Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-22
GOSSIP FROM GOTHAM
Movement to Amalgamate AL Roman
Catholic Societies.
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TEE PLAN
Tammany's Leaders Cannot Re-
strain Their Followers Enthusiasm
CASTELLANE'S HEAVY DEBTS
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, June IL 1860
II is stated here on excellent authority
that hard work is being lone ON plan
that has for its object 1.-THE federation of
all the societies in the United States COM
posed of Roman Catholic lay1nen, and some
Influential clergymen are said to be inter
eSted- According to the plan all Catholic
societies are to become affiliated in one
great union, although each separate or
e,iniZation is to retain its own individu
atty. This movement has the greatest DO
ltical significance. 1t is asserted that
Roman catholics in this country are I'M
fairy treated in some respects. and one
object Of the proposed federation would
tc to obtain for the church the recogni-
ton which. II is said is now denied it.
The projectors of the union hold that n
vast body of united Catholic voters would
be able to right whatever wrongs Catholics
now declared to labor under In this
respect, it is held by some Catholics the
federation would practically amount 10 a
Catholic political party. such for instance,
as the center party Of Germany. Because
"f the possibility Of the projected fedora
ton getting into politics. the idea is up-
posed Strenuously in some quarters. but
the advocates of the federation deny that it
N''bt' nave any tiiiii7 " W. ulitttiy VIII
politics.
Bishop McFaul of Trenton. n J., is
aTtn ny those who have warmly supported
th,. project Lately he has prepared an
address The influence of Catholic So
ci, ties that is being circulated extensively
in support of the federation idea. The
bishop says in his address:
III. "A recent letter to the national con-
vention of the A. o. II. (Ancient order of
Hihernians) / suggested a union Of our so
cicties, saying: 1t seems 10 me that our
So, il ties composed of Catholics should
dedvor to touch at certain points, 50 that
Willie each retains its identity and pursues
its own aims independently Of other or
GsIizatfons there may be bond of union
enabling them in given circumstances. TO
exert a concerted influence. This influence
should he felt in our state legislatures and
in the national Congress-whcrever bigots
attempt the invasion of our rights
Il was careful to state that il was not
my intention to advocate a Catholic po-
liiical party. We are 12UDoD in America.
yet how small is influence. What rep
res. Iration have we in state and national
affairs when we measure it with the pro-
portion we bear to the whole population of
tn. country? Would it not be better to be
divided between the two great political
parties For generations we have been
casting our votes for our fellow-citizens.
never asking what mars religion was,
ana. a rule. simply requiring that he
belong to certain political party. 1t has
not been with this impartiality that we
have been treated. If a Catholic presuracs
t. stand for any political office that saIde
indil idual who has enjoyed the beneht of
our @ufrages may, perhaps, be the first TO
cry out. Don't vote for him, he is d Cath
Ole
lit IS to be understood. of course. that
must be guided by principles: that our
ballots must be cast cOnscientiOusly. Any
other vote is unworthy of a free man. All
honor TO the Protestants for the courage
with which they stand in the defense of
their rights. They are faithful to the max
m Eternal vigilance is the pricf of lib-
erty.' We are so accustomed to suffering
that we readily resign ourselves to il and
utter only a feeble cry when it has be-
come unbearable. We have been silent while
enemies Were pushing US to the wall.
and the impression has been gradually gain
ing ground that anything WAS good enough
for us, and ourselves Were beginning
To clasp the hand Offering the slightest
recognition. W. should not be content with
remaining in .ae background We must
push To the front
Tnmmnny and Kansas City.
The meeting of the Tammany district
leaders Tammany Hall to arrange de-
tails for the trip to Kansas City has dis
closed the fact that there is lack Of in
terest in the higher councils as regards the
convention There will be a number of the
notable braves who will be conspicuous by
their absence when Tammany takes the
trail to Kansas City. Lawrence Delmour.
Tax Commissioner Feitner. City Clerk
Scuily, Street Cleaning Commissioner Maggie.
Water Commits SiOner Dalton and Highway
Commissioner X tirg are among others
who say that official duties demand their
presence al home over July 4. In one form
or another the excuses Of these men have
been presented. either in person or through
district leaders, but at bottom the real
cause of the slump is lack of interest Tam
many's high councillors are. if the truth be
known taking more interest in the action
upon Roosevelt at Phlade' phia than in the
prospects for the convention at Kansas