The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-12

ST. PAUL, Mimi, Oct. lin reply
to a letter of the business men of the
Catholic churches of this city, Arch
bishop Ireland tonight gave out a let
ter, in which he gives his reasons why
he is opposed to the Chicago platform.
The letter of his constituents is an
appeal for light upon the duties of the
hour, and asks for the archbishops
calm and honest convictions on the
issues of the day. The following is the
reply:
'.Messrs. Gordon, Dawson. Warner.
ETC.:
"Gentlemen:-I am not unwilling, in
the crisis through which the country
is now passing, to speak for the in
tegrity of the nation, for the prosperity
of it's people; for the honor of
America and the permanency of free
institutions.
Il am a citizen of the country, con-
cerned in all the interests of the ma
ton, subject to all responsibilities Of
citizenship. To be silent when words
of mine may be of some profit to the
people, would be cOwardice, would be
crime. L am not unmindful of the
objection made against the churchmau
speaking at any time on matters
which have entered the arena of poll
tics, lest his influence as a teacher Of
religion seem to be used to promote
the
INTERESTS OF A POLITICAL
PARTY.
I might reply that there are occa-
siOnS when a political platform means
disaster TO the country; when politics
oil Cd Te
religion, and that on those occasions
the churchman must be the patriot.
without allowing a moments thought
to considerations of expediency, and
must take in hand the moral or religi-
Gus issue, even if it be vested in the
garment of politics. But in the pres
ent instance seek no excuse of this
kind; I speak entirely as the citizen,
without warrant from my ecclesiastical
position. Deep as my convictions are,
1 hold in all due respect my fellow citi-
zens who hold convictions at variance
with my own. l imDeach neither their
good faith, nor their honor. l am deal
ing not with men, but with principles
and movements. This justice which I
render TO those whose ideas am
ready to combat, / am sure they will
render to me. L stand by the platform
and the present candidate of the Re
publican convention of st. Louis.
am opposed to the platform and the
presidential candidate of the Demo-
cratic convention at Chicago The
days of civil war excepted, at no time
did
so GREAT A PERIL THREATEN
the country as that which is involved
in the political campaign of today. The
question of free and unlimited coinage
of silver is put in the foreground. The
question has it's Importance; but it IS
of minor Importance in the presence
of other questions which are brought
into the movement, which had it's ex-
preston in the Chicago convention,
and which now seeks, by means of
popular suffrage, 30 enthrone itself in
the capital of the nation is in it's
right logical effects revolution against
the United States; it is secession-the
secession of 1861, which our soldiers
believed they had consigned to eternal
death at Appomatox. but which de-
1nands again recognition from the
American poole. The declaration in the
Chicago platform, has, and can have.
no other meaning, I'VE denounce
arbitrary interference by federal
in local affairs as viola
ton of the constitution of the United
States and crime against free insti-
The words point to the act
Of Grover Cleveland sending United
States troops to protect national prop
erty and enforce national laws during
the Chicago riots in 1894 In those
words there is told the secession doc
trine that states are independent of
the national government at Washing
ton. There is
THE ANNULMENT OF THE UNION:
there is notice served upon the flag of
America that outside the District of
it is without power of self
assertion or se1f-defense. The president
Of the United States is told that to en-
force national laws and protect ma
Lional property he cannot march his
troops into any state without the
of the governor of that
state. One of the chief speakers at
The convention at Chicago. understood
he significance of the convention and
voiced its spirit:
came from state which was the
nome Of secession said Senator Till
nan. of South Carolina. / say he
continued, it is q sectional issue. and
t will prevail And fitting was it that
ne speaker. voicing the spirit of the
Chicago convention should be the re-
preventative of South Carolina Thrice
las South Carolina spoken for seces-