St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-13
A Puncturing argument.

A Puncturing Argument.
To the Editor of the Globe.
ST. PAUL, Mimi. Nov. al have
been accused of unduIy attacking the
A. z. A.. and, as that association num-
berS amongst its members some per-
sonal friends of my own and some who
are rightly held IN esteem, you would
confer tavor on me by giving me space
in your valuable journal to express
what Is considered by me to be the true
reason why the association should be
held up to puolic censure.
1t has come to my knowledge that the
A. P. a. justify their boycott of the
Roman Catholics on the principle of re-
taliation. 1t is claimed that the Ameri-
can Roman Catholics place their duty to
the pope first and their country second:
this is indeed serious charge, and
would be nothing less than charge Of
treason against any American citizen
who is follower OF the Roman Cath
Ole religion. That this charge is en-
tirely unfounded would appear to be
satisfactorily proved by the words of
Mgr. Satolli uttered with due consldera-
ton some time since. In the course of
his address he stated that with the
constitution IN the right hand and the
Bible in the left the Roman Catholic
Church would march TO victory" If
this expression means anything it means
that the duty that citizen owes to his
country is of the highest Importance.
II ar fnr Of
ment, and for the sake of argument
only. that the Roman Catholics had in
view the control Of all political power.
would it De good policy on the part of
any secret association to endeavor TO
destroy their influence by line of con-
duct which could only be carried out
by fragrant breach of the constitution
al rights granted to each American citi-
cen? Surely not. We are taught that
the only way to meet tyranny is 90
foster the true principles of liberty in
the hearts of the people. The only way
to avoid the aScendancy Of bigOtry is to
show true IaTgeness of mind. The only
reasonable mode to suppress crime is to
show due and proper regard for viz
tue
1t was said by the wisest of ancient
philosophers that if your neighbor in
Jures you be sure and do him kindness
IN return, for thereby you heap Goals of
fire Oh his head.
Now, has it ever been proved that the
Roman Catholics, as class, have sought
political power to the exclusion OF all
Others? Certainly not. 1t is true that
III this city persons happening to belong
to the Roman Catholic church have OBJ
TaI cd -,
Is little doubt that our Roman Catholic
fellow citizens are equally willing with
their Protestant brethren TO so far
forget the teachings OF their Master as
10 banker after the loaves and fishes:
but can it be shown that these Office
seekers and Office geIterS have turned
over even portion of their salaries to
the mother church? On the contrary. il
Is generally believed that they have
used their salaries for the support of
themselves and families, and in some
cases have INDUCED themselves in
luXurleS to the extent of neglecting the
fundamental rules of the church. In
deed, so far as their official life is con-
cerned. they have shown no more adj
herence to their church than 10 any
other. This abundantly proves that
they hold their offices as citizens and
not as Roman Catholics.
1t Is admitted to be the undoubted
right of every citizen of this republic TO
offer himself to his fellow citizens for
election to any Office in the gift of the
people, and it is equally open to any
citizen to record his vote or legitimately
use MS influence for or against any as
pirant for Office, and if the 4. P. a. had
entered into an agreement between
themselves TO support any eligible can
nl0afA ar n ri, e..
Office, irrespective of party, creed or
race, no right-minded mali would have
word OF censure to bestow upon them,
but could and would give them his IN
quahned sympathy and support But
when they come forward with a plat
form, having for its only important
plank the narrOw-minded idea that no
Roman Catholic should be allowed to
occupy any public Office, and should be
debarred from trading with or doing
work for any member OF the association,
the true citizen is struck with astoniSh-
ment, gaZes around and rubs his eyes,
and wonders whether he can be
living In a free country in the
nineteenth century, or whether he
has not by some chance slipped
on the galoshes Of fortune and been
transported to the doninions of the car
OF all the Russias. He thinks to him
self. Can it be possible, can any Ameri.
can citizen so far forget the first princi-
pie that the father of his country hand
ed down TO him as a legacy without
price, to be kept by him untarnished
and so transmitted to his posterity, as
to endeavor to persuade his fellow citi-
zen to endeavor 10 WORK against any
other fellow citizen on account of his
race or creed?
1t would accord me pleasure to learn
that l have been misinformed as to the
objects Of the A. Z. A. for it grieves
NE 10 have to hold up to public censure
any association numbering amongst its
members some really good, upright and
Just fellow citizens; but it appears TO
me to be the duty of every fair-minded
citizen, without fear or favor, at all
times TO hold up to reprobation any as
ISOLATION or body OF men who so tar
forget their allegiance to their country
as to endeavOr TO trample on her glori-
Gus constitution. BENIN DAVIS.