The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-09-26

ichStI2 III oIuef CnaG you may nave the
full benefit of his contention:
CD If the Catholic Hierarchy is engaged in
conspiracy to dehumahize in society, the
TACT ought to be susceptible OF positive proof
Instead of proof Mr.. Watson has given us a lot
of bigoted rot born of prejudice and ignorance.
CD While would not rob any man. race or
creed of their share of glory in carrying forward
the work Of civilization, TRUTH compes me to
say that the Catholic Church was the first Chris
tlon organization to consecrate itself to the mis-
sion Of retaining mankind from savagery. She
planted the first banner of civilization upon the
ramparts of Paganism and single-handed and
alone sustained the. battle for ne arly fifteen
hundred years prior to the birth of Professionalism.
During the first centuries her martyrs persisted
by hundreds of thousands For a long while it
was a serious question whether the Church could
survive Her standard of civilization not SO
high as it is today, but it much higher
and grander than the Pagan standard then pre-
vailing that it the greatest and best of
mankind. The work was rough at times and
many things were done that would not be
approved today, but which, owing to the times
and lack of light, seemed good and proper.
Fresh from the ranks of Paganism some of the
early converts to Christianity retained many of
their cruel and savage traits of character.
Before one can understand the true value of
CathoIcism's contribution to civilization, it is
necessary to know the conditions which prevailed
throughout the world in the early stages of her
struggle. The question must be examined
whole
(1.) AS to Watson's 'bigoted rot, born of
prejudice and ignorance:
Was William Ewart Gladstone a preiu-
diced ignorant man, full of bigoted rot?
Gladstone was the foremost statesman Of
Great Britain, and he sounded the same
warning against Rome that / have been re-
echoing for % years.
Were Bismarck and Gambetta ignorant,
prejudiced and full of bigoted rot?
Those statesmen hated the Romanist
machine as cordially as [ do
Is Doctor Josiah Strong ignorant, preju-
diced and full of bigoted rot?
The Doctor, in his book "Our Country"
writes as strongly against the Roman peril
as | have done.
ignorance and rot?
The Doctor thinks very highly of my work
against the Roman Hierarchy, and has
rendered me the use of his pulpit.
In fact, some Of the most scholarly men in
the Union are following me in this fight and
they inspire me with the most encouraging
letters.
The Fathers who founded our Govern
ment planted in our soil the very principles
which Rome has always condemned.
Freedom of conscience, of speech and press,
the complete separation of Church and State,
nOn-sectarlan education, government by the
people-these are precious liberties which cost
so much blood, and every one of them had to
be wrenched from Rome by men who were
ready to die rather than longer endure her
detestable tyranny.
Can Mr.. Windle deny that Rome is now,
and ever will be antagonistic to those princi-
pies?
Does he think it would tend to "dehumall-
ize man in society" to have Rome exercise the
same blighting intolerance that she moao does