Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-08-02
A. P. A-ism vs.. Catholicism.
To the Editor Of the Reflector

ms is SUBJECT tnat 1 generall,l
consider better to let alone. But
was both amused and grieved when
read the article in last nights paper
on the organization OLA. P. A. lodges
| was amused at the fact that it Il
necessary for movement in this age
Of civilization to apologize for its
existence, and grieved that it must
descend to falsehood to gain member
ship.
Judge Culver, il the REFLECTOR
quotes him correctly, made state
ments that he must, because Of the
relationship which he bears to the
order, know to be utterly and abso-
lutely false. He says I'VE antagon-
ize no religion" And again: "In
Emporia many prominent Catholics
who have come to understand our
principles are in sympathy with our
aims and have signed our petitions. "
For several days | had in my possess
sion circular printed by the Ameri-
can Eagle Of Kansas City, an A. P.
A. authority, given me by a
protestant gentleman Of this city who
informed me that he received it from
certain organization Of Abilene who
call themselves followers Of Christ.
| gave the circular to another
protestant friend Of mine who re-
quested it Of me.
This circular contained the most
ridiculous falsehoods against Catholics
and the Catholic church that a de-
PRAYED mind ever concocted. If those
circulars did not express hostility to
Catholics then am incapable of un-
derstanding the English language. If
it be not antagonism to religious
denomination to refuse employment
to its members for the sole and only
reason that they are members, then |
fail to understand what antagonism
means. Now we Catholics knoU that
we have been refused work by men,
bers OF the A. ?. A. for the sole and
only reason that we are Catholics.
And we do not need to 90 outside Of
Dickinson county for proofs that's
pathizers with this order have re-
fused to vote for men of their own
party for the same reason. II this be
not antagonism Of religion then burn
ing at the stake was not torture. II
it be not antagonsm of religious
denomination to pledge ones self to
not employ or aid in any manner
member Of or sympathizer with that
denomination and thus deprive him
and his family Of the means Of sub
sistence, in the name Of common
sense what isp This the A. P. A. do.
! do not wish to abuse anyone; and
in this it is not necessary. But |
want to say in answer to the second
quotation from Judge Culver, that
he : densely ignorant of his business,
or he states what he knows to be a
contemplate falsehood. And right
here challenge him and defy him to
give the name Of single "prominent
Catholic "in Emporia, or in the State
of Kansas, or in the whole wide world,
who is in sympathy with the aims of
his order, or who has ever signed his
petition knowing what it meant.
OF course Judge Culver has an
object in making these statements.
There are a great many people who
could be induced to join a patriotic
association that did not not attempt
to deprive lawful citizens Of their
rights but those people could not be
induced, under any circumstances, to
join an organization that has for It's
object the injury of their fellowmen.
Consequently, it is necessary for
these organizers to misrcpresent.
ROBERT II. KANE.