New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-02
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
TIE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP BILL.

, FRANK STATEMENT FROM CATHOLIC PRIEST.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: am a Catplc priest, and what may
surprise m)re than one ignorant worshipper NJ 'he
political shrine Of Tammany Hall. am RepuDnc'''l
In politics. YOu however. are doubtless aware tIla1
fr several wears past large and steadily increasing
detection from the Democratic ranks has been gong
on among the Catholic clergy and laity. j am gad
Of that and hope II viii continue until the on'"ono
voters will be- at least, about equally dvneo Deo"c
the great political parties so that hclt"er parry
can boast OF carrying in liz brooches poehe'
as tho Democrats have bOasted and have done, 700,
for 80 many years; and while lavish o US IN sou
words and glowing promises, have usually be'fa'ed
lis az the polls and the defeat OF tho candl-
date who happened TO be Catholic. or the measure
which favored just and rghtful Catholic interests
II Is high tf7ic this game was stopped we nave
never asked for favors but only To be placed OH
a perfectly equal footing with fellow citizens,
he they OF what faith they may. We have never
descended to the meanness to say nothing OF Its I'M
American spirit Of cutting candidate at the polls
because he was a Protestant There appears TO be
enough OF such bigots In both parties to enect
defeat OF our claims for equal rights when they Glucose
10 do So But that will not prevent our going on,
claiming them Just the same. hoping and praying
for the Increase Of fair mindedncss on the part OF
others and the decrease OF ignorant and blind preju
dice. We know that truth and justice VIII ultimately
prevail
Now I want to lay two facts before tho minds
OF both Republicans md Democrats for their serions
consideration. First. this Is Presidential year; SEQ
ond the poll OF Catholic votes In this state Is very
large. 1t has already been shown that there is
danger in wantonly insulting MS on account of our
religion. There will be moro danger in attempting
% defeat this time. whom we arc again honestly
demanding Constitutional rights.
Tho Freedom of Worship bill has already passed
the senate ard We know who voted for II. and who
denied US their SURFACES that tens OF thousands OF
Catholics might enjoy the Rights guaranteed them by
Article I. Sec 3. Of state Consultation winch rehds
The free exercise and enjoyment Of religious pro-
fesslons and worship without discrimination or pref
ercncc shall forever DC allowed in this state TO all
n~knd.'
need not dive tho text Of the bill here. Every
body knows g. and Il ought to Do evident to any
man OF common sense that It's provisions are per-
fcctlv fair and Just despite the false and silly obleo-
lions made 10 Il in speeches before committees ana IN
widely circulated documents. II is righteous bin.
IL asks for no favors It claims for those who VIII
benefit by its provisions nothing that IS not clearly
within their constitutional rights which the state Is
Internationally bound in duty 70 It's own honor. M
also t. It's long defrauded oEons 10 see that they
get.
believe This IS the ninth effort made TO secure these
rlrhs. Judging from the character Of the opposition
the iii has always and by whom such opposition
by gross religions bgotry. What personal luminosity
OF this shameful sort & ere he among our present
legislators | am not prepared 10 say but there Is
plainly plenty Of Il nmcng trci constituents. who
nYt finn, t. hing ther influence to bear to defeat
the measure oHcc agir.
But wave tho flag OF winning. Tlhs IS a Prcshen
sl year. and neither party AFFORD to bear tho DIS
credit u it, defeat least OF all tho Republicans. yho
am sorry 20 saw have this and other states shown
A decided partisan antiCnthoic policy, although 70
their credit be IL sad. they generally open about
r. and have not spoken us fair to the face and then
stabbed us Ia the back "a the Democrats have done
II has been said that the Democrats arc going TO
play the old game with IL, They counting upon
thore LeIn. "a notable number Of opposing Republican
stion before committees and " getting up petitions
aniust tho bill il chiefly the work Of men who to tho
plrty's disgrace ard harm. rally around the Republican
nng and vote itS ticket. Then by adding lust enough
votes 81 secure the defeat OF the bill 10 render II
Ineffective by amendments. thy will manage to throw
all tho blame upon the Republicans. and sing their
Old song o. lOu we did our very best for yOl
bnt the Republicans ALWAYS against Catholics. YOU
know
You" lndccdi Before election how swcetIy 1t
was "wcr and us
II won't do We understand TINT game are fools
n we don't for II has been PLAYED often enough We
know that either side Of the House seourN tho pas
zgc 90 the b IL 10 wishes - do 80, and probably nS0
can defeat Il. But they cannot hide from where
the responsibility viii rest. II the Republicans are
Wise Ia this juncturc they will give their adhesion 60
tho bin just IL came from the Senate, by strict
party vote ard thon will let the Governor take the
,pOnsbllty OF vc0Ing il, II he thinks he can safely
do
But this much i true: We arc not going TO support
Those who in the face OF nil honesty and justice per
-ist In denying 10 cur plain Constitutional rights
to Freedom OF Worship. FLAT JCSrITIA.
N.N h.ns.N