Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-12-02
GETS TAFT's VIEWS OF cATHo
Lie ISSUE.

The st. Paul Dispatch prints tn
following correspondence whic
passed between the Rev. Magnus Lal
son, pastor OF the Swedish Baptis
church Of that city. and Judge vii
liam H. Taft. The letter from MI
Larson was directed to Judge Taf
through the republican headquarter
in st. Paul. under date Of Sept. Q,
last. and the answer by dtdge Taf
was dated Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 8
last. Neither Of the letters have
last.
Question for TAFT.
The letter Of the Rev. Mr.. Larson
to Judge Taft says:
Dear Sir: Pardon a few questions
from an humble st. Paul preacher. /
wish. however. first Of all, to state
that have been an admirer of Pres.
ident Roosevelt, and have considered
him in many respects an ideal presi-
dent. Notwithstanding this. 1t eem
to me that he has put you in an en-
barrassing position when taking up.
on himself to be your protector, and
telling the people OF this country
what you are and what you will be.
The questions ! wish to ask con-
Germ your work In the Philippine is
lands, and your attitude towards the
Catholic church. Was 1t on your
Recommendation that $7,00O,000 were
paid to the Catholic church out OF
.he United States treasury. and t. at
the pope was consulted regarding
this deal? Did such deal voice the
sentiment Of the Finpinos? Was the
Uprising in the Philippines mostly in
the Spanish government. or against
the Catholic friars?
TAFT and Catholics.
In a speech in New York some
time ago. you made a plea for the
Roman Catholic church IN the PHILIP.
pines. making the statement that the
church was very poor. Is it not true
that half the population, or 1900, 900
people. are not Roman Catholics?
Il understand that the present gov
ernor is a Catholic.
Are you aware of the attitude he
fs taking against the Protestants
especially the teachers of the public
schools. who are forbidden to take
any interest in. any protestant work.
such as teaching In Sunday school
Or taking part in religious services? I?
| Have not thousands of dollars
been paid to friars for libraries they
have claimed to have been burned?
1t your conviction and policy that
Catholic dignitaries and the Catholic
church should have greater canslder.|
alton from public official and espec.|
Ially from the chief executive Of our1
nation. than any other recognized re-
ligious body!
"The questions are asked in all sim
cerity with view to get just and
right in my political attitude.
I have not one word to say against
the Catholic church or any other de-
but do contend that the
one shall not have any more favors
than the other. Although ami
at present confined to the hospital. IL
have decided to use my influence.
both with voice and pen, in favor
Of the man who is ready and willing
to uphold. protect or promulgate the
true--spirit of our. constitution, and
religious as we'll as commercial. in
and social orders. The Swed- |
are not SO great in
but they are loyal citizens.
and am quite sure they will be
heard from in the coming national
election.
This letter Is not written for the
purpose of making you believe that
the writer is a person who has some
influence or that he would |
be great vote getter for any politi- |
cal party. This is simply personal
letter-I have no objection to making
It public-and IL you choose to ans.
wer, well and good, II not take it
for granted that you do not care to
90 on record concerning the ques-
tlon, and in any event am an
swered. I am not politician but
am intensely interested in the welfareI
Of our country. and shall lend all
the influence and power that have
to see men elected to office who
shall feel the responsibility of the
confidence placed in them by a sove.
reign people. With very great re-
spect, am. Very truly yours.
(Signed) Mangus Larson,
Pastor of the Swedish Baptist
st. Paul, MINI.
Taft Makes Reply.
Judge Taft's answer follows:
My Dear Sir: l have your letter
Of Sept. 26. You ask me whether
$1500O,OO0 were paid to the Catholic |
ont of the United SmA.sztseasl
ary, ON my reoonmendattn. IEenagd
that 1t vas not. The friMsNsrieaE
tural lands in the Philippines. 1885,
900 acres, or about that amount, were |
purchased from the corporationl
formed by the three orders of the
Friars in the Philippines, and the
money was paid from bonds issued by
the Philippine government under the
of congress, and is a chargel
upon the Philippine islands. The
purchase was approved by the Fiji
pinos.
THE uprising in the Philippines: !:
was against the Spanish government, !
tI,a Cro,,ial, ,,,