The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-05-02
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Food For Thought For Kootenai County
Populists.
The following letter on "ReligiOus
Freedom" was recently published in
the Boise Sentinel, the leading popu-
list organ Of this state. The Senti-
neps editorial views on A. p. Aism
are very pronounced against the Or
ganization, and are not at all in har-
mony with the actions Of populists in
this vicinity, who seem to be joining
the A. p. A. by wholesale. The let
ter is we'll worth reading by all:
Ed. SENTINEL: Now that your columns are
open to the discussion OF the A. P. A. organ
ization, would like word on the subject.
Not being ceremonial religionist, nor bound
to any form, discipline or creed, and being al
ways devoted to the broadcast freedom in both
political and religious matters, as see and
understand such things, hope to be able to
speak without prejudice or favor, and to lead
some to the light.
AS understand what is popularity known
as A. p. Aism, its inspiration is hatred Of
Catholicism. its purpose, both secret and
avOwed, the social, political and religious
Ostracism Of Roman Catholics. 1t would, If
statements made by members of the organiza-
ton are reliable withhold its votes from
Catholic aspirants for Office, and even stoop
to the meanness of refusing employment to
Catholic laborers.
Why this sudden outburst of hostility to a
church? The constitution of our country
guarantees to every citizen, regardless of his
religious views, preferences or predictions,
the right to worship God according to the die
tates of his conscience, subject to no other
power or authority whatever, nor to outside
interference from any source. This right
was not conferred by churchmen but by de-
lists; 1t was not given subject to the shifting
passions of prejudice and ignorance, but was
made permanent, immutable, by constitu-
tional decree. In that guarantee was clearly
included and implied the right to participate
in all public affairs, to vote and to hold office,
to employ and be employed, and to be or be-
come a member of the Catholic or any other
church, as each individual should EJECT To
deny these or any of the rights to Catholic
or to any other citizen, would be to set at
naught valuable constitutional provision
and to become ourselves amenable to the
charge OF unpatriOtic conduct, the very thing
l am told the A. p. AS impute to the CathO-
lies, and that, so far as can see without
proof or reason.
But If the Catholics are guilty-if they are
not good American citizens, as claim they
are-is their wrong to be corrected by our
selves ignoring constitutional privileges and
guarantees ? Could we not be performing
our duty of good citizens by respecting every
mans rights and compelling every man to
respect every other mans rights, strengthen
the love of our people for provisions that
have been greatly weakened in the last
thirty years by being disregarded by those in
authority? Having tried this method-hav-
ing fully performed our duty, having pro-
tected every citizen in the full and free en-
jOyment OF his constitutional rights and
privileges, and thus contributed our part to
the perfection and perpetuation of republic
in fact as we'll as In name would we not be in
better position to say to all who would de-
prive us of freedom of speech, of worship. and
OF political actiOn-rights formidable to
tyrants only" at your peril !
Having performed our whole duty, having
established the religious and political liberty
on q basis so firm that no man can be denied
or deprived OF them, or either OF them, even
temporarily without first having been con-
victed by jury OF his own countrymen of
one or more overt acts Of wrong II we find
Catholics, PrOtestants, Jews or in1idels plot
ting to overthrow or cripple our republic we
shall be able to thwart their evil designs, be-
cause our people will then know what is a