The San Francisco call., 1896-03-04

Tor enlistment receiving orders that emanated
from the Clam a.Gael, secretly plotting and
planning under the pretense of freeing Ire
land. We have seen priests testify in courts of
record without oath or affirmation being ad-
min1stered, free speech assaulted and our
country's flag torn to shreds-and vet some
would say that the time is inopportune for an
American organization such as ours.
Friends, in the face of great and pending
issues, the face of that which we have been
called upon to behold, where doth our duty
lie? We cannot do the work that remaineth
by congratulating ourselves over some few
small victories 1896 is year which will pass
down into history and be accorded place
which makes it distinctive, because of intense
political activities. We stand before the peo-
has ever been formulated. We have directly
and by implication made great professions and
promises, and the time is at hand when we
Will be given W an opportunity to prove our sin
abandoned: none that can be compromised,
and he, who, as an A. P. A., cannot rise above
sell, and above party prejudices and party en-
standing foI, principles which underlie ii,
clashes with his political party, is not worthy
to be counted with u.s.. In fact, he is with us
for party or personal advantage only, and cares
not Tor our perpetuation as an order. To be
political organization, such ss ours and
not not political party is difficult: Com
ated with the various political organizations
it will of necessity require self-sacrifcing de-
yotlon to country upon our part to be enabled
nominees of that political organization against
which we have pitted ourselves in the years
running up TO the present time. Yet this is
one thing that we must be willing to do if we
are true to our obligations, where in the
Judgment of our order it is for the best interes:
OF orr cause and country for us TO do so. Some
OF the dangerous rocks around which we must
steer will be found In that desire for patronage,
upon the part OF some of our members which
makes this subject one that supplants prin-
ciple. Should the time come when patronage
not principle, actuates us we are on the thresh-
old of disintegration and in the throes of death.
Our weakness has been and will be found first,
in our failure to realize the force and cunning
OF our enemy; second, in our inordinate desire
for numerical strength and consequent loose
ness In admitting members; third, IN allowing
our personal prejudices and preferences to in
f1uence at times when the individual should
merge into the order for the good of great
cause.
We cannot study too carefully our weakness,
for the order or organization that studies we'll
its weak points builds most substantially for
the future. This is critical moment in the
history of our country The leaders of the
komanlsts are aggressive, cunning and deter
mined. They realize that the struggle is on
and that 1t is one which means the ultimate
defeat OF the Roman Catholic church in the
politics not alone OF the United States, but of
the world, or the overthrow of her opponents.
They recognize furthermore, that if they can
succeed in defeating disorganizing the
American Protective Association In so doing
they shall have won victory the tidal wave
laws conferriDg privileges such as exemption
from taxation OF certain properties; secure
continued and additional appropriations for
their institutions; divide the school money
and enable the church to dominate and direct
in the distribution of patronage to her own
advancement until ner every post and posi-
ton will be so strengthened that her political
power will be almost omnipotent Hence the
critical moment. Romes victory is Americas
defeat
deem it fitting at time like this to direct
your attention to needed State legislation, and
how best to accomplish it. Before another
State Council convenes we shall have elected
Legislature in California;; during the time that
will elapse before that election our attention
will be given very largely 10 the Presidential
campaign. We should never lose sight, how
ever, OF the very important fact that some OF
the questions in which we are most interested
as citizens of California are questions that
properly come before our State Legislature for
settlement. l am fully persuaded that the
school law of California should he so amended
as to require a uniform standard in the exami-
nation OF all applicants for teachers certif-
Gates and a uniform series of textbooks In all
branches taught in our public schools; also
that the State furnish textbooks free TO the
children who attend our public schools, and
that the State Board of Education require all
private schools in their primary departments
that teach the English language to use the
same textbooks that are used in our pubic
schools; also that the high school be made a
public school, supported out OF the State and
county school fund This last recommends
come. in my opinion. when our public school
system should be complete, from the primary
department to university course. The high
school is the peoples college, and should be
supported by the State.
All private in name, but quasi-public in
fact. institutions should be open at all times to
public inspection, and law should be placed
upon our statutebooks to that effect. All
asylums, reformatories, schools or other insti-
tutions receiving any aid from the State by
public appropriation of money, under what
ever pretext, should be under State control.
l believe, furthermore that very much evil
often results from the fact that designing men
fcials, thereby placing said officers under obli-
CATION to them and then taking advantage of
that obligation, and ii some law could be en-
acted whereby this source of evil could be
stopped much good would be accomplished
thereby.
We are organized in cause which is des-
tined to lit governments from their hinges,
therefore let us be careful in the formation
work. We must be sufficiently far-sighted to
look beyond immediate effects in the midst of
abnormal political conditions; be deaf at times
TO the clamor OF fsentlment, and with steady cool
calculating statesmanlike determinau IN inau-
gurate methods and systems that shall beget
normal political conditions resulting in
the enactment of laws that shall mold and
build for the future. Personal consequences
weigh with towards only at time when great
principles are in the balance
With pleasure we mention the w. A. P. A.
work within our State. During the year
State Council of the W. A. P. A. has been or
ganiZed and that most helpful auxiliary has
entered upon the grand work of its mission in
a way that commends the zeal, patriotism and
self-sacricing devotion to the cause of hu-
marty on the part of our noble American
women to ali lovers of liberty.
Mrs. NJ. E. Richardson, the most worthy State
president of our auxiliary, is working earnestly
and wisely for the u pholding of the order, and
we trust that the American Protective Associ-
alton councils within this jurisdiction will ap-
preciate the value of the w. A. P. A. and lend
all assistance possible.
The junior A. p. A. councils are organic ing
and We believe much good will be the outcome
OF this department of our work.