The San Francisco call., 1896-01-15

States to protect the interests OF man who
like every coward is liar.
Mr.. John P. Young is trying by means OF
Interviews to work up public opinion against
Inc. What men think OF my action has very
! little influence with me .ong as those in
whose Judgment i place confidence are con-
Nlnced that my action is wise and prudent. Ii
men wish to pull John p. Youngs chestnu Is
out OF the fire II is no affair of mine But |
must protest against the imputation which
some have striveu 10 cast that | have con-
dueted my side of the controversy in manner
unbecoming gentleman or priest. If filth
and false accusations have been introduced
every one knows who introduced them. My
letters are open to the public defy these
fastidous critics to point 10 a single sentence
in any of them which might not be read in
any home in this land
/ cannot close this letter without expressing
my pain that any Catholic could be found to
throw the mud that John p. Young dares not
fling himself. ! am surprised that those who
know me could stand sponsor ior lmputatlons
on my conscientious convictions, have no
personal interests to further, no gain TO expect
from this controversy. My position does rot
depend on notoriety and the past months have
but brought me added labor That the rich
should not feel the necessity of the measures
have taken l can well understand. They are
beyond the reach of that petty bigotry, that
petty spite that petty persecution by which
girls have been bounded from the factories,
workingmcn driven from their employment,
earn their daily bread. I do not represent the
rich They afford to treat all these things
with silent contempt. Ii l represent any one
beside myself l represent the poor.
know whereof speak when say that the
conspiracy which John p. Young has done so
much 10 foster has worked many a cruel wrong
on those who have neither money nor friends
nor influence 10 bestead them in their need
1t was the knowledge of these things which
moved me TO engage in this controversy for /
believe that only by letting in the light can an
end be put TO the conspiracy. All that have
and all that am owe 10 the people, and by
my profession all that have and that | am
belong TO the people. In this controversy /
stand simply for their rights and for their good
name, and may God forbid that the day should
ever come when shall he afraid ashamed
to speak for mine own. y. c. YORKE.
January Ia, 1896.
The following is the Chronicle editorial
to which Father Yorke takes exception:
THE RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY.
Rev. Father Yocke expresses the opinion that
no harm can lesult from the continuance OF
Francisco. In this he differs from most other
persons who have given the subject considera-
When the Examiner on the 18th of last
month refused to accord Father Yorke and his
opponents any more space to present their
views on the subject OF religion it did so on the
distinct ground that bad feeling was being
stirred up in the community. Here are its
words:
The Examiner would be willing TO let the fight
ing 90 on indefinitely IN its columns if any good
It.,
passions are becoming aroused, and the worldly
quoting, with sneer, But 1 say unto YOU.
love one another. Pray for them that despitefuily
use YOU \ few sermons on that text from both
Catholic and Protestant pulpits would seem to be
particularly appropriate Just now.
This is the view of the subject that the
Chronicle took when it declined to open lis
columns to the discussion of vexed religious
questions. 1t was simply adhering to rule OF
the paper, esta blished many years ago, TO not
open Is pages 10 polemists. 1t regretted that
in the pursuit OF its legitimate function OF
printing the news it was sometimes compelled
10 report public meetings where abuse and
rellglous anlmadverslons formed the chief
topic. But it steadfastly adhered TO its resolu
tlon of avoiding, SO far as possible, the provo
cation of bad feeling.
But even if this were. not the fact If the
Chronicle, like the Examiner, had ONLY made
the discovery at the eleventh hour that dan.
gerouS passions were becoming aroused" il
would not have heSitated to frankly admit its
mistake, and would have done all in its power
TO put period TO a controversy which what
Investigated the matter, is embitterlng per
sonal relations and threatens TO cause a reviva1
OF the evils that afflicted the country during
the "forties" and "fifties."
The Chronicle knows that its apprehensions
are shared by the business community, who
see the possibilities of further depression il
this menace is allowed to hang over the City
We have already presented the views o
numerous prominent citizens OF all shades oi
belief. and they are unit in the expression
that the daily publication of religious crimina.
ton and recriminatiOn is directly provocative
OF trouble, and we are convinced that ii can.
vass OF all the peace-loving Inhabitants OF
san Francisco were made they would fully
agree with the Chronicle that it would be wise
to cali halt. We ever venture the belief
that Father Gorke will not desire to see the
controversy continued when he learns that
the work OF attacking churches has already
commenced.