The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-08-04

brought them to the magistrates, say
ing, These men, being Jews, Tor West
Virginians) do exceedingly trouble our
city, and teach customs, which are not
lawful for US to receive, neither to OBJ
serve, being Romans (or Maryland
ers). ="
Awful indeed. Preachers in politics.
Shame! Tim Sullivan or Matt Quay
and their like can go into politics and
nobody will say word. But if a
preacher condemns meanness somebody
bowls, Preacher in politics."
Paul finds his way into Athens. He
just had a little time to stay. Of
course, it would be an impertinence for
a recent arrival from Tarsus to cultured
Athens to say anything against existing
conditions. Paul is too modest for that.
But listen. Now, Athens is older than
Oakland is, famous all over the world
for her learning. Keep still Paul. But
he has the effrontery to say. "Ye men
of Athens, perceive that in all things
We are too superstitious. Now the
Athenians howl and cry, Preacher
meddling, preacher in politics."
But let us look at some more recent
illustrations.
There is politico-eccIesiastical body
in this country, commonly known as
the Roman Catholic church, that has
through all our history been the implac-
able foe of the public school, and has
sought by intrigue and intimidation,
and all other methods known to skillful
politicians, to have a division of the
school funds, and unfortunately in many
instances has succeeded. The read
ing Of the word of God in our public
schools has been persistently fought by
Catholic prelate, Jew and infde.
Leo XIII was the author of the fol
lowing: Furthermore, in politics,
which are inseparably bound up with
the laws of morality and religious du-
ties, men ought always, and in the first
place to serve. as far as possible, the
interests of Catholicism.
have in my possession a copy of the
famous telegram sent to the chairman
of the National Republican Convention
assembled in the city of St. Louis, Mo-,
in 1896, by John Ireland, because of
which the clause referring to public
schools and sectarian appropriations
was stricken out of the national plat
form. Talk about preachers in politics,
have in my possession the facts and
information which if given out would
startle the town of Oakland, and since
the challenge has been made | am
ready.
Wherever in this country our public
schools have gone into the hands OF
Roman Catholic officials, their useful
ness and power have been Iessened.
l am going to waive now the discus
sion of other matters for few para.
graphs on the Bible in the public
schools. | need not argue the impor.
lance of the public school. 1t has come
to stay. Popular government is moi
possible save in the embrace of genera
intelligence. You may found despot
ism on the muscle of a nation while it.
brain sleeps. You may marshal ar
army that shall stand, living wall Of
flesh, without letter of the alphabet
outside OF the commanders skull. But
you cannot maintain a free government
without the general diffusion of knowl
edge and the spread of intelligence. A
man to govern himself must under.
stand his needs and possibilities. Tt
see he must have eyes. How can this
intelligence be secured? History an
swers, "By the common school" Let
come what will, every lover of liberty
and friend of freedom must guard with