The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-10-29
A BID FOR CATHOLIC VOTES.
Republicans Send Out Political See
tartan Circular.

Republicans, Send Ont Political Sec
tartan Circular.
A circular emanating from Republican
sources, written by wv. T. Redmond"
pretending to be an ana iysis of the Phil
ippine question with reference to the
Catholic interests in the islands, is being
sent all over the country to Catholics with
the hope of making votes fer Mckinley.
The circular speaks of the danger OF the
FiliPinos ASS hing tho friars in the ISL
ands and of the necessity of retaining the
sovereignty Of the United States there IN
order to protect their lives and property.
One portion is as follows:
II the ignorant Filipinos cannot think
it possible that the United States desires
only justice. free from any sectarian
bias. or if7they cannot perceive how, in a
lawful manner, this country can protect
the rights of the friars and at the same
time correct their abuses of powers in
secular affairs, it is nevertheless the duty
of the United States to pursue those ends.
The Fiiipinos must be saved from the cons
sequences Of their own ignorance. Even
among the more educated Filipines there
is strange failure to comprehend how a
policy of eYen-handeG justice would be a
blessing alike to the people and the
church They have not been accustomed
to such rule and must be educated into an
understanding and appreciation of it.
danger to church interests and accuses
Aguinaldo of having started a reyolutiona-
~ movement against the friars, into which
many Catholics have been drawn. The
first unrestraiaed act of independent
Philippine Government, he says, like that
proposed by Bryan, would be to kill or ex-
pei the friars, and the Catholic Church, as
the true beneficiary or party in interest be
hind the friars. would be despoiled Of what
should rightfuIIy belong to it.
This document has been widely dissem-
mated for campaign purposes.
A Catholic priest in discussing the cir
cular, said:
The man who wrote that Redmond cir
cular is as ignorant of the true feelings
of American Catholic as he is impudent
in assuming that they are bound to tram
pie under their feet all loyalty to their
country whenever the interests OF their
CoreligioniEtS are in question. This is the
vulgar imputation that makes the start
ing point of all anti-Catholic controversy
What do I or any other Catholic care about
the fortunes of the Philippine friars If the
United States is unconstitutionaily on Phil
ippine territory? That is the only and the
very simple question involved in the case.
About it there may be an honest difference
of opinion. Have We any right TO be there
at all the Spanish war being a thing OF
the past?
1t s likely IEdl very many CdlHoIICo
are oil the opinion that we have l. in
common with many others, think that
consistently with our past history. with
the teachings of he men who made orr
country, with our fidelity to the Constitu-
ton, We have no right to be there at all
| But with all this the question OF religion
| has absolutely nothing TO do, and nc
| American Catholic is called upon to con-
| Germ himself about the situation other
urls Faan m foe
| certain of his coreligionists find them
| selves between the devil and the deer
| sea.
| cit is not the first time in history that
| the same spectacle has been afforded. and
| I do not recall that the United States
| Government felt called upon to interfere
! in behalf Of prosecuted monks and nuns
Zone thing f. plain to nay mind: HAVING
| no business there. We are bound by loyal
| ty to our past to recede as quickly Il
possible from false position. II Mr.. Nc
| Kinley and his advisers viii not do this
| then give Mr. Bryan a chance to dea
| with the situation in his way. That il
doing so he VIII have due regard to tbs
| claims of humanity and justice as far a!
| he can consistently with his sworn obi
| CATION to be faithful TO the Constitution
of the country we may not doubt. If any
one gets hurt as the result it's enc o
! the rcgrettabie things which viii occur il
| this imperfect world of ours.
IF the United States has withdraw
| the protection of Spain from any class c
people in the Philippines. it cannot. il
| ordinary humanity, leave them to TIL
tender nnerc{es OF men who are sworn Il
rob and do them TO death. But their re
| ligion plays no part in the merits of th'
| case and does not necessarily engage III
! interest of Catholics in America.
IN any view of the case. the Redmond
circular is an outrageous insult to III
Intelligence and loyalty OF every AmeTi
! can Catholic"