The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-10-16
WHOLE NO. 1923.


are less in harmony with it on politi-
cal grounds than they are with the
principles and measures Of the Dem
ocratic party. IL is a well-knowr
fact that the great majority of Cath
olic citizens, not only in Pennsylva
MIA, but also in most of the other
States, vote the Democratic ticket.
Yet, in the face of this fact, the
leaders and msnipulators of the Dem
ocrstie party seem, of late years, tc
have entered upon race with the
Republicans for the favor of the
Know-Nothings, avowed toes as they
are to Catholics and to Cstholieity
This Is simply heaping insult upon
injustice, in q way which every
Catholic Democrat who respects him
self and values. as he should value,
his position as free man and eiti-
zen, should resent. We are referring
now not to the fact that Catholics are
systematically ruled out whenever
they are candidates for important OF.
fees That they can endure, how.
ever keenly they NAV feel the injus-
tice and indignity involved 10 thus
ostracising them on account Of their
religion. But when it comes TO ex-
pecting them to support with their
influence and with their votes, Know
Nothings, men who would disfran-
ehise them, rob them Of their civil
rights aud their religious freedom,
trample them into the very dust, il
they could, it is expecting what Cath
olic citizens should not eoncede, and
what those OF them who duly sp-
preeiate the dignity, the responsible
ties, and the rights of free citizenship,
will not concede
The subject comes home to every
Catholic Democratic voter in Penn
sylysnia in connection with the ap-
preaching election In the present
Democratic nominee for Governor OF
tue State, we have a marked instance
OF the utter unconcern and contempt
habitually shown to the feelings Of
Catholics. Andrew II Dill has
taken an active part 10 Kno~NOth-
ing conventions and public meetings,
10 making know-Notbing spec hes,
in organizing Known Ithing lodges
and societies. Yet in the fac, Of all
this, the managers of tn Democrat
ic party in Pennsylvania coollY solic-
it for him the votes Of Cathol c citi-
zens, as though we had Meth intel
ligenee or self respect, bu, We : sim
ply herd Of cattle, wb. +. ,iness
it was to travel the road that partisan
leaders and drivers mark out for Us
Is il not time for Catholics to think
of these things and show that We have
some independence, some manhood
about us? that we are not pack Of
unthinking fools? that in the party
10 whose support we contribute such
an immense number of votes, we
have some claim to be respected
Is it not time to show that we can
feel what is downright insult, and
that we have the independence and
the courage to resent il?
Just look at it. The Catholic
Democrats of Pennsylvania consti-
tute at least one-third, probably two
fifths of the Democratic voters of the
State, yet the Democratic party
managers have not only never, 50 far
az we can remember; nominated gay
staunch and well-known Catholic for
an important State Office Except in one
single instance), have not only set
them aside because they were Cath
olics, whenever their nomination
was proposed, bat, in utter contempt
of what might De reasonably pre-
sumed to be the feeling Of every
Catholic worthy Of the name, they
have nominated for Governor of
Pennsylvania a man identified with
an organization whose distinguish
ing characteristic is hatred OF them
and their religion-an organization
which has written its record in the
light Of burning Catholic churches
and converts, to which its bigoted
members applied the incendiary
torch, and whose triumphs consist
in the insults they have heaped upon
Catholic priests and members Of
Catholic Religious Orders, the SLAM
ders they have invented and promul-
gated, the prejudiees and hatred they
have deepened and intensified wher-
ever their influence has extended
This is the organization which A d.
II. Dill, the Democratic candidate for
Governor of Pennsylvania, helped to
strengthen and build up, to whose
progress and growth be devoted
whatever of ability be possessed
And yet the Catholic Democrats Of
Pennsylvania are asked, or rather
not asked, but expected and required
by their party leaders TO support him,
their sworn toe. and the foe Ct their
church and religion, with their votes,
and to invest him with the honors,
the responsibilities and the power
attached to the Office of Governor Of
Pennsylvania.
Is not this too much =! Are Catho-
lies not yet tired Of putting in Office
men who turn round and insult them,
and who if they could, would tram
pie them into the dust ?
We have kept silent until further
silence would be both dastardly aud
criminal And now we speak out,
because every feeling that belongs to
true manhood, every sanction and
guarantee that attach to our position
as free American citizens, valuing
our own rights, and respecting the
rights Of others, constrain and COM
pei Us to speak We have INDUCED
in no generaiities or surmises. What
We have said is based, not on con-
lecture, but on certain kRoWledge
We know whereof we speak, and
have proof for every word we have
written.
This is no partisan matter 1ith
Us. In no such sense do We now
bring it TO view. 1t is a matter
which has to do with our rights. aud
the rights OF every Catholic voter. as
American citizens and it is in this
connection and relstion that we speak
of it.
For Know-Notbingism. be il ever