Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-11-12
Editor Repubticaa {:

o"osG w NO ioos, yeI sucIc Is HO Ont
who does not perceive that the real spirit
which animates him is one of bitter ibigotry
and. that although he pretended at first on
ly to reprove the pastor of St. Bernard's
personally, his real object was to vent bis
spleen against Catholics in general and
raise howl against what he terms 'sRo.
manism.' II is to be hoped, for the honor
of she American people. that such conduc,
will not commend any man to their esteem
When Mr.. Cummings commenced this dis.
cusson he submitted to the public, as near
as can remeber, the following charges
lst That trains had been char tered on Sun
day; I'd That they arrived at an unseason-
able hour; Sd That there was an armed
procession; 4th That the devotons of the
day degenerated into riotous cheer 9Th
That che banner s'personal liberty was
1oated. Now there is not one of these
charges which has not been triampha tt y
upset. The first seems now to have been
dropped. The second has been explained in
a way to content any gentleman and if
any one IS not satisfied wi tn the explanation
given, then be it known to him that he de-
serves to be classed amongst those who are
neither of Heaven nor of Earth. Concern
ing the armed procession, let Mr.. Cum
mings come forward with his proof to show
that such procession for religious end, is
a violation of the Sunday. To the discus
sion Of this point, in detail, |, as student,
challenge him. That on the 14th, otSept
there was anything resembling riotous
cheer, I, who was there, distinctly, and en-
phaticaly deny The fifth charge was..the
gravest of all, by far, yet even it has
been as the public now knows. victori-
ously contradicted Here, then the discus
sion should have ended, and it would have
been far more becoming for Mr.. Cum
mings to blush for his work and allow OBJ
lvion to hide his humiliation rather than
come out under his own name and pursue
his malicious course. background on which
he stood has been washed from under his
feet, and he need not expect to find foot
hold on still more intirm SOIL The old
charges are now quietly laid aside, and in
their steal are substituted others. What is
now complained Of is, that, at some future
| time, the streets of Watertown may be so
obstructed by "Romanists" professions that
people cannot go TO Church This, it is said
happened in New York Such an argu-
ment, as this, is of course too puerile to be
seriously noticed. / might, however. say,
that for some years past have not been an
entire stranger to what takes place in our
metropolis; yet l never heard that the
streets Of New York had been impeded on
Sunday by any Catholic procession unless
one. 1t consisted Of several German Catho
lie Societies, from different portions of the
country, which happened''to be in New York
on Sunday and,passed in procession through
the streets to visit the churches. Again,
groat stress is laid on the selling of beer
without license. Now on such occasions
this is universal custom, and to the credit
of United States officials, be it Said they
have never taken action against it, May
it not then be reasonably presumed that
they tolerate it? Where then has been the
violation of the laws Of the country? Will
this explanation suffice? In speaking of
this subject, please, Mr.. Editor, favor me
with permission to draw your attention to
the wonderful accuracy of judgment, dis
played by Mr.. Cummings in approaching
the Importance of a mans moral act. 1t
was an awful violation of the law to do on
the l4th, what every one does, or, at least
may do, but it was mere trife to sanction
the hosting Of the banner with the deep
meaning words 'personal liberty" True,
1t is unbecoming in a man to object very
strongly to q motto which is the ground,
root, and life of the religion he processes.
But examining this device, as do with
the eyessof citizen of this Republic, de-
n ounce it as simply infamous. What Mr..
Cummings thinks it a grave crime, to profit
by the leniency Of authority; but mere bag
atelle to declare oneself the supporter of Q
revolutionary emblem, which is subver-
sive of all law, lorder and runous to so :.
ciety. Of course one innocently, and as i
he were speaking idle words hurl an ae.
? cusation of this nature against man whose
services towards his faith and native land
entitle him, not only to the venera ton Of
of his co-relig ionsts, but to the esteem o
every true American.
: But Mr.. Cummings stronghold is tina
beer was sold, at all. Now am Catholic
and as such am. bound in principle to re
prove every intemperance, whether it be
, called gluttony, fanaticism or drunkenness
Besides when practiced with an enlighten
ed motive | admire total abstinence. | d.
contend, however, that beverages, such as
$ beer and wine, may sometimes be lawfully
used. And | would consider myself unreas-
enable to condemn as guilty Of immortality
those nations or persons who use them in
moderation as portion of their ordina ~
sustenance. Thus far, think there viii
be little necessity Tor differing in opinion.
Now, this being once conceded, who will
pretend to say that there is more evil in {
, mans purchasing glass of beer for his din
ner anymore than there would be in pro
curing for himselfa cup of tea, by mean
of pecuniary remuneration ? Can this b.
made any clearer But it will be sad that
there was an occasion of sin. Facts prove
that in this case the occasion was very
slight. Butt there not an occasion O.
/ sin in almost everything? Are not pistols
, knives, razors, the exposing Of merchan.
disc, silver, brick bats, food, and even PEG
pie themselves, the occasion of sin, and arr
these things to be done away with, solely
because they may may be abused. There il
no gathering of men, where something may
not occur, which the christian should de
plore-In the church, at the hastings, --ir
5 the Senate Hall, in Fairs, at the market anC
even in social reunions; still no man o.
sense thinks of aholishing those things be.