The Caucasian., 1911-05-30
A PROTEST
To the Executive Committee Of tht
Regulated saloon League.

came, you perhaps did not know
except in a general way what these
men would have to say, and are en-
titled to the benefit of that lgnor-
ance. But since these men have re-
prated these Calumnies and not one
of YOUR committee has raised an eff
fective word of protest, you can not
avoid the OblOquy of endorsing their
attacks on all religiOn-mine and
yours and your neighbor's.
| herein desire TO enter protest
against their misstatements with
reference to the Catholic Church,
leaving to others in interest to speak
for themselves. The aim of your
speakers has been to curry favor
with Catholics by showing that the
Catholic Church is on the side of
the saloon. In that behalf they
quote or misquote, among others,
Cardinal Gibbons. While the Opln-
ions Of Cardinal Gibbons, il correct
ly reported, are entitled to all due
respect as opinions, they are not in
any sense binding on Catholics as to
what must be their opinion as to
the saloon in Shreveport. Catholics
|are not accustomed to form their
political policies according to what
somebody else thinks, whether he be
an ecclesiastic or a hired man from
New Orleans or Memphis. They are
accustomed to think for themselves
and act accordingly, What Car
.dinal Gibbons thinks on the saloon
question does not in any sense COM
nit the Church, your man Fridays
statement to the contrary notwith-
standing. But when your orators
would have people believe that the
Catholic Church, as church, is in
favor of the saloon, they are dis
seminating falsehood, and since
they are your agents, you are re-
sponsible for their falsehoods.
However. the Catholic Church has
spoken on the saloon question. |
quote from the Acts and DEGREES of
the Council Of Baltimore, the voice
of the Church in America. This is
what ii says:
1T is not TO be doubted that among
the evils which we in this country
bitterly deplore is to be considered
the abuse of Intoxicating liquors.
Excess of this sort is the perpetual
tinder and the prolific origin Of mis-
cry. Abjeet ruin falls upon innum-
cradle men and upon whole families
and draws headlong to eternal dam
nation myriads of souls. Love of
religion and the fatherland imposes
upon all Christians the solemn dury
Of striving with all their might and
main to wipe out and uproot this
pestiferous evil
Finally, we admonish our people
who are engaged in the sale of in
toxicating liquors that they should
seriously consider how many and
how great dangers and with what
of sin their business, al
though a legal one, is surrounde&
Let them select il they may a more
respectable way of earning a living,
Now, both sides to this statement
ean not be true-the Church can
lot be for and against the saloon. |
Either the Council of Baltimore de-
,eived itself or your hired men are
,rying to deceive us. And | affirm
hat the Church speaking for itself |
S of greater authority as to where
t stands that your speakers. And
ret YOU hire these men to make the
and, after hearing them,
vou permit their repetition.
And what is it for? To catch
totes for the saloon. That is an
What other interest have you in the
Church or Catholics? None
whatever. You want the votes of
catholics TO bolster up the saloon,
nd are willing to go TO any extreme
# misrepresentation to secure a
.ote for the saloon. You seem to
hink chat Catholics are suckers"
sho can be herded like sheep and I
Ised by the saloon, if you can make
appear that the Church is in favor
{ the saloon. The Catholics of
lmerica have never been herded
or the benefit of any cause, and
ever will be. And last of all the
aloon. Some will vote for prohibi-
ion, and some will vote for the sa-
oon, but however they vote, it will |
G their own convictions and not be-
ause of your mems misrerresenta- K
ions. That is their method when
laying for the votes of Catholics /
brow US a few compliments on our ;
and freedom from big-l /
try, thinking we will be carried Is
way by a good word from the sa- I
BON pleaders.
But how is il when playing for ii
Z