The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-08-13

Rome.
CATHOLICS NOT GOVERNMENT WARDS.
Considerable attention has been
given by the Republican press to an
editorial which appeared in the last
issue of the Boston Pilot. The edi-
torial referred to expressed admira-
ton for President Roosevelt because
of his fairness toward Catholics. 1t
expresses the admiration of the editor
for the man and is no more fulsome in
praise of some of Roosevelt's cllarac-
teristics than has been the praise of
many independent journals who are
now supporting Judge Parker. The
Pilot may support President Roosevelt
and If so we are not inclined to min
imize the effect of that support, for the
Pilot enjoys an enviable reputation
among publications Of it's class.
We are, however, bound to take is
sue with the Pilot on the answer
which it makes to the question of
subscriber as to whether or not 'per-
| Sonal admiration Of the Republican
candidate is to be placed above the
platform and the candidate of the re-
united Democracy" The Pilot an
swers the subscriber by referring to
the fact that Roosevelt saved a men,
hnr Of tha urostonor's foo,;Ix, rro,.
the loss of position at the hands of
an official who attempted to discrimin-
ate against that member because he
was a Catholic. Assuming the fact
| to he as stated, we see no reason why
any Catholic who is Democrat
should support Roosevelt for that
deed. The evident attitude of the
subscriber" is much more logical
than that of the Pilot Subscriber"
evidently, if he knows of the fact re-
ferred to by the Pilot, does not regard
| that as reason why lie should dis
regard his political opinions simply
because Mr.. Roosevelt acted in con-
+, sOllance with the Declaration of indie
/ pendence and the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
Surely, Disregard of fundamental prin-
ciples has not become so common that
we must forget party principles and
support a president on the sole ground
that he does not sanction discr,nina-
ton against people because of their re-
ligion. We are glad to testify to the
eminent fairness of President RooSe-
welt and his race and creed cosmopoli-
tism in politics. In that respect, how
ever he differs in no WAY from the
great majority of American citizens.
The Pilot says that it sis gratefully
mindful of what Theodore Roosevelt
has done in the way of justice to our
co-religionists throughout his whole
career" Now 1t hardly seems neces-
sary that we should be so grateful for
acts of Justice done toward us by a
public official IN the discharge of his
duty that we must disregard party
policy In order to show that gratitude.
The Catholics of the United States are
no longer that weak and supplicnting
population which must cover before
those in high position in return for
justice and freedom from persecution.
The Catholic population of 15.OOO,OOO
with almost 100000 votes in the
United States are pretty sure to get
justice If they demand and insist up
on it. We insist that the matter called
up by the Pilot is not Il political issue,
and consequently, while the reasons
assigned by the Pilot may be sufficient
in the mind Of its editor for support
ing Roosevelt, they are no basis what
ever upon which to ask Catholics who
happen to be Democrats to support
the president.
We also call attention to the fact
that Mr.. Roosevelt's party has ever
been the party Of restriction and mar
rowness. 1t was one Of its distin.
guished leaders who last winter in
the house of representatives referred
to distinguished Irish Catholic ora
tor and statesman as one of many poll
teal agitators who had left their ma
tive country for their country's good.
We refer the Pilot to the attitude of
Mr. Roosevelt's party toward our CO.
religionists in the Philippines, whose
chief offense seems to be the color Of
their skins. We also ask the Pilot
to consider Mr.. Roosevslt's acts of
justice toward our politically weak
co-religionists in Colombia. We have
no quarrel with the Pilot for doing its
duty as it sees that duty, but we do
object to being asked to support Mr..