St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-21
AGAINST CATHOLICS.
Expose Of the Character and
Workings of the Anti
Catholic Society.
Organized to Oppose the Elee-
tion of Any Catholic to
Office.
its Declaration Of Principles,
Oath, Workings, Signs,
Grip, Etc.
"How Does This Weather Suit
You, Brother," This
Morning.

An element has made its open appear
ance in the politics of Minneapolis this
campaign that has eXerted secret and
hidden influence which can hardly be
gauged, and, until recently, could not
be definitely located. 1t is a nameless
organization. with meetings hidden un-
der the cover of the night, with signs
and grips. Its members are bound by
oath to accomplish one chief object--the
prevention of one class of citizens
from being elected to Office because of
their religious belief. In lieu of any
better name, it has been denominated
the Anti-Catholic society. although anti
American society would be perhaps
more applicable, because the object of
antagonism is the Catholic citizen whose
participation in making and enforcing
the laws it seeks to prevent. 1t is need
less TO say that this society is made up
largely of men who have sought to ad-
vance
Their Political Ambitions
by preyiug upon the prejudices and
fears of some and the bigotry of others.
The preteXt is. of course, the defense of
the public schools from the imaginary
hostility of the Catholics, who in
Minneapolis have neither collect
lively nor individually sought to
oppose the public school system in any
way, but. on the contrary, have always
striven to assert their entire loyalty to
American institutions. Some well-in-
tentiOned men have Joined the society
doubtless through honorable motives,
but in the majority of such cases, when
the utter setfishneSS and unfairneSS of
the men in control has been re-
vealed to them, they have practically
ceased to be brothers" and have not
identified themselves actually with the
movement Still, the fact that this So
cIety, whatever its character and pur-
pose, has eXerted an influence and ac-
complished results. has been abundant
ly demonstrated in the recent city and
county conventions of the Re-
open fight was made for and
against certain candidates, which re-
suited in the nomination of certain anti
Catholics or brothers, and the defeat of
others who were. either Catholics or nom
SympathiZers with
The st!Anti's Movement.
Concerning the appearance of the
adherents of this society in the county
convention the Tribune had the follow
Ing to say at the time:
THE contest was precipitated as chal-
Ilenge to try strength by secret and name
less league that is known in general way as
the anu-Catholic movement, and that is
working darkly, for reasons no means eXpli-
cable, to capture the Republican party here
abouts., This cIandestine element was
especially in earnest to secure legislative
nominations; and it is alleged TO have made
combinations of various sorts which gave it
a formidable strength in the convention.
The Tribune cannot comment very intel
hgenty upon movement that is so
Velled and so mysterious. 1t can only
say that secret political organizations do not
seem TO our wisest and most thoughtful men
70 pe necessary or proper and that the open,
frank method of political agitation is the
only justltiable one in this free country
The Republican party will not sacrifice
any public interest to a denomination
Tor 1t is strictly secular OrSaniZation that
Is broad enough to include men of all creeds
Ne1iher Will 1t permit itself to become the
instrument of any fanatical know nothing
movement that stabs and persecutes in the
Catholic. 1t is not anti-Methodist or
anti-Lutheran, nor is it pro- any
sect whatsoever. 1t is frankly and
stalwartly patriotic, and it expects all its
their denominational jangling outside their
political work. The Tribune does not know
nor ask who belongs to this alleged secret
order, nor what part it played or endeavored
to play yesterday. 1t is not the purpose of
TINS paper to reprimand or rebuke anybody
on that score, but only to argue openness.
fair play and mutual confidence among Re
publlcanS."
The contest the Tribune refers to
started in with the selection of a chair
man and was afterwards chiefly mani
fest in the struggle over the nomination
Of nr0hafn ln6oQ nd IT,, H.
case OF the probate judge it was under
stood that the efforts of the ''antes''
were
Crowned With Success.
In the city convention the antis raj
lied about E. q. Potter for mayor and
he was elected. The cIoven hoof
was also exposed in one or two
OF the aldermanic contests. Since
the conventions were held the
better class of Republicans, as
attested by the article quoted from the
Tribune, have been up in arms against
the introduction of so dangerous and
dlsplcable an influence, and have openly
denounced the movement. 1t is nc
longer popular now to be an ''anti,' u
and the society is conducted
with greater secrecy than ever
Men who few months age
were soliciting members now proclaim
that they never belonged to the society
There are others who are even bol6
enough to claim that there is no sucI
organization. For the benefit of this
latter class, as well as the pub
lie in general, the GLOBE pro
poses to make certain revelations
Wnlch Will demonstrate not only the eX
lstence, but the character of the society
by making the following extracts from
the ritual OF the 'Anti-Catholic Society
or Order of Deputies" the authenticity
of which can be demonstrated.
NATIONALITY NO BAR TO MEMRER
SHIP.
CONFIDENTIAL.
In view OF the intolerant. persistent, ag
gresslVe efforts of Romanists. their eyiden
determination to control the government O
the United States and to DESTROY our ciyi
and religious liberty, l desire to submit II
you the following questions:
l. Are you Protestant from principle anC
fromchoice?
2 Are you in favor of preserving consti
tutlonal liberty and maintaining the govern
ment of the United States?
3. Do you regard Romanism as the enem
of civic and religious liberty?
4. Is 1t not, in your opinion, unwise ant
unsafe TO appoint to civil. political or mill
tary office in this country men who owe al
legiance to the bope of Rome, and who hay
sworn to obey him?
3. Are you i'll favor of maintaining tn
principle of one general unsectarian fre
school organization?
9. Are you opposed to all attempts to us
the public funds for any sectarian purpos
whatever?
z. Are you willing to be governed by thes
principles in your future political actions?
:. Are you willing to unite, with other
who hold these principles and hencefortl
devote Yourself to the prOtectiOn and mel