The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-10
is NOT ASHAMED.
Representative Fitzgerald At
tacks the A. p. A.
The Massachusetts, Democrat
Warmly Defends His Church.
GLORIES IN HIS FAITH.
The Sectarian Appropriations
His Speech's Text.
Must a Catholic Apologize for
Living in America
GLORIES IN HIS FAITH

WASHINGTON. April 10.-The District
Of Columbia appropriation bin, which
was recommitted early in March, after
a prOtracted fight against appropria-
tiOns for private and sectarian char
liable institutions, was brought into
the House yesterday, with the specific
appropriations stricken out, and con
tanning in lieu thereof an apprOpria-
ton Of lump sum for charities to be
expended under the direction Of the
Districv commissioners. with the pro
visO that no part of the appropriation
should go to Institutions In ecelesias-
teal or sectarian control The fea-
ture of the debate was a vigorous at
tack on the A. p. A. by Mr.. Fitzgerald
(Democrat) of Massachusetts
sit has been stated, p said he, 'that
mem bers Of the A. II. Al. organization
never made any opposition to the APP
priations for these institutions until
the night before, and then they bonn
barded the committee room and in
sisted upon the appropria ti0ns for
these institutions being stricken out.
1.-THE animus of this organization,
he proceeded, sis wei known. Mem
bers of the House have been impor-
tuned not in the interest of justice,
of freedom Or of a broad spirit Of lib
this bill, but because it appropriated
money for Catholic institutions I
stand upon this floor born and bred a
Roman Catholic. and proud of it, and
I deny the right Of any secret, cath
bound organization to come before the
legal representa- Of the people
and by its dark deep underhand
methods, seek to deprive me and the
members Of the religion which / pro
Tess Of the honest rights and priv
leges and dues Of American citizen
ship
What apology is there for a Roman
Catholic to live in this country2 Is
one necessary? Look at the deeds Of
bravery and herOlsm and statesman
ship that have been performed by
Roman Catholics. i challenge any
member of the a. p. A. Organiza ton
in this house, or any mem Der in SYN
pGthy with it to name any sphere in
life or any public duty that has been
badly Allied or lily performed by mem
bers of the Roman Catholic church.
In the great war of the Revolution
Washington had no 6rmer friends or
6Fmer supporters than the Roman
Catholic members Of his STAFF and
vixen we look at the great naval
Struggle which was the pride and the
glory Of the American people at that
time, the first name that springs to
Roman Catholic, Captain John O'Brlen,
who achieved the first great naval
victory of the war of the coast of
Maine. 1t was not asked whether
kosciuslz0 or Pulaski or Lafayette
were Catholics when the thirteen
colonies were struggling for their in
dependence.
"At that time could you ind any
fanatics? At that time could you ind
persons stealthily creeping around
from one end of the country to the
other in secrecy. intriguing against a
mans religion? know we talk
a bout the breadth and Hbera1ity of
the American people in these days.
Why, sir, it is not to be Compared with
the breadth and llberality and wisdom
that were exhibited in those times
My friends, if we should have war
with England on account Of the Ven
ezuelan matter, or with Spain on ac-
count of the Cuban matter, where
would the members Of this infamous
organization be-where would they
he found2 They would be found in
the same place and under the same
auspices that they were found in the
War Of the Rebellion, taking the
steamers for Nova Scotia TO put them
selves under the protection Of Queen
Victoria and the British Tag"
The bill was passed as amended
T24 to 81