The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-27
He Addresses a Meeting Of Ministers
This Morning.
DEFENCE OF HIS OWN COURSE
Claimed Much OF His Time and Atten-
tIon--Incidentally He Considered
Some Other Matters In His Well
Known vein-Pubiio school Question.

The weekly conference OF the Baptist
ministers Of Providence and vicinity met
this morning in the First Baptist church.
After brief business meeting the con-
ference adjourned to the vestry
room where small audience had
assembled to listen TO Cen
raj Thomas j. Morgan, ex-Indian
commissioner, speak upon "Indian Edu-
o,tion and the Influence ct the Catholic
Church la Politics" After short devo-
tional exercises General Morgan man.
aged 10 I'LL W an hour with an attack
upon the Catholic church and defence
OF his own actions AS Indian commits
sioner.
General Morgan referred to the great
demand OF his presence as speaker. He
spoke of the abuse he had received from
the Providence newspapers, especially
one. He never read the sheet and
therefore paid no attention 20 It.
Yesterday. according 60 the Sunday
papers, petition had started from
Baltimore for government support for
parochial schools. This marks a new era
and the next three years will
ses a fight which will test the
patriotism and courage Of
every American citizen. The Catholic
church 10 a despotism with one man at
the head. This institution is an enemy
OF freedom Of thought, conscience. wor-
ship and liberty of all sorts. The
Catholics were few In numbers, and
their children imbibed ideas OF liberty.
Then commenced the onslaught on the
public schools. The result was the Bible
was taken out OF the public school.
Another Attack Made.
Then the public school syste m was at
tackled as hot beds OF corruption. But
many Catholics did not support this
movement. Therefore some Of the powers
of the Catholic church ret ognized that
they were running their head against a
stone wall. So Sartolli stopped this
and the tactics of the church were
changed. An article appeared in The
Tribune calling the pops typical Demo
crat. Astonishing ststemsnti The cir
cular of yester day does not find fault
with the public school. 1t says that
the schools do not teach religion. They
want the children brought up in q re-
ligious way.
The last election was great sweep Of
the Catholic power. They hsd New York
by the throat with Dave Hill on top,
when the bill for parochisl schools was
TO be introduced. But last months
election showed that the time had not
come. that the people were aroused and
indignant. A committeee was appointed
to stop any appropriation Of
money for this purpose. (Applause) Arch
bishop Corriasn, therefore, said some
thing must be done before IL was laid
before the people. Therefore this circular
has been issued 10 test the feeling
of the people When Catholic mayor
and councilmen are elected, a. may he IN
this city next week. the wedge will be
entered. IL Is the same old fight which
Luther waQed. The sentiments are but
an echo Of the sentiments of tboso martyrs
Of 1885,
Only tho Wedge.
This movement is but the entering
wedge. "The Catholic church Is a perfect
state, en- powered by God to do anything
TO accomplish their ends
Such is quotation from
Catholic authorities. 1t Is q contest Of
civilization. IL is a contest OF the belief
in Jesus Christ, who came TO give
liberty. A period of history 10 illu,tra-
tive OF Catholic affairs. President Hsr-
srison appointed him General Morgsn)
as commissioner of Indian affairs to salts
fy the educative and philanthroplc ideas
of the people. DR.. Dorchester had gone
into his work about two months
before this. He found good
many things that needed changing
He was not influenced by feelings against
the Catholics or by politics. He found
two things. First, many h,d boen sp-
pointed as teaches ETC., through politics.
This appointments was as q pay for ssr-
vice. Several said the Indian commission
was a dumping ground for those wishing
to get rid OF clamorous constituents.
In lis Own Behalf.
his method of conducting the Indian
tuseau and a defense OF his sctions ia
removing various officers. lie spoke
OF the pressure brought to bear by
politicians to control this Indian
commission. Another fact Was that
many Catholics were appointed because
they were Catholics and for no other
reason. DIR. Dorchester recommended the
dismissal OF several OF these teachers.
Efficiency was the standard for keeping
Catholics were they dismissed, but be-
cause they wero ,incnicient. Another
point WAS that systsm OF
contract had grown up in the indian
schools. A system OF parochial schools
bad slso grown up. The different
sscis each had their schools which
we're run by contracts. This
system he (Morgan) refused to extend.
The Catholics took alarm. They
determined TO make war upon him.
A COMMITTEES Of ecclssisstics waited
upon President Harrison TO de-
mand his dismissal. Then Morgsn's
character was attacked, and one OF your
Providence lights aided. The papers
were marked aud sent all over the coun-
try. The Democratic press as q
whole treated him with fairness
Thinks lie should Have Consideration.
The charge OF a dishonored soldier was
overthrown. Newspapers were not often