The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-08-29
NO RELIGIOUS TEST.

NO RELIGIOUS TEST.
The New World of Chicago corrects
certain assertions which have been
made in connection with the candidacy
of John Mitchell for the vice. presiden-
tial nomination at Denver
Several Catholic journals. especial
ly in the East, have editorially and
otherwise contained statements to tbs
effect that he reason John MITCHELL
former president Of the United Mine
Workers of America did not consent
to nomination for vice president Of the
United States on the Democrat:
ticket was because he was opposed by
William Jennings Bryan. 1t has beer
openly asserted that his opposition
arose because the famous labor leader
is Catholic. Mr.. Bryan, according to
statement believing that the cand;-
dacy cf such a man would doom the
party ticket to defeat With regard &,
the assertion that Mr.. Bryan was hos
the laters religion we are permitted
to publish the following letter written
by the Democratic leader, under tn,
date of August sth. to Mr.. James r.
Donahue of Ottawa. Ill
MY dear sir: The statement ia
which you refer is not true / ex-
pressed my willingness to have MI.
Mitchell nominated. never heard tn,
Catholic argument raised against Mr.
Mitchell. and his nomination was IA
vored by many Professionals. If Vol
will write to Mr. J. b. Sullivan Of Des
Moines. Ia, a Catholic, he will t,A
you that I have publically expressed
my willingness to have him nominat-
ed. l have been associated with Cath
oirs ever since have been in politics
and l am willing to take their opinion
as to my freedom from prejudice o.
this subject. Honorable I. J. Dunn.
who put me in nomination at Denver
is Catholic. Honorable c. j. Smith,
of Omaha. who is the chairman OF tn
delegation at Chicago. is a Cathol;:
The president Of the Bryan Volunteers
Of Nebraska. Arthur T. Mullen, Of
C'Neill. is Catholic Mr.. A. V. john
son. the president Of the Lincoln Tray
cling Mems Bryan Club is a Catholi..
And ] might give any number of 9TH
ers who are among my warme
friends. This, however. is enough ia
show you the unfairness Of the criti.
oism. Very truly yours,
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
The World rightly says:
This ought to settle the charge thai
count Of his religion or on any ac-
count whatever. We have no doult
hut such Of our esteemed contemr,-
raries as have been misled in making
the accusation will correct the blunt.er
as soon as they learn the truth. AS
matter OF simple truth. however we
do not believe that any one is justi-
fled in charging either Mr. Bryan or
Mr.. Taft with being prejudiced against
Catholicity. Both are able homes,
earnest Americans. and this should
sufflce. Let them make the race on
their merits and on the merits of their
respective platforms. and leave the
voters OF the country to make tie
choice
To all this we say Amen. Those
who become citizens Of this countrs
by abjuring allegiance to foreign
princes and states and by swearing to
support the Constitution OF the United
States. have it impressed upon their
minds that no religious test is per-
mitted in this country. Those who
are born within the jurisdiction Of the
United States and under it's flag and
thus become citizens ought to practice
the theory which they preach.