The Irish standard., 1892-12-10
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10. 1892.
A CATHOLIC FOR PRESIDENT.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10. 1892.
A CATHOLIC FOR PRESIDENT.
During the recent conference of the
American archbshops in New York, a
Baptist minister of the name Of Near
thur sprang into national notoriety by
firing a hot fusilade with his mouth
against the Catholic Church and it's eccle-
siastical leaders in this country. In the
course of his lnvective he exclaimed:
lit would not surprise me to find a Ro-
man Catholic presumiug to aspire to the
Presidency"
IF Rev. Macarthur only Invested him
self of religious luminosity and perused
the history and constitution of the United
States be wonld not be surprised If Ro-
man Catholics had a laudable aspiration
to fill the highest Office in the gift of the
American people. In the days Of the
Revolution, the Roman Catholics gave
abundant proof of their patriotism by
pouring out their life's blood like rain on
every battlefield from Bunker Hill to
Yorktown. So much did Washington
appreciate their services that in his fare
well address he paid them an eulogistic
compliment for their devotion and loyalty
to the American cause In the first Sec
tion of the articles Of amendment to the
constitution it is declared that Congress
shall make no laws respecting an estab-
lishment Of religion or prohibiting free
exercise thereof" Why then should Catho-
lies not aspire to reach the White House
and occupy the highest and most honor
able position in their country? They have
already filled every other Office, and
surely they are not debarred from the
presidency by any provision in the con-
stitution They have been on the SUI
preme bench Of the United States; they
have been governors of states, and sena-
tors and representatives in the national
capitol as we'll as in the various state
legislatures. They have been mayors of
the leading American cities, such as New
York, Boston, New Orleans and st. Paul.
They have been commanders and COM
modores in the army and navy and have
filled every position about as we'll as mon
of other cleeds. Whenever the country
has been in danger from domestic or
foreign foes, have not Catholics stood
shoulder to shoulder with the rest of
their countrymen in defense of our homes
and institutions? Why, then, we repeat
should they not be acceptable for the
Presidency? They are certainly as eligl-
BILE, according to the constitution, as men
of the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian
or Campbellite faith. They pay their
share for the support Of our government;
they are as loyal and patriotic, both col
lectively and individually, as citizens of
other denominations; they take an abid-
ing interest in the material, moral and
political progress of the country; and for
these reasons they are as much entitled
to aspire to and reach the presidential
chair as any others. Catholics have the
same rights and duties as their non
Catholic fellow citizens. They are
Americans in every sense, and none but
bigoted demagogues like Macarthur,
Fulton and men of that intolerant stripe
would raise their voices against them.
Ireland has set an example in religious
federation which Americans with all their
boasting of sectarian freedom would do
we'll to follow. The Catholics OF Ireland
never inquire into the religious beliefs OF
their public men. They ask the candid
ates for parliamentary and municipal
honors what their political principles are,
and if they are convinced Of their integ-
rity and patriotism they select and sup
port them for Office. Patriotism and not
religion is the standard by which they
are tested. Catholic Ireland made Par
nell, a member OF the EstaEli shed church,
it's national leader, and bishops and
priests gave him their ENTHUSIASTIC sup
port until he got into the divorce court
for moral turpitude. There are many
Americans who would never vote for
h James g. Blaine q Presbpt erian, because
Of his family connectipn with Catholics,
ana ~ strong are The Puritan judices
1tbat tl,ey alwisonld vote for the arch-enlemy
spf n,sn eterence % g Catholic 81