Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-06-02
m ANSWER TO FATHER CROWLEY
Says Reporter Did His Sermon An Injustice
Thinks Father CrOwleys Letter Would Never Have
Been Written Had He Heard the Discourse.
1143 Baldwin Street, City
June 2. 1904.

WCON Vv4AS@044 49~~SA @@N
1143 Baldwin Street, City.
June 2, 1904.
Ritor Waterbury Democrat
a,. Sir-Mvg attention has been
to your issue of Tuesday, the
1lt. in which Rev Father Crowley,
r of st Thomas church, takes is
with what / said in my sermon
Sunday night.
do not have any aspiration Tor
spaper notoriety-neither Go l
I wish to enter into any controversy
Ssvith my Catholic friends. but in JUS
tice to myself and to my church | beg
of YOU permission to correct mlsun-
derstandirg. In doing so, lay no
claim to scholastic ability nor will at
tempt to display any remarkable cru
dition. I am content to appear just
as my brother evidently would have
me. have, however, confidence In
the sanity. and justice of both Father
Crowley and his good people. If an
IIrishman is a true one. know he
loves fair play. / am of the opinion
that the answer of Father Crowley
would never have been written had he
heard the address in full. There is
nothing 90 damaging las half truth. 1
was very much astounded by the re-
mark made to me by an nfidel. He
said that he could prove by the Bible
that there was no God. / asked him
to explain himself and he quoted
Psalm Il: "There is no God" be
failed to stipulate, however, that 1t
was the fool who said thus in his
heart
Monday mornings Republican quot
ed few statements, but they were
taken out Of their original setting, and
thus the intent and purpose was
Ahwarted. Il find nothing harsh in my
heart for the reporter for putting 1t
as he did. for have learned from ex-
perience as former reporter that it is
/. the unusual and that calculated to
make furore which is the most de-
sirabIe SCOOP" have learned to
take much of salt with my newspaper
reading. There was considerable
truth in the answer that the German
gave the Englishman who asked him
what was the queerest of alf animals.
He replied readily that it was a re-
porter, because his tail Ctale) came out
of his head. The reporter would have
served his fellows better had he in
stead reported some Of the strong
\
NV remarks regarding immigration
were not directed toward the Irish
race as the article would have one be-
Iieve. I did refer to the great horde
that is flowing in upon our shore from
Southern Europe, and / most bitterly
lamented the fact that these people
refused to be amalgamated, but con-
tfnued as a separate element in our
midst. To substantfate this / re-
ferred to Poland in Chicago; Bohemia
in Buffalo, Little Italy and Chinatown
in several Of our cities. In tracing
the history of the question how nat
ural to refer to the Irish and state
/, Qor 1T is a singular fact) that there
are more Irish here than in Ireland.
Who dares deny it? But would not
care If there were ten times as many
here, If they are true men and loyal
Americans. they are my kinsmen. I
could say the same of the 100000 or
upwards of Germans or any other MA
tionality that fits the condition.
have no quarrel with the people of
the Emerald Isle-nay, to the con-
trary, find much In them to admire.
I am ready to admit that the Irishman
makes a good citizen-he very quick
ly adopts our ways and is easily as
simulated. AS far as the problem of
immigration is concerned. the Irish
man is an infnitesimal part OF it.
Every watchful student knows that
the food that comes in upon us to-day
7 is not as it was a half century ago,
from Northern and Western Europe;
but from the southern and eastern
portions.
In 1872 we received from England
69,764, but in 1902 only 1855.
From Ireland we received in 1872,
6S,732, but in 1902 only 90, 1873.
From Germany in 1872, 141, 100, but
in 1902, 28,304.
From these countries it is diminish
ing.
But the contrary is true Of other
parts.
Italy sent us in 1872. 4, 100, but In
1902. 178.375.
Austria-Hungary gave us in 1872,
4.41O. but in 1902 increased to III, $3.50.
Russia and Finland gave us in 1872,
1865. but in 1902 the sum of 107, BAT.
Scandinavia gave US in 1872, 24,885,
but in 1902 increased to 48.37S.
In 1902 the number that came to us
was 73O. 1876; of this number. 17S.375
came from Italy. 1O7.347 from Russia
and Poland, and III, $3.50 from Austria
Hungary.
A little figuring gives 60 per cent Of
all from these three countries.
When cry out against this evil
why should I be charged with refer
ring to the Irish? 1 find no warrant
for speaking disparagingly of them.
nor would Father Crowley have occa-
sion to find fault if he had heard all.
believe every true Irish-American
WIFI sustain me in declaring
It menace to our free institutions to
allow so many to come to our shores
who never intend to make good citi-
l am fearfully mistaken if the Irish
Americans of Waterbury do not de-
plore the influx of this army of Po-
ianders, Italians and Huns. 1t was
FAR from my purpose to make a foot
ball of the Erin people or to speak de-
rogatory of any faith. 1 have again
and again In public address challenged