New-York tribune., 1908-11-16
A R0MANIST PRESIDENT !
LutherdHs Asb Mr. Rooseuelt Hou
Catholic Could Fulfil Duties.

An ope1 letter to President Roosevelt was made
pubic yesterday BY New York City members of
the STnodics1 Conference of the EvangencaI
Lutheran Church Of Ame-i,a body Of mora
than 5000 csrEvmen. n which thev took fssus with
the President because mis- recent statement that
any refusal to vote for candidate for high Office
because OF his membership in the Rornsn Catholic
church would be 'unvarranted bgotrv-'' Their
position was that the Rou1anisf Church vas ALSO
lutely committed. through its official pronounce
mentE history and literature. to the union Of
church and State with the Church dominant, and
that therefore a devout and loyal Roman Catholic
would hn6 his duty his Church variance with
his duties unGer the Constitution of the United
states. The document intended to combat the
argument OF any Church body which tried 10 prove
mat Romanist President could fulfil his duties 10
both nation and Church. The authors Of IT are
opposed to the Introduction OF religious coutro-
veTSy in political discussion.
At meeting of the local members OF the
Lutheran Conference last Tuesday committee.
consisting of the Rev. William Schoenfeld. pastor
OF Emmanuel Church. SSth street and Lexington
avenue and the Rev. Martin Walker. pastor Of
St Matthews Church. f45th street and Convent
President.
The letter 10 the President was mailed on Satur-
day night. It declared that II was 'subversive Of
the basic principles of zeal separation of Church
and State TO permit the religious belief nonbelief
of any candidate fer public Office determine the
casting of ones vote for against such candi-
date. except when that very religious belief non
belief sntagonizes this principle OF complete sepa-
ration OF Church and State Thus they agreed
with the President that those citizens are to he
severely criticised who vote against merely
because he is Unitarian, i Jew, Methodist or
any other regiouist-'
But centuries, the letter or. the Roman
Catholic Church had denounced az wrong, and as
a condition only to be tolerated long it
could not be changed. this separation of Church
and State, and also full religious liberty freedom
OF conscience speech and the press. The letter,
suhstantiate these statements, quoted from Pope
X in his syllabus Of 1854. Leo XII in encyccals,
ard Cardinal Gibbons in mis- book The Faith of
Our Fathers"
Are We not then compelled to maintain that
loyal Roman Catholic who fully understands the
allegiance required Of him by the Pope can never
sincerely subscribe 10 the Federal Constitution.
nor, if he does subscribe TO It. never can be ex-
pected 10 abide by IL enforce and defend it,"
asked the letter.
How could the subscribers to the doctrine of
separation of Church and State. the letter went
consistently hep to elect 10 the Presidency
Roman Catholic so long that Church does not
officially revoke its dramatically opposed decsra-
tions-'2 The letter ended:
Are the two million and more Lutherans Of this
country not TO speak Of the millions OF other Prot
estants, who take this position Tor the reasons
cause Of such their stand. aye be denounced as be
ing disoys American citizens? We protest thSt II
which determines attitude in this matter, but
solely our disagreement with the Roman Catholic
Church this basic political principle disagree
nent growing out Of the rejection and denunclatoo
by the Roman Catholic Church Of that very pTln-
ciple which you admonish all faithfully TO uphold,
not only in theory. but in practice.
We do wish to be understood as though 10
accuse the bulk Of the Roman Catholics OF being
disloyaT American citizens We sincerely believe
a great many do not fully realize the position
hierarchy of their Church maintains. with REFER
ence TO the principle in question especially in view
outgiyings OF their teachers IN this country,
and that Il Il issue compelling a ne-
rfSOn either for the Constitution the Paps hier-
archv they would decide IN favor OF the former up
holding the Constitution of the United States et,
IN determining our attitude IN this matter espe
-ialy when II 70 eect1ng man to The nigh
public office. must be guided hT the ofCla!
teachings Of the recognized authorities of the Ro-
nan Catholic Church
We have considered it 70 be our duty net 70 keep
silence in this matter beCa1IEe, in judgment
hst would nave been act Of CovaTdics. nor %
ne wish 70 do any one injustice nor N any
"a trzducs any boGT Of men II. there
ore, in a1ght We have said are lsbor1ng under I
=FTor shall be pleased TO have YOU enhghten /
y, millions who the same
1oSition and shall be sincerely grateful 70 you for
;Ich enlightenment But Il are right in our /
,oute-tior and position. YOU show voI-
sincerity and courage hy acknorl- /
.dEneut OF the correctness Of our contention and
he attitude based thereon