The San Francisco call., 1896-10-12
Vigorous Denunciation of
the Chicago Platform by
the Archbishop.
At No Time Since the Civil War
Has the Nation Been So
Threatened.
SOCIAL ORDER IS IN DANGER.
Most Sacred of Federal Institutions
Is the Supreme Court Which
SilveriteS AssaiL

ST. PAUL, MINI, Oct. n.--In reply to
letter of business men of the Catholic
ch rches of this city, Arch bishop Ireland
tonight gave out a letter IN which be
gives his reasons why he is opposed to the
Chicago platform. The letter of mis- con-
stItuents is an appeal for light upon the
duties of the hour and asks for the Arch
bishops calm and honest convictions on
the issues of the day. The following is
the reply:
Messrs. Gordon, DdgsoR. Werner Etc-GEN-
TLEMEN: I am not unwilling, in the crisis
through which the country is now passing, to
speak Tor the integrity of the Nation, for the
prosperity of the people, for the honor of
America and the permanency OF free institu-
tions.
lam citizen of the country, concerned in
all the interests of the Nation, subject to all
the responsibilities of citizenship. To be silent
when words of mine may be OF some profit to
the people would be cowardice, would be
crime. am not unmindful OF the objection
made against the churchman speaking at any
time on matters which have entered the arena
of politics, lest his influence as 8 teacher OF
religion seem to be used to promote the in
terests Of political party. might reply that
there are occasions when a political platform
are closely connected with morals ana religion,
and that on those occasions the churchman
must be the patriot, without allowing mo-
ments thought to considerations of expe-
diency and must take in hand the moral or
religious issue, even if it be vested in the gar
ment of politics.
But, in the present instance, / seek no ex-
cuse OF this kind; speak entirely as the citi-
zen without warrant from my ecclesiastical
nOSition Dean as nv ions T haf
in all due respect my fellow-citizens who hold
convictions at variance with my own. 1 i'm
peach neither their good faith, nor their
honor. am dealing not with men, but with
principles and movements. This jus tice which
render to those whose ideas l am ready TO
combat, am sure they viii render to me.
stand by the platform and the present ca n
didate of the Republican convention OF ST.
Louis. l am opposed to the platform and the
Presidential candidate of the Democratic con-
Yention at Chicago. The days of civil war ex-
cepted, at no time did great 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 foreground. The ques-
tion has its importance, but it is of minor
Importance in the presence of other questions,
which are brought into the movement which
had its expression in the Chicago convention
and which now seeks, by means of popular
suffrage, to enthrone itself in the capital of
the Nation; it is in its right logical effects
revolution against the United States;
it is seeession-the secession of 1861
which our soldiers believed they had con-
signed to eternal death at Appomattox,~ but
which demands again recognition from the
American people. The declaration in the
Chicago platform has, and can have, no other
meaning: 1--WE denounce arbitrary interfer-
ence by Federal authorities in local affairs as
violation of the Constitution of the United
States and crime against free institutions"
The words point to the act of Grover Cleve-
land sending United States troops to protect
National property and enforce National laws
during the Chicago riots in 1894 In those
words there is the old secession doctrine that
States are independent of the National Gov
ernment at Washington. There is the anntl-
ment of the Union; there is notice served upon
the flag OF America that outs de the District
of Columbia it is without power of self-asser-
tion or self-defense. The President of the
United States is told that to enforce National
laws and protect 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
81 came from a State which was the home of
secession" said Senator Tillmsn of sonth
Carolina. al say he continued, at is a sec
tonal issue and it viii prevail" And lifting
was it that the speaker, voicing the spirit of