Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-11-16
DIFFER WITH PRESIDENT.
Lutheran Pastors Take Issue With
His Views on Religion and Office.

New York, Nov 15.-Ir an open letter
to President Roosevelt the original of
which. it is stated. was mailed to the
President Saturday night, and copy OF
which was made public here today. the
New York City members of the Synod'cai
Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran
church Of America take issue with the
President. over the letter. made public a
week ago in which he denounced as TN
warranted bigotry" any refusal to vote
for candidate for high office because OF
sucn candidates membership in tine Ro-
man Catholic church.
The letter, it is announced, was author
lied at Il recent meeting of the vocal
Lutheran conference when Il committee
of two was directed to address the Pres
ident The letter to the President Ceclar-
ed that Il was "Subversive of he basic
principles of a real separation of church
an: state To permit the religious belief
or ncn-he,ief of any candidate fer puzzle
office To determine the casting of ones
vote for or against such candidate. ex-
cept When that very religious belief or
non-l lief antaeCniZCG the belief of sep
aration of church and state" This they
agreed with the President THAT these
citizens are to be severely criticized VINO
vote against a mar merely because he is
4 Enitaran, a jew, a Methodist or any
OF her religionist." But Tor centuries, the
letter Went or the Roman Catholic
church had denounced as wrong, and q
| condition only to be tolerated so long as
it could not be changed. this separation
| Of church and state, and also full r@llS-
ious liberty, freedom of conscience,
speech ana the press.
Are we rot then compelled to main
tain that a loyal Roman Catholic who
July understa nds the allegiance required
of him by the Pope can never sincerely
.1lbscribn to the federal constitution, nor,
if he does subscribe to the federal con-
stitution nor if he does subscribe to it.
never can be expected to abide by it, on
force and defend it?" asked the retter.
How could the subscribers 10 the doc
tine of separation of church and state.
the letter went ON, consistently help to
eject to thu Presidency Il Roman Catholic
so long as that church does not officially
revoke its "Dametrically opposed deter
minations?" the letter ended:
"ATc the two million and NOR" Luther
ians of this country not to speak OF the
millions of others, ProtCstants Who take
this position for the reasons stated to be
accused Of bigotry because of such stand,
aye, to be denounced as being disioyal
American citizens? We protest that it is
| neither personal feeling nor religious an
| tagonism which determines our attitude
| in this matter by solely our disagreement
with tho Roman Catholic church on this
basic principle. q disagreement growing
| out of the rejection and denunciat1on by
the Roman Catholic church of that very
principle which you admoniSh ali faith
| fully to uphold. not only in theory but in
practice.
| eve do not wish to be understood as
though to accuse the bulk of the Roman
| Catholics of being disloyal citizens. We
| sincerely believe a great many do not
fully realize that the position the hierar-
c,ly of the church maintains with refer
! ences to the principle in question, espe-
| ciallv in view of the outgoing of their
| teaching in this country and that. If it
| came to an issue compelling a decision
| either for the constitution or the Papal
| hierarchy they would decide in favor Of
the former, unfolding the constitution of
| the United States. Yet. in determining
| our attitude in this matter, especially
| when it comes to electinG q man to the
| highest rul lie office. we must be guided
hv the official teachings of the recognized
Authorities of the Roman Catholic chuch
We have considered it our DUTY not
to keep silent in this matter because In
our iudGment that would have been an
act of cowardice. nor do we wish TO do
anyone an injustice nor in any manner
tra1uce any man or body of men. If.
therefore, iii au2ht we have said we are
lah0rng under error. we shall be pleased
to have Won enlighten us, and with us the
millions who occupy the same position
and shall he sincerely grateful to You
for such cnliShtment. But if we are right
in our contention and position, We ask
You to show your unquestioned SINGER
itv and courage by an acknowledgement
of tie correctness Of our contention and
the attitude based thereon
The letter is signed by Rev. William
| Schoenfeld, pastor of Emmanuel church.
and Rev Martin Walker. pastor of st,
Matthews church, also the members of
the conference committee.