The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-11-04
THE A. P. A. IN CONGRESS.

religious organization known as the A.
p. A.. which has it's ramfcations in seve-
raj Of the western states, and is gradually
extending them eastward to the seaboard,
has at last been brought to the attention
OF congress by Representative Weadock,
of Michigan. In petition to congress
from Mr.. Youmans, a member of the last
House from the Eighth Michigan dis
trict, praying for the unssating OF William
s. Linton, who defeated Youmsns in the
last congressional election, grave charges
are brought against the A. p. A., which
is characterized "a "a secret anti Catho-
lie organization, similar TO the old know
nothing party, which directed it's energies
against all foreigners, particularly Cath
olics." Mr.. Weadock in speech when
presenting the petition stigmatizod the
organization as "traitorous and I'M
American" aud introduced resolution
calling for an investigation into the
right OF MIR. Linton to occupy his seat,
claiming that his election by this organi-
cation was illegal and invalid. While
Mr. Weadock was denounoing the A. P.
A. he was interrupted by two Republi-
cans, one from Maine and the other from
Illinois, but speaker Crisp declared that
the Michigander was Ia order to ask an
inquiry into the right of any gentleman
to seat in the House. Mr.. Weadock
thereupon applied the lash vigorously to
the obnoxious organization, but owing to
opposition encountered from the two Re-
pablicans mentioned, he withheld the
resolution until Linton himself was pres
ent to speak in bis own behalf and de-
fend the A. p A. Last Monday he pre-.
sented the memorial from Mr.. Youmans
and renewed the attack. Mr.. Youmans,
who is Democrat, set forth that Linton
and his supporters represented to the
voters that he was Roman Catholic,
and that the Pope would control his vote
in congress if he was elected, The oaths
taken by members of the A 2. A. accom-
panied the memorial as we'll as exhibits
OF letters and circulars sent ont by it's
officers during the campaign. These
documents were full Of hostility to
Roman Catholics and called upon
call true and loyal Protestants' to vote
for Linton and against Youmans. The
oaths taken by the members of the A.
P. A. were appended to the memorial
and are extremely un-American in their
character. There appears to be good
reason why Linton should be deprived
of the seat which he obtained by the aid
of these rabid conspirators. Mr.. You
mans was defeated by misrepresentation
and on unconstitutional grounds. We
do not know whether be is Catholic or
not, but that makes no difference. No
American citizen should be deprived OF
his rights under the constitution because
Of his religious belief. The mau who
belongs to no religious organization and
the man who does, stand on an equality
under the laws of the land. From the
of the,republic the Democra-
tic party founded by Thomas Jefferson
has frowned on bigotry, and now that
the same psrty is in the majority in con-
grees it would be feather in its cap to
thoroughly investigate this election con :
test in Michigan and put the stamp OF
it's disapproval on the A. P. A. and kim
dred organizations by firing Linton from
the House and putting Youmans in his
seat.
The Republican party is doomed to
speedy destruction if it encourages such
an odious cut-throat organization as the
A. p. A. That party has undoubtedly
been controlled in it's conventions by
these bigots. They dictate the candi
dates and oppose men who are not imbued
with their principles. In this city at the
inst Republican county convention they
defeated men for nomination who were.
supposed to be Catholics or devoid Of
religious prejudice. They issued circu
lars during the election giving the names