The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-10-18
A MENACE TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

of general sentiment in the national
Democratic party. You will find no
such declaration in the Utah Republi-
can platform. We do not know of any
in the public declarations of that par
ty il other parts of the Union. But
the Democratic conventions and the
Democratic press throughout the coun-
try emphatically condemn secret, oath
bound political combinations.
The reason for this is the entrance
into politics and into public affairs
generally of the society commonly
known as the A. P. A. 1t has one or
two camps, or lodges or whatever you
please to call them, in this city. It is
therefore a matter of local interest and
importance. The ostensible point of
! its organized attack is the Roman
Catholic Church. The real issue in
volved is the religious liberty of Amer
lean citizens.
The oath taken by members who are
sworn into the Order has been publish
ed many times. Following are its
main points, as obtained for the press
by persons who have entered the So
ciety for that purpose:
II furthermore promise and swear
that | will not countenance the nomin-
alton, in any caucus or convention, of
Roman Catholic for any Office in the
gift of the American people, and that
will not vote for nor counsel others
to vote for any Roman Catholic. but
will vote only for a Protestant. so far
as may lie in my power; should there
be two Roman Catholics upon opposite
tickets. | will erase the name off the
ticket | vote. That I will endeavor at
all times TO place the political positions
of this government in the hands of
Protestants, to the entire exclusion of
the Roman Catholic Church, of mem
bers thereof. and of the mandate c.
the pope. To all of which 1 do most
solemnly promise and swear, so help
me God. Amen, Amen, Amen
Il furthermore promise and swear
that | will not enter into any
controversy with a Roman Catholic
upon the subject of this Order
and in all grievances l will seek only
Protestants, and counsel with them, to
the exclusion of all Roman Catholics,
and will not make known to them any
thing of any nature matured at such
conferences"
81 further solemnly promise and
swear that I will not employ in any
capacity a Roman Catholic, if I can
procure the services of a Protestant"
This is in direct antagonism to the
spirit of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. which forbids any religious
test for office or the elective franchise.
1t is hostile to that religious
freedom guaranteed by the first
amendment to the Constitution.
1t is at discord with the
sentiment of liberty which animates
the breast of every true patriot and
lover of humanity. 1t is inimical to the
body polite and a menace to good gov
eminent.
Take away the liberties of the Catho-
lie today. and the freedom of the Nor
mon NAV be attacked tomorrow, and
then may follow the rights and i'm
munities of other religious bodies, when
ever they are found obnoxious to the
political notions or aspirations of the
secret, oathbound cabal which thus
seeks to dominate public affairs.
Why is it that Republicanism does
not denounce it? Because it is really a
branch or offshoot of that system OF
political heresX and its members are
chiefly Republicans in party politics
working for Republican ends. 1t may
be objected to this that the Tribune de-
nounces it. Quite true. But there are
personal reasons why that paper should
oppose it. That is not the general
course of Republican papers, although
as great men as Lincoln and Grant ut
tered their strong voices against Know
nothingism of which the A. P. A. is a
fitting successor.
Those who know declare that the A.
p. A. has secured a large proportion
of representation in the Republican
convention recently held in this city
1t has its candidates up for important
offices. 1t boasts of having the balance
of power 1t grows Independent as ii
wakes strong. 1t is an element which
ought to be expunged from politics. Nc
| liberal-minded American citizen could
long remain in such society or be
/ bound by it's intolerant and repulsive
oath.
We consider it the duty of the Demo.
cratic party not only to denounce it as
| il has done in its platform, but to op
pose its insidious assaults upon the
! liberties of citizens and its attempts tt
obtain control of the local government
Every nominee of the A. P. A. ought tt
be defeated in the coming election, and
good men of all parties should unite il
securing that defeat. 1t is not only one
man but others who are members Of
the association whose names appear OF
the local Republican ticket. They
should be buried out of sight by the
ballots of free and indignant citizens OF
| the 9Th of November
These remarks, however, are not in,
tended foi mere party purposes, al
though we think the only safeguard
against the present A. P. A. attack i.
to elect the Democratic candidates, bu
are directed against an evil that is
away beyond party interests in i'm
portance. No man, whether Catholic OF
| Protestant or Atheist, should be barred
frCm Office or employment or any righr
| or privilege of a citizen, on account Of
| his belief or religious or irreligious aft
liations. Religious tests must not bt
applied. They are un-American, they
are hateful, they are murderous of hui
man rights. The people of Utah should
see to it that such a monster does no
succeed in ruling the state about to be
crowned with the. diadem of local soy.
ereignty.
THE COUNTY CONVENTION.
The Democrats of this county who
meet in convention today have an inn