The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-11-14
THELETTER SPEAKS THE MAN.

Secretary Tafts religion is purely his own
private concern, and not a matter for general dis
eussion and political discrimination"
Thus wrote Theodore Roosevelt the president
and the man, in answer to those words of ]. G.
Martin, the partisan and bigot
"While it is claimed almost universally that
religion should not enter into politics. yet there is
no denying that it does, and the mass of the
voters that are not Catholics will not support
man for any Office, especially for president of the
United States, who is Roman Catholic"
All rightminded honest men of every sect and
class, now that the turmoil and bitterness of the
election are over, will welcome those words of q
high-minded president, president who, to use
his own words, has consistently tried during his
term of Office to act in equal relation to his
felow-Americans of Catholic faith and all creels
Had he followed any other course. he tells us. he
would be unfit to represent the American peo-
ple Noble, outspoken words these are. and sew
enteen millions of Catholics honor and esteem
highly the man who has given utterance to them.
as they condemn in no unwavering or uncertain
voice the partisan and bigot who would have
Protestant Americans or Americans of no creed
believe that mo good can come out of Nazareth"
No, Mr.. Martin, you cannot revive bigotry. much
as you might like to do it; you will not bring us
back again to the days of the auto de fe; even
for you will not nail each other up to crosses
on the public street, or burn each other at the
stake. Mr.. Martin should bear in mind that
Kensit has place in America and the Non
Conformsts rule not the destinies of this glorious
this free nation
In American politics mans religion should not
be questioned. If one is suited to a government
position any public position of trust, adapted
by learning, sterling honesty and integrity of
purpose, religion should be no bar TO his getting
it. The president simply expresses the real senti-
ment of the true American spirit when he says.
81 should reprobate in the severest terms the
Catholics in those states Tor in any other states)
who refuse to vote for the most fit man because
he happened to be Protestant and my condem
nation would be exactly as severe for Protestants
who under reversed circumstances, refused to vote
for Catholic
This in reply to Mr.. Martins silly obiec
ton that "the mass of the voters were not Cath
olics." No church has a monopoly Of the voters
If the objection had any logical significance it
would mean that the numerical strength of
churchs membership alone entitled it to consid-
Grafton in appealing to voters. But the numer-
cal strength of the Catholic Church in member
ship far exceeds that of any other church in
America In replying, President Roosevelt does
lot conceal his Indignation at the intolerant at
itude and groundless assumption of Mr. Martin
% far as the great mass of the voters is consid-
red. He writes:
4 believe that when you say this. you foully
lander your fellow-countrymen [ do not for .one
moment believe that the mass of our fellow citi-
ems, or that any considerable number of our
can be influenced by such narrow
gotry to refuse to vote for any thoroughly
Upright and fit man because he happens to have
PARTICULAR religious creed. Such a consideration
hould never be treated as a reason for either sup
orting or opposing a candidate for political
flee"
In this country, according to the Constitution.
very man has the legal right to select and observe
is religion long as he respects the equal
lights of others. This right the Catholic claims
nd vindcates for all Others Acting on this prin-
iple. the president tells how he has selected his