Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-08

seemed most acceptable candidate,
and we Of New York felt sure that hs
could carry the state-and be elected
president.
But Just when II seemed that all
were ready to unite In presenting JUS
tice Pratt's candidacy to the conven-
tion. some one suggested; But
the justice is Catholic. and I
am little afraid that in some
parts of the country the great
body OF Protestant voters would
refuse to support him because of his
religious beliefs
WELL said. Justice Pratt Is here.
Suppose we go to his room and ses
what he has to say about it7'
so we went to his room, and found
him In bed. for 1t was quite late
at night-nearly midnight as l re-
member It,
Justice Pratt, 1 said. there is a
strong feeling In the New York dele
cation in favor of offering you to the
convention as New York's candidate
for president But some of my friends
here doubt the wisdom of doing this
solely on the ground that you are a
member of the Catholic church,
Justice Pratt raised himself up in
bed. and looked over the little group
OF men standing before him.
I Will begin my reply by telling You
a war story he said, after a mo-
ment's hesitation There came a day
when I was desperately wounded In
battle | was told that my death was
oertaln-that II might be question OF
a few minutes, and 1 myself had no
expectation OF living more than an
hour OF two. So l wanted a clergyman,
and asked those around me to got mo
one.
"'Thcy sent out, and after searching
everywhere the only one that they
could End was q priest of the church
of Rome, the chaplain of an Irish regI-
ment. He came to me cheerfully. He
ministcred 10 my Immediate religious
and physical wants as tenderly as
any mother could have done. He did
everything that possibly could be
done for my comfort.
"'Hls kindness and consideration
made a profound impression upon me,
and then and there told him that I
wanted to be received into his church.
So he baptized me. administered tho
sacrament to me. and 1 have never
doubted that 1t was In part due to his
tenderness and sympathy and religious
support that. after lowering between
life and death for days. 1 was at last
restored to health. And since that
time I have been q consistent member
of the church of Rome
For a moment or two the JUS
tice paused as II in deep thought"
said Mr. Grace. Then he continued
The time Is not far distant, gentle
men. when no ones political character
Will be questioned because of his re-
liglous faith, but We are not yet quite
ready for 1t in this country. I doubt
II any member of my church. or IL
Hebrew, were nominated for president,
1t would be possible to escape the de-
nominational issue. But the time Is
not far distant when 1t will be No.
gentlemen. you must leave me out OF
your consideration. And now. as 1 am
very tired. will bid you all good
night
Thus" concluded Mr.. Grace. jug
t!ce Pratt refused a presidential nom-
nation. for l have never had any
doubt that he could have been NOM
mated. and I am sure that he would
have carried the state of New York.
And you know the ultimate result OF
his refusal: Hancock the superb was
nominated az n war Democrat and
lost New York and the election"