The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-09
The American Protective Association.

The american protective ASSOCIATION.
Newspaper readers who pay attention
to politics are familiar with the fact that
within the last few years there has sprung
up an unhealthful political and antl-Catho-
lie manifestation under the name of the
American Protective Association. tt
fourishes chiefly in the northwestern
states, though its origin has been traced
to Boston. So important a factor
in northwestern politics has it become
that within the twelve months IL has
elected municipal tickets in certain states.
Emboldened by its successes in the north
west which were, however, won amid
bloodshed and riots, the American Pro
tective Association has pushed its opera
tons eastward and southwark, and only
a few weeks ago it had the audacity TO
approach mem oers of the constitutional
convention of the state of New York
with some of its literature.
The association and its tenets are the
subjects of paper by Mr.. Frederic r.
Coudert, the eminent New York lawyer,
published in the Forum for July. The
paper, as the author acknowledges,
treats the subject with something like
contempt. The idea that there exists an
organized body of men in this country,
where religious liberty is guaranteed by
the constitution, who propose 10 ostracise
100000 of their fellow citizens because
they are Catholics, seems incredible, es-
pecially when the citizens sought to be
prescribed are as honest, as just and as
patriotic as any other citizens. The man
Hesitation is attributed to an evil germ
some where in the internal economy of the
political system, which leads to periodi-
cal paroxysms suggestive of the ague
The germ is raiiscovered at intervals by
pestilent agitators, who cultivate it that
they may personally reap a crop of bene-
fits.
The paroxysn which preceded the pres
eat one was in 1s44-'55. and was known as
Known othinglsm. The difference be-
tween that murderous craze, during which
churches and converts were sacked and
burned and nuns aud priests had to fee
for their lives, is only slight. Anti
Catholicism is at the bottom Of each
know-Nothingism was the more opeu and
direct Its cardinal principles were sim
pie and ineligible, teaching antagonism
to the pope and his church. The Ameri-
can Protective Association teaches the
same thing, but its principles are yelled,
its arguments are subtle and filed with
sophistry In its oath only is to be found
the main articles of the association. They
are, that no Catholic must ever be allowed
to occupy any ONCE in the gift of the peo-
pie, and that no Catholic must ever be
allowed the privilege of earning iveli-
hood in this country unless his labor can
not be replaced by that of a Protestant.
Discussing the means to the end of the
anti-Catholic crusade, Mr.. Coudert con-
cludes that the agitators used, and use,
four arguments. First, they appeal to
intolerance in religious beliefs, than which
there is no form of controversy more in
viting, no fashion of persecution more
congeniaL The prosecutor for conscience's
sake often deludes himself with the idea
that he is serving God and in some way
benefting his own soul. Second, the
Irish Catholics outnumber all other Cath
olics in this country, and an appeal to the
hatred and jealousy of the Irish race is
made. The Irishman's natural inclina.
tion turns to politics, which arouses DO
litical autagonism. Third, as the major
ity of Irishmen have hitherto acted with
the Democratic party, attacks are made
upon Irishmen because they are accepta-
BILE to many simply as a means of attack
ing the party with which the Irishmen
are identified. Fourth, it is asserted that
Catholics must be bigoted and intolerant
in matters of religious belief, and that
Digotry and intolerance should be sup
pressed.
The. American Protective Association
charges that American institutions are
threatened. Mr.. Coudert denies it. An
enormous majority of the people are in
favor of non-sectarian public schools,
hence the Catholics could not control
themi if they wished. But, as matter of
fact, so far from making an attempt upon
the school system, the Catholics have
spent millions upon millions of dollars to
erect schools of their own. meanwhile
paying their proportionate amount of the
taxes for the support of the common
schools. AS for the association itself, it
will presently go the way the Know
Nothing party went.