The Irish standard., 1900-08-11
ADDRESS TO KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Nothing More Than Their Rights
Asked by Catholics.
NOTHING LESS WILL SATISFY THEM
Must Possess All the Rights of
American Citizens.

Rt. Rev. James A. McFaul, Bishop of
Trenton, N. J., Saturday, Aug. d, ad-
dressed the Knights of Columbus, as
sembled at Atlantic City, N. j., to cele-
brate tembarkation Day." The subject
was the same as that which attracted
SO much public attention to his address
delivered about two months ago at
Trenton "The Influence OF Organic
ation." The Bishop said in part:
1T gives me much pleasure to be with
you on this memorable and interesting
occasion when you celebrate 'Embarka-
ton Day. and bring out prominently in
the exercises of your Order the impor-
tance Of the voyage of the great Colum-
bus to the New World, and its effects
upon the destiny of the nations. Be.
sides, the theme upon which 1 have been
invited to address you is congenial-
one which is very dear to me: The
Influence of Organizations for, it reach
es out along the same lines as the ad-
dress which l had the honor to deliver
before your brother Knights i'll Trenton.
You are we'll aware OF the prominence
which has been given to the thoughts
expressed on that occasion. The sub
ject treated has been widely discussed,
and it is to be hoped that Catholics as
we'll as non-Cathoics are now begin
ming to realize that there is much dis
elimination against Catholics; that big
otry has not only strivcn to prevent us
from obtaining Our rights as American
citizens, but that in very many in
stances, it has succeeded.
You remember that, in my Trenton
address, l distinctly stated my opposi-
ton to Catholic political party, saying
that such movement WOULD be unwise;
that I even went so far as to advise
against the excessive accentuation Of
Our rights as American citizens. This
clear declaration of my position, how
ever, was of no avail. The bigots i'm
mediately commenced to misrepresent
me. They always know what a Catho-
lie bishop, or Catholic priest, intends
to say better than he does himself. In
vain does he protest, in the clearest
language, that he has been misrepre-
sented They are too shrewd to be
duped, and are certain that he means
just the very opposite OF what he as
serts. They scent their prey from afar,
and are of the number OF those so well
designated by one of our public men
when he said: they know it all, but gen.
orally know it all wrong
"But why should we take up our time
with misrepresentation? The bigots,
after all, are in minority. Americans,
as rule, are intelligent and liberal
minded-anxious that all men shall pos
sess equal rights, and ready to assist in
just and honorable cause--to them we
make our appeal. This great audience
will applaud the courage with which we
express our convictions; stand shoulder
to shoulder with us in the attainment of
our rights, and assist US to redress the
grievances we are suffering. 1t is nee
essary, however, to assure them that we
make no demand simply as Catholics; {;
but that we insist on possessing all the
rights and privileges of American citi-
zens; and that we will endeavor, by
every legitimate means guaranteed to
American citizens, to obtain them.
"Let no one suppose that this is a
movement to introduce Catholics, as
Catholics, to political Office. We know
very we'll that in the United States po-
litical office does not belong to the ad-
herence of any form OF religion, as SUCH
1t is, however, the right Of every Amer
ican citizen, possessing the requisite
qualifications for political office, not to
be Disseminated against simply because
he is Catholic, or because he has
favored Catholics, when there was ques-
ton of their rights as citizens.
"Non-Catholics tell us: Keep religion
out of politics. We reply: That is just
what we desire But they hardly prac-
tice their own advice or we would cer-
tainly see Catholics better represented,
in proportion to their numbers, in the
affairs of our country.
"It is not against any political party,
as such, that we are directing the atten-
ton of Catholics. With party affilia-
tions we do not desire to interfere. In
our political and civil relations we must,
indeed. be guided and controlled BY the