The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-19

to us all a glorious heritage. and which is.
in fact, the mother of all the denominations;
whose Lord and Master Is the Son OF Man"
STRIKING IN THE DARK
81 am opposed to secret political organiza-
tons on general principles" said Rev. DR..
Sims, pastor Of the Meridian-street NJ. e.
Church. mo man nor company OF men,"
he continued, should strike in the dark.
Political warfare should always be open. l
have great admiration for many phases of
the Roman Catholic Church. Its organiza-
ton Of hospitals. orphan asylums and shell
tiers seem to me to be in the genuine spirit
of Christianity. ! have known of its COM
Polling restitution of stolen property to my
own parishioners. probably through the in
fiuence of the confessional. A religious pow
er that compels restitution Is stronger than
one which simply induces repentance in
words. In 50 far as the Catholic Church
holds men to honesty and administers char
ity / honor Ii. But it's attitude on the free
school question is indicated in the struggle
in Boston a year or two ago, as declared in
the printed extracts from Father Gavisk's
address before the Century Club. and the
present contest for parochial schools at the
public's expense in Pittsburg seems TO me
TO call for the most emphatic condemna-
ton. and unless abandoned VIII compel poit-
ical action against the Roman Catholic
Church TO save our public schools and the
spirit Of our institutions. / would say TO that
church,, Il TeBdTuS any dlltiipN " NlNtAl
public money to the support or any school
under its control. hands Off
81 DO not believe In the A. p. A., but If
the Roman Catholic Church is to attack or
attempt TO undermine our free schools, then
it has given a just cause for the existence
of the A. p: A. or any other lawful organ
ization In the attempt TO thwart It's I'M
American purposes"
FATHER GAVfSK'S WORDS.
Father Gavisk, pastor of st. Johns
Church. smiled kindly when approached On
the A. p. A. question. He was asked if
the movement had brought upon itself the
official notice of the bishops of the church.
Not a word has been said," replied the
reverend father. because the priesthood
is losing no sleep over it. The question has
never been discussed in st. Johns Church,
and I think it never will be. There is moth
ing in it worthy of our attention. We have
no battle to fight and will go on managing
our own affairs"
Said Rev. CT. L. Macintosh, of the Fourth
Presbyterian Church, when approached for
are not able to Judge very accurately of
any movement while it is in process of de-
ve|opment. 1t is only after 1t has culmi-
mated, declined and been buried for some
time that one is justified in giving a final
opinion The principles OF the A. p. A.
friend of the public school system will be
willing. that public moneys shall sustain
of the Roman Catholic Church to secure aid
from the State no reasonable man can
doubt that this hope is sure to be blasted.
No State of the Union will ever be willing
to divide it's school funds with the Romish
Church or any other church. 1t is an ut
terly groundless assumption that this
church will ever be able to demand a par
tition of the funds. The Catholic Church
t fan s eaiyy Y h diRges TO fffrSoHTSf s of mgs.5 III InIs Go"n r.
must give up forever this idea Of parasit-
ism and stand on its own merits, if it has
any. merits. On the other hand, 1t may be
doubted whether the A A
is justified in assuming that ev-
cry, Catholic in the country is
willing to take up arms at a moment's no.
tice To wipe out the public schools. 1t is,
however, doubtless true that the Roman
Church is always willing to take a sly
hand in the issues of politics: This is nat
ural to it's history and traditions. There
Is ground for such an organization as the
a.. !. A., but, as an organization. 1t has
is no ground whatever"
Rev. John W. Milan, pastor of the Mad
ison-avenue NJ. T.. Church, said he believed
i'm the principle OF the total enforcement OF
church and state, but he did not believe the
"A. r. A. was accomplishing the avowed pur-
poses of its organization. He thought it
had driven, and was fast driving. LIBERAL
minded Catholics back to their original po-
sition. The Catholics were becoming more
and more impressed with American ideas,
and the A. p A. had met the ones who
ton with a direct slap in the face. Arch
bishop Ireland and Cardinal Gibbons, he
thought, were typical Americans at the
head of the Catholic Church i'm this country,
and they were not opposed to the public
school system. The question is settling
Itself in broader ideas among the laity,
which is bound to react upon the ministry.
and, he thought, the a. Z. A. organization
Milan said he believed that a large num-
Der of the members of the y. L. A. entered
by the leaders. lie said ne had been So
declined because, he thought it was founded
Rev. +. a. Allen, pastor of the Sixth Pres
byterian church, when asked for an ex-
not alarmed for his personal safety nor
that of his NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., nor any
4 tbnrr u, prot Ss tsnfics denomination en6Hnn because acc
think there was any danger of the Cath
GIics rising in arms and STAY
of trade and travel were so
closely interviewer and Intercourse so in
innate that no violence can he done. He
thought as a political organization the \.
I. A. had a perfect right to oppose the
Catholics If it desired to. The Catholics
had generally stood pretty solid politically,
and the a. p. a. had a perfect right to
pronulgate its doctrines for the purpose
of influencing voters, If it so desired, so
not always approve the methods adopted,
as they were often too radical and Wis
ionary.
Rev. Edwin G. Hunter, rector Of the
Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, said,
of any organization that attacked any opin-
lon In religion. II the A. Il. a. carried out
the doctrine of defense Of American insti-
tutions in a proper manner it would ac-
complish good, but as they had been do
ing he had no confidence in it. He said
he had seen statements from members of
the a. +. A. which he regarded as athe-
istic. He thought the public school system
should be upheld. and If the Roman Cath
olics were trying to get control of them
the step should be opposed. not as Roman
Catholics. however, but on the question
of principle. II don't believe a majority of
the Catholics desire control of the public
schools said he. II think, perhaps. there
are a few radicals among them who do.
As for the parochial schools, / think they
are a good institution, and would like to
have one In my parish"
BLOWN FROM A PLATFORM.