecessarlly arouse tho fear and antipathy of men, but when danger lies ahead of us, It Is well to seek a method of escape; when disease Is abroad It Is well to take steps toward Its eradication Wo have pursuud the do-nothing jsillcy long enough. We have taken soothing syrup from the Jesuit siioou long enough I It Is time wo wore doing something to protect ourselves. Every day from all parts of tho country, and every hour, come evidence of Homo's treasonable and un- American designs. Ltst Friday wo celebrated tho birth day of ono of tho noblest men America has ovr produced. A man whoso name Is the synonym for lllsjrty In every Am erican heart, whoo picture adorns tho multitudinous homes of our people more than that of any oilier American besides George Wahington and Aura- hara Lincoln I refer to Ulysses H. Grant. All honor to tho hero, the silent rimn of Galena, who now stoepa beside tho placid waters of tho pic turcsnue Hudson. Too message of this man, delivered by his own Hps to Am- erlcans, will never be forgotten as long as the Stars and Stripes shall wave over this frea and United people. He says: "The froo school Is th promo- lor ' thttt lnU)llljfnoe which Is to pre ,)rvu ,"' mo n"um' wa to ttV "''" iu" " v' near luture ' "' national xlslenco. I predict tbat tno uiviaing line win not 00 son's and Dixon's, but between patriot Um and intelligence on one side, and superstition, ambition and Ignorance on the other, Let us all labor and add all needful guarantees for tho more I ""'fi.'ct security of free thought, free ssocn, ami ireo prtss, pure morais, unfettered religious sentiments, anil of rights and privileges to all men. It I 1 appropriated to their support, shall bo appropriated to the support of any sec tarian school " Americans, we havo seemingly for gotten tholr words, and, now, to arouse us out of our lethargy, to awaken us lout of our sleep, to nerve us to action, liiHcuino, anong other Incentives, tUu agency of .his much abused, and yet marvellously vital organlit ttiou, known as the American Protective Associa tion. As one, I am willing to give It the right hand of fellowship and bid it I"C,I,I Ml,..,,l " Newsdkalkio can obtain Tkr J -