The record-union., 1894-10-04
CURRENT CONFLICT OF cREEDs.

We are told by those having excellent
opportunities for knowing the truth of
what they assert, that conflict exists be-
tween the Catholic Church and certain
Protestant elements in this State, which
Is to be an important factor in determin-
ing the result of the State election. Our
observation confirms this testimony, and
we note the fact with unfeigned regret.
There is an organization known as the
American Protective Association. This
IS a secret organization, having for its
@stensible objects the preservation of the
public school system of the country. OF
ITS tenets, its oaths, or it's rituals we
know nothing. We have no other knowl-
edge of the principles of this organiza-
ton than are vouchsafed in its public
manifestations. An open organization
having for its object the promotion of
non-sectarian popular education would
receive our unqualified support.
1t is charged, however, by the oppon-
ents OF the society that its objects are pro-
scriptlye; that it seeks to place those
holding to the Roman Catholic faith un-
der civil disability; that it is, in short, a
secret political organization, having for
Its great central idea the prescription of
certain class of citizens of this country
because of the peculiar religious tenets to
which they hold.
Again we say that we are not in posses
sion of the necessary knowledge to affirm
or deny this statement. 1t is known,
however, that the organization is meeting
with strong opposition at the hands of the
Catholic citizens Of the country, and that
proscriptive feeling is being engen-
dered. This feeling is gaining intensity,
and is becoming more public in its mani
testations daily.
1t is said, and from reliable sources,
that the nomination of the Hon. B. D.
Murphy was defeated through the efforts
OF the members of the American Pro-
tective Association, and that the State
Democratic Convention was influenced
in its choice of candidate by the fear of
the proscriptive votes of members of the
secret order.
1t is said with great confidence and
from many sources that James Budd, the
candidate of the Democratic party, will
lose many adherents because of the sup
posed concession made to this element by
the Democratic State Convention. This
statement comes to us from so many re-
liable sources that we are forced to con-
clude that it has foundation in fact.
We are also informed that politicians,
as is their wont, are carrying water on
both shoulders, and some at least have
private arrangement with both parties in
this contest. Already there are indica-
tons of embittered feeling, as witness the
deadly assault of one policeman
upon another in the City of Los Angeles,
growing out of a quarrel in which reIi-
gious intolerance on the part of both was
the melting cause.
One of the great principles upon which
this Government was founded was that
of perfect religious toleration. The most
deadly blow that can be dealt to bigotry
and superstition is free conscience. JEFF
ferson, to whom, more than any other
man, we owe the model of American in
stitutions, declared as automatic that
''error may be tolerated If truth is left
free to combat it." The proverb, ''the
blood of the martyr is the seed OF the
church, is an expression of pro-
found philosophy. having wide reach
ing 81 ignificance. The persecution of any
sect intensifies its sectarian partisanship
and thereby confers upon it growth.
The fundamental corner stone of
this republic is the doctrine
that government derives its just power
from The consent OF the governed; that is
to say. that government has no higher
an uthority than man. While this doctrine
II. naintained-and we do not peileVe
that it can be overthrown in this eoun-
trv-goyernment and religion VIII Dc
things separate and apart from each other.
The right of the exercise of private Judg-
nsnt in matters of faith is all the reiig-