The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1912-05-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington City,
Nav q, 1912.

May q, 1912.
If Roosevelt is elected, as seems most
likely at this time, the Catholic vote
will figure largely in deciding the cleo
ton.
have already seen some literature
apparently sent out by the Roosevelt
campaign managers and bearing on
the subject. 1t shows how Roosevelt
plays both sides on this as on all other
matters. In 1904 he sent out circular
enumerating all the things he had done
for the Catholics-turned cover the
Philippines to them, gave them full
swing with the Indians, favored them
in various ways and had graduate of
Catholic university in his cabinet. 1t
was very strong bid for the Catholic
vote and Tammany Hall, which is Cath
Ollie and Democratic, broke away and
gave Roosevelt a tremendous vote.
When Roosevelt's term was out he
went on his triumphal tour to Rome
where he snubbed the Pope by going to
Methodist mission contrary to the
expressed wish of the Pope. This, of
course, offended many Catholics.
The campaign literature which Roose-
welt managers are now sending out is a
lot of stuff blowing about his independ-
ence-how he defed even the head of
the Catholic church.
Eight years ago he played the Catho-
lies. This year he is playing the Pro-
testants, or maybe he is playing both
according to how strong they are in
their respective neighborhoOds.
This becomes of political Importance
because of the effect in New York.
The Democratic vote in that state is
largely Catholic. While Roosevelt was
very popular in New York in 1904 he
has lost much of his popularity there
and it may be this Catholic matter may
seriously operate against him in No
Vember.
Roosevelt is the most popular Repu5-
iican of his day. So was James G..
Blaine. 1t was the Catholic vote THAT
knocked the presidency from the palm
of the Plumed Knight even as he ex-
tended his hand to grasp it. Rev. DR..
Burchard referred to the Democrats
as the party of ''Rum, Romanism land
Rebellion, and New York went for
Cleveland
Politics ought not to get mixed up
with religion. though | do wish we
could mix more Christianity with our
politics. But am not talking about
what ought to be. PmItalking about
what is, so as to put Marietta Journal
readers wise to the facts. | have
pointed out Roosevet's weak spot in
New York-the state that will decide
the presidential election in November.
Understand me distinctly am not
advocating the nomination of a man
who plays for the Catholic vote. |
merely point out that Roosevelt. hav
ing offended the1Catholic vote to which
be appealed in 1904 is now appealing
for the Protestant vote. 1t is his
weakness and not the cause of it that
| am calling attention to, for if there
as any basis of hope for the Democrats
like to pass it.salong
Wilson's prospects are growing
brighter. Let us hope he will whip
the New Jersey machine and that Bry-
an will see the wisdom of his nomina
ton. Let us weep over the folly of
Georgia in throwing away the South's
golden opportunity just a few weeps,
not many, for weeping is bad bust
ness and then let us pray that Kind
Providence will somehow save the
Democrats and even straighten out the
Tom Watson mess.
JOSIAH CARTER.