Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-25

to-day. To nut such a clause into our
Constitution would be 10 rcpudlste the
work OF our patriot fathers. 10 adopt
the worst feature OF European despotism
10 trample upon the conscienccs Of mil
ions Of oar fellow-countrymen, and TO
contradict the doctrine and example OF
Jesus Christ
DOWN on THE A. p. 4.
Or Hawthorne aid not mnce words In
dealing with the American Protective
Association on this subject he Taid:
That secret. oath-bound political or
ganlzation. known as the American Pro-
tcctive Association" in proposing 10
establish religious qualification for
citizenship and office. is at war with
The true doctrine OF religious liberty. ]
do not regard these disguised and dark
lantcrned crusaders as vilful enemies
OF the religion OF Christ and wilful
conspirators against Individual free
dom. but rs men acting under false con
ceptions Of truth and right. While claim
ing to be the friends Of Christ and the
un1nching advocates OF the lights q
conscience. they want the American pco-
nle "a declare an Roman Catholics ineligi-
bic 10 citizenship and office Could any
movement be more revolutionary. more
destructive OF the interests Of Christ's
kingdom and subvcrsive Of the basal
principles OF free government? Was there
ever n more unmitigated ana stupendous
absurdity than the one which their scheme
ombodies? They propose to preserve and
promote religious liberty In America by
depriving 100000 Of American Catholics
Of citizenship and the freedom Of cone
science. In other words. they declare
that the only method OF preserving tie
great and sacred principles Of religious
liberty is 10 violate them
APPEAL FOR CHRISTIAN COURAGE.
They tel us that Roman Catholics have
prescribed Professionals. where they have
been strong enough to do IT.. That may
be true i'm many Instances ] am not
here to apologize for the uses which cath
olics have made of the civil power 10
stamp out opposition 10 their doctrines and
worship. ! am here TO put TO all honest
and well-meaniug protestants this Ques-
ton: Can we teach Catholics ii better way
and promote the spirit OF liberation
equality. and fraternity in our country
by treating them as wrongfully as they
treated us? Can We win them over 10 the
cause Of religious freedom by making
dtspots OF ourselves? Let us have the
courage and the magnanimity 10 deal
Justly with all men, Let us dare to con
we strengthen the position Of those who
are opposed TO US The whole Catholic
world is making progress IN the direction
Of religious liberty. Catholic Italy is now
open TO all religions. The same is true
OF Catholic France and Catholic Brazil
and Catholic Mexico. l am sure that ]
speak the truth when ! say that In all
these countries this happy transform
ton has been accomplished under the
tod n a
religion. This revolution is In progress
I'm an Catholic countries. and. II nothing
Is done by Protestants to retard j. the
day is not distant when I'm every country
now dominated by Catholics there VIII be
complete separation Of church and Sta,e.
THE REPUBLIC WOULD PERISH.
Can Protestsn:s promote the progress
OF this movement by putting into the on
stitutiOn Of this great Anne ican rep19ic
"A clause depuVing Catholics OF the rights
10 vote and hold office2 Is this wisdom!
Would IL strengthen Professionalism
Would Il make Christianity more at
tractive 10 a world that lieth in wicked
ness? Do men see in this movement the
spirit Of Him who said. Whatsoever We
would that men should do unto you. do
We even so 20 them." 30. II the Ameri-
can Protective Association should ever
he strong enough TO dominate this govern
ment. and TO inaugUrate its policy Of pro-
scription. Professionalism would become q
SYNONYM for despotism. Ingersol intidel-
fly would sweep the country. the republic
would perish. and tho better part of what
Christianity hes contributed TO the civ
nization OF our land would disappear
Every human being. whether he he
Protestant. OF Catholic, or jew or Budd-
hist. or Mohammedan IS my brother and
I cannot wrong him without violating the
spirit Of my religion and being disloyal 10
the God who IS father Of MS all Every
American Catholic IS my fel!ow-citiZen
and 70 take from him any right which
claim for myself. is 10 repudiate the
spirit Of my religion and being disloyal 10
declare myself an enemy TO the best gov
eminent under which it has ever been the
privilege Of man 10 live. ] should regard
myself al Justly chareeable with all these
offences against God agd country and
fellOw-men II I had lifted up my voice
i'm support OF the secret. underground
political combination of which / am now
speaking
But / will not allow myself to con-
template even the possibility of success
for this un-Christian and un-American
organization. I believe that nine-tenths
% the Pr0testants Of this country are
as far removed from the spirit OF 'he
y
are from the spirit and purposes Of
Jesuitism: and when the question of pro-
scribing Catholics. or any other element
OF our population. is submitted 10 them
IN a national election. they will bury ii
beyond the reach OF any resurrecting
power
AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF CHAP
LAINS.
DR.. Hawthorne took strong ground
against the appointment OF chaplains TO
Congress. 10 the army and navy. and to
state Legislatures. declaring that IL Is a
violation Of the rights of conscience and
indicates very clearly that even in this
land Of the free and home Of the
brave" religion is not divorced from the
State. when our government makes
such appointments" said the speaker, II
practically ignores the doctrine that It's
only function IN respect 10 religion is to
protect II. In making these appoint
ments. 1t assumes that it is charged
with the responsibility Of deciding for the
people what IL the true religion. In
making these appointments the State
dIscriminates between the various reli-
eions Of the country. 1T selects us
chaplains only from the ranks OF the
Christian ministry. In appointing men
10 these Offices. and paying them Tor
their services with money taken from the
public treasury. the state does more than
protect the Christian religion; II patro-
nizes It: and any governmental patronage
Of religion IS an unmistakable violation
OF the rights Of conscience. These CHAP
Iains are commissioned by the govern
ment: they perform such services as are
prescribed 10y the government; they are
paid by the government; and they are
responsible TO the government for the
manner I'm which they perform the duties