The herald., 1898-03-15
Father Weber Set Right

To the Editor OF the Los Angeles Heraiu'
In a recent issue OF your paper read an
editorial entitled Loyalty of Catholics
1t is written In a generous and just spirit
yet unintentionally 1t does an injustice to
an injured party The reputation of the
archbishop Of New York was a work OF
supererogation. 1t was q reputation OF q
sermon that was never preached.
Now, sir, from your own experience, you
can bear testimony to the difficulty OF
downing lie once 1t Is started. II re-
member correctly, the editor of The Her
aid a short time ago spoke on public
question before an intelligent audience in
Los Angeles. He knows the value of Ian
guage. He spoke in defense Of justice and
fair play, and every person in that audi
ence understood him thoroughly. What
must have been his feelings a few days
later, on reading in "a great moral en-
gine," San Francisco paper. q report con-
veying a totally different and diametrical-
ly opposite meaning? No doubt he was as
tonished at such unjust and ungenerous
conduct. What did he do under the cir
cumstances? He did what any injured
party would do. He emphatically repudi-
ated the inference drawn and the interpret'
alton set upon his words. His denial and
emphatic reputation were accepted by
all fair-minded people as final and COM
plete. II some demanded more, then they
wrote themselves down with Dogberry
Now, what are the facts of the case ir
question? A few Sundays ago Father
Weber, temporarily connected with st
Peters Catholic church, Rondout. N. Y.
was reported as having preached sermon
in German, in which he was represented as
saying that, in case of war with Spain
American Catholics should take the part o1
that country. He had never given utter
ance to the words and sentiments put into
his mouth. No doubt he was astoundet
at the account. What did he do? He die
that which any injured party would do
He emphatically repudiated the paternity
of such reasonable sentiments. In justice
to him, ask you to insert his reputation
Here 1t is, in his own words:
''It is shameful lie that ever said
anything about the government or en-
couraged the taking up Of arms
against America. German-Americans
should always be loyal, as they have
splendid history. I said German
ashamed, of their ancestors. because
Germany is one of the greatest and
oldest Of nations, to which the world
owes a great deal on account of its
proficiency in all sciences. I said 1t
would not do to say, I am an Ameri-
can,' because everybody who abides by
the law of this country and
earns his daily bread In an
honest way Is a real American
and deserves all the protection and
advantages of this country, and you all,
my friends, should be such American
citizens. The whole article Is a mean
and groundless attack upon priest
who assists his friend, Rev. H. Kuh-
men, in st. Peters church"
How true the saying, "a lie once uttered
can never be recalled!' Let those who
think it can just try the experiment. Thi!
clear and unmistakable reputation on thu
part of the injured priest should settle thu
matter forever. But 1t will not. That liz
will still live down the ages, and in the
years to come may be quoted in defense Of
bigotry, just as the alleged saying of Gen
Lafayette, the statesman and patriot, 1:
going the rounds and doing service in thu
cause of prescription and bigotry.
CURIOSITY.