The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-07-25
TAFT AND THE PHILIPPINES.

TAFT AND THE PHILIPPINES.
There are still politicians who think
it wise to mix religion and politics. AL
ready from different sources it is hint.
ed that Taft is entitled to the support
Of Catholics because of his treatment
of the Church in the Philippines. 1t
is not claimed by even the friends OF
Mr.. Taft that he accorded to Catholic
Filipinoes anything more than was
justly due them. Nor is 1t claimed for
him that in his negotiations with the
Vatican that he parted with anything
Of value for which he did not receive
the full equivalent. AS a matter Of
fact, the Catholic church did not re-
ceive full compensation for the damage
done to its property in the Philippines.
In truth and in fact, what was done for
the Church was done grudgingly and
after long delay. The query then arises
whether. because Mr.. Taft favored do.
ing an act of partial Justice to the
Catholic Church in the Philippines,
Catholic voters Of the United States
ought to vote for him on that ground
alone.
There was a time in this country
when even small concessions were
gratefully received by Catholics That
time has. we hope, passed. Catholics
ought to receive the same treatment
as non Catholics. There is no reason,
when simple justice is accorded Cath
olics, why they should be grateful. Mr.
Taft may be entitled to support from
Catholics and undoubtedly will receive
the vote of Catholics who believe in
the political principles for which lie
stands. We do not believe. however,
that his dealings with the Church IN
the Philippines will add any to that
vote. The Boston Republic states the
case well when it says:
Here and there a. Catholic journal
puts forth a cautious support for can.
didate Taft, on the ground that re
treated Catholics we'll. AS If Catholics
were poor. miserable underlings. who
should be ever-lastingly grateful to any
non Catholic who gave them the mat
ter-of- course civility Of citizen to citi-
But has Mr.. Taft been 80 extraordinar-
lily kind to Catholics? When he went
to the Philippines as governor, the
nearly 100000 of American Catholics,
deeply interested in the welfare Of their
Filipino co-religionists, were not ask
ing for kindness but for justice. What
did they get? Tie American govern
ment was dealing with purely Cath
Ollie country and with such problems
as could rise in no other. There was
not one Catholic on the original Taft
commission. This. Of course. was tire
fault Of the federal government. But
what Of Taft's own attitude In tho
Philippines? He came with the m ,st
obvious bigotry and suspicion. We have
already discussed the anti Catholic at
SAtuUS u AlS government IN an earlier
issue Of the Republic So bad was
1t, indeed. that the Federation Of
American Catholic Societies and many
other Catholic agencies throughout the
United States. took up the matter and
clamored. day in and day out. to Wash.
inston, till finally the change came
over the spirit Of the administration.
There was one important Catholic
Influence which has not received prop.
er credit. It will be long before Cath
olics Of every degree know how much
they are indebted to Archbishop Ire.
land for the Improvement Of conditions
smong their co-relisionists in the Phil
ippines. Governor Tafts judicial mind
finally arose in some degree to the o..
casion. but American Catholics have
themselves to thank for the fairer con-
ditions now prevailing"