The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-06
The Catholic Champion Accepts
the Offer of the American
Patriot"
THOSE ANONYMOUS LETTERS.
An Inference That They Are Forgeries.
Rev. D. M. Ross Fears
GroundleSS.

The controversy between the Rev. Father
Yorke and Rev. Mr.. Ross wakes warm
In reply to the letter of the latter printed
Yesterday in THE CALL, which freely gives
the widest scope to both sides in the dis
Cussion, the chancellor OF the archdiocese
OF San Francisco submits the following:
SAN FRANCISCO Dec 5, 1895.
To the Editor of The CdU-DEAR SIR: Though
It has taken the combined efforts of the Rev.
Mr.. Ross, the Rev. Mr.. Bowman and G. A.
Hubbell, manager and secretary of the Patriot
Publishing Company" 1 am glad TO see that
we are "getting on" G. A. Hubben has none
of those amiable scruples about betting which
trouble the Rev. Donald NJ. Ross. He proposes
to place in the hands of the arbitrator 500 in
gold coin of the United States, to be distributed
in charity, if Mr.. Ross fails to substantiate his
quotations. The proposition suits me admir-
ably.
hope it suits the Rev. D. NJ. Ross. Mr.. G. A
Hubbeu states that the step has been taken
without the knowledge and consent of Mr..
Ross" OF course 1t would be too much 10 In
sist on Mr.. Ross consent now that he has
knowledge. l have no wish to ask him to ap-
prove in others what he deems wrong in him.
self I, therefore, do not require from him any
expression OF opinion. If he makes no protest
before Saturday against the action OF the sec
rotary and manager OF the Patriot Publishing
Company, 1 will announce the name OF my
lawyer.
graceful style in which Mr.. Ross faces the
thirty-tWo points OF the compass proves the
necessity OF tying him down to the subject at
issue by a deposit Of money. have insisted
on this condition not "to escape my
own bluff" but because long experience
has shown that controversialiSts OF Nj.
Ross stripe are more remarkable Tor
the number and variety of extraneous topics
which they introduce than for the mum Der and
variety of relevant arguments they bring to
one subject. To confine such gentlemen to
one question under penalty is q sine qua non
of profitable discussion. This is my sole rea-
son for insisting on the deposit, and evidently
Mr.. Donald NJ. Ross own friends recognized
that his charge that was hiding behind this
condition could be logically met by the retort
that he was lodging behind scruples in betting.
The Rev. Donald NJ. Ross is very solicitous
about the manner OF trying this case | beg TO
assure him that the idea OF debate does not
scare me very much. l have already told him
that am not seeking notoriety in this matter.
but the plain, simple truth. mere debate
will not help us TO attain that end. Mr.. Ross
has quoted four propositions as excerpts from
Catholic publications. If these excerpts are
not forgeries it will be easy to produce the
originals If these excerpts are forgeries all
the fact
Mr. Editor, that this or that statement is
found in THE CALL there is only one way TO
back up my assertion, and that way is to
produce THE CALL Now, I have no desire
to block the settlement of this question
geh6d Mr. D a33q M Ross
ing viii be to prove 10 the satisfaction
OF three non-Catholic lawyers that the state
ments OF substance of them appear in Catholic
publications as Catholic doctrine. The judges,
being lawyers, know what is meant by legal
evidence and judicial proof. The rules which
govern procedure in our courts are good
enough for me and therefore l am willing to
abide by the conditions which the judges may
lay down. They are the persons to be con-
WINGED and common-sense and common
courtesy require that the conduct OF the case
be submitted 10 them.
So far, Mr.. Editor, have dealt with the main
question. Please allow me few lines to speak
OF various errors and apprehensions which
aflict the soul OF Mr.. Ross.
He says: ave who believe in light and lib
erty feared you would not stand by your first
letter" l hope that this communication re-
moves his fears. His belief in light and lib
erty is evidently as groundless as his timidity
The light which shines upon this land is not
the CLEAN OF the dark lantern in the hands OF
towards, nor is the liberty we ambition that
insolence which would abridge the rights Of
others because of conscience or creed.
The Rev. Mr.. Ross is indignant that ! should
suggest to him the manliness of standing by
his word, and compares me to the Roman sol
'diers who cast lots on Calvary for our Savior's
clothes. do not think that Mr.. Ross is happy
in going to that spot for similitudes. People
who remember Mr.. Ross attacks on the charec
ter of Catholic men and Catholic women in
Metropolitan Temple will be tempted TO look
from him to the cross of the lmpenitent thief
The Rev. Mr.. Ross tells us that he is a victim
of threats from bloodthirsty Papists. He has
received several anonymous letters and he
poses in the papers with the resigned air of g..
early Christian martyr. Even il we were sc
bloodthirsty as Mr.. Ross believes we could not
afford to kill him Just now. He is too valuable
to us in many ways.
However, the people will take Mr.. Ross
anonymous letters with grain of salt. We
have too many specimens of threatening let
tiers, like those of Mr.. Ross organization to
Mayor Van Horn, to doubt whence they come
In the House of Representatives Mr.. Weadock
of Michigan displayed documents written by
the A. P. A. and signed with the names OF
Catholic priests. An organization which will
deal In forged encyclicals, in forged oaths, in
forged quotations viii not scruple to deal in
forged letters. have very little doubt in my
mind that the letters received by Rev. Ross
were written by his allies il not by himself
Mr.. Ross knows as well as do that his life Is
in no danger, and that there is no need of him
to come before the community whining about
bullets. Canada may consider California q
lawless State, but the men who have built up
this commonwealth will object to be slandered
by the childish apprehensions of Mr.. Ross. Let
Mr.. Ross cease these unmanly whimperings OF
his friends may be compelled to hire nurse
girl for his protection
Rev. Donald NJ. Ross is angry that spoke OF
the TACT that he is not citizen. did not
speak OF 1t as crime. He declares that if he
wished TO commit a crime he might have had
the assistance OF a Roman Catholic Irishman
If MI Ross had the slightest conception of the
duties OF a citizen he would have lodged that
Irishman in jail. Either Mr.. Ross is now con.
niving at felony or he has said the thing that
is not.
WONDER Mr.. Editor, how the Rev. Donald
NJ. Ross knew the religion of this Irishman.
All Irishmen are not Roman Catholics Could
it be that Mr.. Ross tempter was that distin-
guished politician, John Y. Mckane who is
now in Sing Sing, and who was then superin.
tendent OF Presbyterian or Methodist Sunday.
SCHOOL,
did not charge Mr.. Ross with crime when
charged him with being still an alien. Blu,
what | do consider a crime is that such an
alien should strive to abridge the liberties OF
q certain class of citizens who have given
their blood and their treasure freely and law.
ishly to defend that flag, which nowhere in
the world is treated with indignity except in
Canada.
AS TO Mr.. Ross grammar, have no desire Ia
call further attention TO his lack OF acquaint.
ance with the elementary rules which govern
English speech. Indeed, Mr.. Editor we can