St. Paul daily globe., 1886-05-03
DEPENDS ON THE OATH
Cardinal Gibbons Explains That the Gath
olic Church Does Not Condemn
the Knights,
Unless They Take Such Blind Pledge
as the Free Masons or Odd
Fellows.
Trades Unions Seeking to Bind Them
selves Closer to the knights
of Labor.
Rfotous Strikers at Grand Rapids
Boston Junior knfghts--Tariff
Demonstration.
A Very Clear Explanation.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, May 2.-The condemna-
ton Of the Knights of labor by Arch
bishop TaSchereau Of Quebec has aroused
widespread interest in regard to the atti-
tude of the church toward labor OrganiZa-
tiOnS. In order to get an authoritative
statement on the subject, the GLOBE cor
respondent called on Cardinal Gibbons,
who is in the city, looking after legal mat
ters connected with the Catholic university
projected by the plenary council. The
cardinal gave his views fully, as he desired
to lemove some false impressions which
have lately gained circulation. Said he:
Archbishop Tascherau's condemnation Of
the knights of Labor should not be taken as
the sentiment of the church towards the Or
ganization. l am not familiar with the labor
troubles in Quebec, but it is certain that the
archbishop's hostility grew out of some local
laws or conduct OF the Knights which are
contrary 10 the doctrines Of the church. AS
TO the knights of Labor organization in the
United States, have rot thoroughly exam
ined their constitution or studied their pur-
poses, yet from reading the newspapers and
MIR. POwDERLY'S S PUBLIC STATEMENTS,
infer that the objects of the knights are
praiSeworthy and in no way opposed to the
views of the church. The Catholic prelate
will to q man declare in favor of the organi-
Zation of labor. There can be no wrong in
such q course. Organization is the basis of
all progreSs-poltical, social and religious.
Only when it is abused does the church raise
her voice and call out her Children
WAS it not on account of secret pledges
taken by the Knights that Archbishop
Taschereau hurled on them his anathema!''
asked the correspondent.
THAT I do not know replied the cardinal.
''As l told you, have no knowledge of the
workings of the local societies in Canada.
Whether or not such pledges are taken by the
Knights here is a question on which more
light should be thrown by their leaders. Vicar
General Conway of Chicago who examined
the constitution of the body carefully, as
sureS me that it bears no resemblance to
that of the Free MaSOns Odd Fellows, and
other societies which the church has always
antagonized. A distinction must be made,
too, as to the nature of the secret pledges.
As the church has been greatly misrepre-
sented on this point, would like you to state
clearly its points. We hold that if man
joins society,
SWEARING NEGER TO REVEAL
any of its workings, no matter how criminal,
and to obey the dictates OF its officers blindly,
he surrenderS his perSonOl liberty, becomes a
slave to his fellOWman and cannot partake of
the sacraments Of the church. Such an oath
is taken by the prevalent secret societies.
hence their condemnation by the clergy. On
the other hand, if u man joins an organiZa-
with the proviso that nothing therein shall be
contrary to the laws OF the land, to his con-
science and religious tenetS, We hold that his
action is perfectly justifable. The whole
question as TO the church's attitude towards
the Knights Of Labor depends on which Of
these OathS the members take. If the latter
and their purposes are in accordance with
Mr.. POwdervS statements, then the church
says to the knights, God speed you. If how
ever, the absolute, blind pledge is taken, no
matter now laudable the objects of the soci-
and will call on her children to Withdraw un-
der the pain of accommodation. So every
thing
DEPENDS ON THE PROvISO.
Don't understand me as criticising Arch
bishop TaschOreau. He is the primate of the
church in Canada, and would not have taken
such decisive action without a firm convic-
ton that the local Knights had something in
their laws or pursued some methods that were
against the churchs doctrines"
rs it true that the pope win condemn the
Knights Of Labor as was cabled recently from
ROne?''
Il understand that the pope is examining
the constitutivn,' 'but what the result will
be cannot say. Anyhow you may state his
course will be regulated by the principles
have stated regarding the churchs doctrine
on secrecy
Does the church condemn the action Of
the striking knights who by force prevent
others from taking their places?'
Most certainly so," replied the cardinal.
while every man has a right to stop work
whenever he pleaSeS, he is not justified in
preventing others from selling their labor at
whatever price they wish, and if he does so
he sins against the laws of the land and the
laws of GOd.''