The Washington herald., 1909-04-28
NOTED AMERICANS
CONTRAST RELIGION
BOnaparte DefendSLiberality
of Catholicism.
HEAR EDUCATORS AT CONGRESS
Representing Various Churches, the
Federation of Religious Liberals
H-ss.~- In philadelphia to Discuss
izenShiP-BoOker T.
ISeS the Negro.

-Flayiag Unmerei-
Il food. the Geceiv-
,.- -s Of that tx. Dr.
" H p. Faunce, president of Brown
University, fo-nigh; declared that these
men. and not the footpads and burglars.
are the worst thieves Of our times.
Speaking as a representative Of Protest
antism. he was defining the religion of
the members Of that faith 20 good citi-
zenship before The delegates 10 the first
congress Of the National Federation OF
Religious Liberals. which began tonight
| in the meeting house OF the Society OF
Friends.
The programme for the evening was
devoted to a discussion Of the relation OF
the jew. the Roman Catholic. the Prot
estaHt. and the negro 10 good citizenship:
but after President Henry ". Wilbur had
called the federation 10 order. he an
nOUnCed that Oscar Straus. Of New York
former United States Secretary of Com
merce and Labor. who vas 70 have re-
spOnded for the Jews, could not be pres
ent on account OF the illness OF his son
Tells of Church's Growth.
Dwelling IN detail upon the growth Of
the Roman Catholic Church IN the United
States. and arguing that this very growth
showed that free institutions are con
genial 10 that church. Charles J. Bona
parte said. in part:
1T IS true that within the last century
and q quarter the growth Of this coun-
try has been marvellous. but the growth
Of the Catholic Church in this country
has been far more marvellous. While the
number Of Americans has increased some
twenty OF twenty-five fold. the number Of
American Catholics has increased nearly
or quite 80 fold
7 was asked to speak Of The Roman
Catholic and good citizenship The term
Roman Catholic Is justifed in oar eoun-
try by convenience. by usage and by
isw. but II must be remembered that for
those thus designated there Is no such
thing as Roman Catholic Church
TIE church OF which they are members
is Catholic and Romaa-Rurnan because
in fellowship with the See Of Rome and
obedient TO the Roman Ponti1: Catholic
because, according TO its creed. It ought
70 eXten0 20 every land and ought to
Include every human being
I am here 10 point out why American
Catholics are bound By their own doc
trines 70 be good citizens. wny the growth
snd vigor Of the Catholic Church in
America is rightfuIIy understood. IS d
source OF strength. and a cause OF thank
fitness to those who would make all
Americans better citizens. 7 an Unwiil-
ins 70 show the respect Of an answer for
mere ealumnies OF mere reTilings. wnstl>
er Of my church or OF her children
AffirmS No Power.
President FaUnce. who followed Mr.
Bonsparte, said Professionalism afirms
that no power. civil or ecclesiastical. can
dictate mans thought. Il claims for
every man the right Of access to God
unhampered by any priests. ritual or
formula
7 wouldn't belong TO any other race IL
could said Booker T. Washington
negro leader and president or Tuskegee
Institute. If Providence should ask me
what color wanted my skin 10 be.
would say make me an American negro
The congress VIII resume its sessions