The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-20
AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
Archbishop Ireland's Right to His
Sound Money Opinions Undis-


To the Editor of the Globe
The famous letter of Archbishop Ireland
On tne poiitical situation seems to have Gre
ated quite furore in some circles and for
reasons, IL before entertained that were quiet
iy allowed to slumber until crushed beneath
the weight OF the archbishop's overpowering
logic, they give forth a doleful cry ''Let the
CALLED jade vince" The exalted opinion they
seem to possess of church dignitaries that
In their view should keep them from things
material, or affairs of state, must have sud
denly entered the souls of Mr.. c. l.. James
ct al, from the fact that no word of protest
went out on the October air against the right
OF celebrated Catholic priest of Minneapolis
expressing his opinion on the vital political
questions of the day through the Minneapolis
Times, not long ago, in favor of Mr.. Bryan
Neither do they object to their friends QUOT
ing Archbishop Walsh on the question of
bimetallism, from which they seem to expect
comfort. 1t cannot he that they accord these
men the privilege because they think their
voices coincide with their own and refuse it
to Archbishop Ireland because his conflict
Men SO glib at quoting scripture could scarce
ly be charged with views so intolerant as that
and yet, it's said, 1.-THE devil can quote
Scripture to serve his purpose
Mr.. James begs the whole political question
in his article in the G o b e of the 18th
inst, and then quotes Scripture against usury
and extortien as applying to the condition he
assumes to exist. think he is in error when
he faneies his lavish Scriptufal quotations
will divert the attention of reasonable men
from the fntolerant position he has taken,
that whoever differs with him Is wrong.
he charges the opposing party with extortion,
corruption and everything that Is bad, con-
sequent1y whoever supports its principles has
gone astray. The day is past when an Amer
lean citizen is obliged to hold his peaas on
any question of public polity can be coerced
by the censure Of intolerant opponents. The
| most Rev. Archbishop Ireland is an American
citizen.
AS a. minister of the gospel In his exalted
position, as the peer Of any man the sun
shines on. n this or any other continent,
no man who is honest be he of Protestant
or Catholic faith, will charge that Archbishop
/ Ireland has ever been derelict in his duty to
God or hts country. When this nation was
In the throes of civil war; when the TilITuans
and their ilk raised the red hand of secession
to shoot TO death the country of Washington,
| jefferson and Jackson cry was then
heard from Mr. G. L. James ct all de-
manding that the then Father ireland should
not enter the ranks and face the rebel bull
| lets to give consolation on the sanguine field
| to the true American dying that his country
might live. and shall he now be denied the
simple privilege of expressing his views as to
! the best interest of that country lest per-
chance some coterie of self-constituted critics
| charge him with dishonesty?
call the most reverend archbishop to task, and
| say you must be simply childish ii You
! imagine that the political preference of a
priest or bishop has any greater influence
| upon his people than the views of any
! equally intelligent man. Respectfully.
p. !. Healy.
| st. Paul. Mimi. Oct. IT.