The record-union., 1896-10-12
Archbishop Irelands Reply
to St Paul Merchants,
Who Asked His Calm Convictions
on the Hours Duties.
The Chicago Platform Threatens the
Ruin Of Social Order.
The Courts TO be ShOrD Of Their Power in
Favor Of MObs, RiOdng and the De-
StruciOn Of Property.

ST. PAUL CMinn.). Oct 11.-In reply to
a letter of the business men Of the Cath
Ollie churches of this city, Archbishop
ireland tonight gave out a letter in
which he gives the 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 the Archbishop's calm and hon.
est convictions. The reply is as fol-
bows:
Messrs Gordon, Warner, etc: I am
mot unwilling in the crisis through
which this country is now passing to
speak for the integrity Of the nation,
for the prosperity of the people, for
the honor of America, and the perma-
nency of free institutions.
| am a citizen of the country, con-
Cerned in all the interests Of the ma
1ion, subject, to all the responsibilities
pf 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 OBJ
lection made against the churchman
speaking at any time on matters which
have entered the arena of politics, lest
his influence as a teacher of religion
seem to be used to promote the interests
of political party. l might reply that
there are times when a political plat
form means disaster to the country;
when politics are closely connected with
morals or religion; and that on those
occasions the churchman must be the
patriot without allowing a moments s
thought to considerations Of exped1-
sency, and must take in hand the moral
or religious issue, even If it be vested in
ahe garments OF politics.
/ seek no excuse of this kind. /
speak entirely as the citizen, without
warrant from my ecclesiastical position.
Deep as my convictions are L hold in
ali due respect my fellowcitizens who
hold convictions at variance with my
own. impeach neither their good faith
nor their honor. l am dealing not with
men but with principles and movements.
This justice which / render TO those
whose ideas l am ready TO combat,
am sure they Will render to me.
[ stand by the platform and the pres
ent candidate Of the Republican Con-
vention at St. Louis. / am opposed to
TIE platform and the Presidential can
didate Of the Democratic Convention Of
Chicago. The days Of civil war except
ed at no time did so great a peril
threaten the country as that which is
involved in the political campaign Of to-
day. The question Of free and unlimited
coinage Of silver is put in the fore
ground. The question has its import
ance: but it is Of minor Importance in
The presence Of other questions which
are brought into the movement which
had its expression I'm the Chicago Con-
vention and which now seeks by means
OF popular suffrage to enthrone itself
aF iC in
its right logical effects revolution
against the United States; it is seces-
slon-the secession Of 1860. which our
soldiers believed they had consigned to
eternal death at Appomattox, but
which demands again recognition from
ahe American people.
The declaration Of the Chicago plat
form has, and can have, no other mean
ing: I'VE denounce arbitrary interfer-
ence by Federal authorities in local af-
fairs as a violation Of the Constitution
of the United States and a crime
against free institutions" The words
refer to the act of Grover Cleveland in
sending troops to protect national prop
erty and to enforce national laws dur
ing the Chicago riots in 1894.
IN those words there is told secession
doctrine that States are independent of
ton. There is the annulment OF the
Union: there is notice served upon the
flag of America that outside the Dis
trict OF Columbia it is without power
of self-asSertion or self defense. The
President of the United States IS told
that to enforce national laws and pro-
dect national property he cannot march
his troops into any State without the
authorization Of the Governor of that
state one Of the chief speakers at the
convention at Chicago understood the
significance of the convention and
voiced its spirit.
Il came from a State which was the
home Of secession" said Senator Till
man of South Carolina. II say" he con-
tinued 'it is a sectional issue and it
will prevail" And fitting was ii that
the speaker. voicing the spirit OF the Chi
cago convention, should be the repre-
sentative of South Carolina. Thrice has
South Carolina spoken for secession.
when it passed in 1882 the notification
ordinance. when in 1861 it fred on
Fort Sumter when in 1896 1t cries
out, "a sectional issue and it Will pre-
vail"
The platform Of the Chicago conven-
ton threatens the country with destruc-
ton of social order. with lawlessness
and anarchy. The personification OF law
and of social order in America is In our
courts and the promise of safety 10 our
free institutions is the prompt ooedi-
ence to those courts and now the courts
are to be shorn Of their power ana
shorn of il in favor of mobs, rioting and
the destruction of property
I'VE especially object" says the Cnl-
capo platform. ito Government by in
junction as a new and highly dangerous
form Of oppression" Here reference Is
made to the action of the courts In the
Chicago riots without which action