The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-11
SUNDAY. JUNE II, 1876.
The American Allinnce.

We have before us u letter criticising,
with too much bitterness, perhaps, the
principles and conduct of the American
Alliance. It, platform. we are told, IL too
narrow minded: its rule OF secrecy IL OBJ
Scctionable, and its proposal 60 exclude all
foreign-born cit zons from the elective fran
chse is utter folly. Let the Alliance make
hs crusade one against Catholics alone,
and IL will he on the right track for IL
will be strengthened says our correspond
snt, by "the thousands who are willing
and eager to join IN the fray against the
Josuits; and let the Alliance also beware
Of having themselves counted ~ Jesuits.'
We fear our correspondent Is mistaken
IN his views. II Is true that we have in this
country very large body of foreign-Oorn
citizens, especially those OF German birth,
who are more or less hostile TO the Catho-
bic Church, many of them, in fact being
hostile to every form OF Christian religion.
II the Alliance were to follow the advice
of our correspondent, 1t might certainly
count upon aid from this class OF people,
but, on the other hand, these Germans,
Protestants. Rationalists, and Irrelig onists
rs the ajonty of them are, are very large
y outnumbered by the Irish, CtnadiIns,
Italians. and other foreign-born citizens
who are devoted aud faithful Catholics.
Besides, all these Catholics would he sure TO
stick together and vote rs one man in any
election where their religion and their
right to believe according to the dictates
of their own conscience should be ut
tackled.
Our correspondent is too hasty and too
self concelted. The managers Of the Amer
kcan Alliance are shrewd AM circumspect
men. When they propose TO exclude all
foreigners from the right TO vote. it is not
because they dislike foreigners as such,
but because they think this Is the most cf-
fective way of making n political attack
upon the Catholic Church. They under
stand that If they should propose to revo-
mtionize the political foundations of the
country by inserting in the Constitution,
or enacting a law. that no Roman Catho-
lie shall be allowed to vote, they would
meet with a determined opposition not
merely from Catholics. but from all that
Immense majority OF our people to whom
the principle of civil and religious liberty
j. as dear almost rs life itself. And so they
take for their corner stone I'll, dogma that
none but nativc-born American citizens
shall enjoy the elective franchise and they
hope by that means aud under that dis
guisc to strengthen and operate the anti
Catholic sentiment, which is undoubtedly
very powerful, SO far that they may sue
coed in disabling the Catholic Church I'M
Gil II shall no longer he the fourth IN num-
bers and power in the list of our religious
bodies but the fourte, nth. or, II possible,
be driven out altogether.
Whatever objections may lie against the
principles and ends OF the American AL
hance-and we shall not attempt TO under
value these objectons-we suppose it
has adopted the most efficient way Of
laboring FOR the accompli Of its
great purpose. The sentiment II app, ais
TO is undoubtedly very deep and very III
fiuential in the minds Of an immense class
of voters; and the returns Of the Novem-
Der election will uneri ingiy show what use
the Alliance and the Republican patty,
working together rs evidently they must,
are able 10 make Of that sentiment.