davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
WHO FINANCED COLUMB JUS?
ISABELLA DID NOT PLEDGE HER
JEWELS-THE SANTA HERMAN
ADAD LOANED THE MONEY.

Charles H. Mccarthy, Phi. D., Pro-
fessor of American history in the Cath
Ollie university, has written little vol
ume, Columbus and His Predeces-
sors: study in the Beginnings of
American History" in which he gives
the quietus to the idea that it was the
Jews who furnished the funds to Col
covery of the New World. 1t was, as
he says, neither jewels nor Jews
that helped to finance the expedition.
We quote from review of the book
in the Catholic World for February:
1--WE have often come across the
assertion that: 1T was not jewels
but Jews" that furnished the funds
for the equipment of Columbus. This
witticism suggests two errors, which
Professor Mccarthy successfully COM
bats. In the first place, Isabella did
not pledge her jewels to provide for
the expedition of Columbus, though
in Spain there is a legend that, as
early as 1849, they were pledged
to certain money lenders for the
prosecution of the war against the
Moors. It lis clear from the account
books of the Santa Hermanadad that
Luis de Santahgel, it's treasurer,
loaned for the equipment of Columbus
one million, one hundred and forty
thousand marvedes, which were re-
paid with interest during the years
1892 and 1893.
THE historian Fiske in his Dis
covery of America seems to be ignor-
ant of this fact. Columbus himself
contributed one-eighth of the expense
OF the expedition, on the express con-
dition that he was to receive one
eighth of the profits"
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
.B|GOTRY AND THE
LITERACY TEST
REVIVAL OF ANTI-CATHOLIC PRE-
JUDGE OF KNoW-NoTHING AND
A. p. A. DAYS SHOWN IN Eff
FORTS MADE TO EXCLUDE THE
SO-CALLED ILLITERATE CATH
OLICS OF SOUTHERN EUROPE.

The immigration bill, which is in
tended to shut out the entrance of
foreigners or restrict their entrance,
and which has just been passed by
the House of Representatives, is now
being pushed with vigor by the Junior
Order of United American Mechanics,
the Guardians of Liberty, the Patriotic
Sons of America and other A. P. A.
societies, the members have been
busy telegraphing and sending petit
tions to their congressman and sena-
tors to vote for the bill, their sole
purpose, which they are trying to
cover, being an attack on the Catho-
lie Church, becoming frightened at
it's tremendous growth.
1t seems strange that in country
as sparsely settled as the United
States there should be any fear of
over-crowding, of over-population
Yet such fear has been expressed at
each restrictive movement that has
passed over the country. If the pres
ent population of 90,000,OO0 were
dumped into the state of Texas, that
state would not be as densely popu-
lated as Germany.
There have been, including the
present one, three of these restrictive
waves in the history of the country.
The first one occurred at the time
of the Know-Nothings, whose cry was
America for Americans" The United
States had at that time three persons
to the square mile. The Know-Noth-
ing movement was not alone an anti
immigration movement, but it was al
so bitterly anti-Catholic. At that
time the agitation was against the
Germans and Irish, who were con-
temptuously called the Dutch" and
the "Micks." Now they have become
Our German Fellow Citizens" or
Our Irish Fellow Citizens" simply
because they have votes enough to
resent most effectively any attacks
upon them. 1t is needless to add
that the spirit that prompted the
hostility against the Dutch and the
Irish is the same spirit that now mani
tests itself against the Italians and
other immigrants from Southern
Europe, and it is not much of ven
ture to predict that in few years
the despised "Dagoes' will also be-
come Our Italian Fellow Citizens !"
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
E I N
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
James j. CresWeIl)

Ciceros definition of history may
be given for a description of Erin.
"Historia (Hibernia) est tests tenn,
porum, lux veritatis, vitae memoria,
magistra vitae, nuntia vetustatis."
All hail to our island, bright beam OF
the morning,
Undimmed be her glory, unclouded
each ray,
While the love that is in us, our
faiths pure adjoining,
The waves of old ocean bear home,
ward today
Thus ever to thee,
Loved isle of the sea,
AS steel to the magnet, as light to the
pole,
Hope greeting the while,
The tear and the smile
Go back to thee ever, what land we
may roam,
And the love that we cherish may
Erin's green isle
Soon strike the bold anthem of Home
sweet home.
The Boyne and the Shannon unite
with Blackwater,
The Lee and the Liffy now mingle
their spray,
And Erin, united may each son and
daughter
Crown thee with honor thy natal day
While foes may revile
Our sea-beaten isle,
The faith of our fathers, the land Of
the Gael,
Erin's bright green
Today may be seen
The witness of ages, and destined
to be
The teacher of nations, crowned vir
tues bright queen,
First flower of the earth and first gem
of the sea.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
MARTYRS OF NIPPON
CHINESE CHRISTIANS coMMEMo.
RATE DEATH OF FIRST CON-
VERTs TO CHRISTIANITY.

February fifth is the hottest day of
the year for the $4,000 Roman Catho-
lie adherents in Japan, for it is the
festival of the martyrs of Nippon, and
commentaries the bravery and zeal
of the first Christian converts in that
country. Although the religion of Je-
sus was introduced into Japan by st.
Francis Xavier in the sixteenth CEN
fury, it has made little progress, and
today, out of a population of seventy
millions, there are only about $4,000
Christians, of whom $4,000 are Catho-
lies and 10000 Protestants. Vast
sums have been and still are expended
on missionary Christianity in Japan.
A number of jesuit missionaries have
made some progress. The vast ma
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
DEGENERATION OF OUR
POPULAR SONGS

Someone has said but it was many
years ago, Let me write the songs of
the nation and I care not who makes
it's laws" If the person who invented
that expression were alive today,
writes H. D. Kerr in "The Metronome,"
a journal devoted to the interests of
music and musicians, and sat for three
hours in one of our up-to-date vaude-
vile theatres and heard nothing but
the ragtime songs that our perverted
taste approves, he would probably
quote another saying equally as ap-
plicable, "Give me liberty or give me
death"
In the o1den days, Yankee Doodle y
''Swanee River" "My Old Kentucky
Home" and many other popular
songs of that time actually exerted a
striking influence over the whole ma
ton. Imagine the heartfelt sentiment,
the inspiration aroused by the strains
of Marching Through Georgia" when
Sherman and his men were marching
to the sea; and to this very day, when
the band strikes up Dixie" there is
the never-failing hearty applause
which its stirring strains arouse.
| 1t cannot be successfully argued
that our songs have not gone back,
or rather gone down, deteriorated, de.
generated in every sense of the word
and it behooves us to concern our.
selves seriously with the question
whether or not in going down, our
songs have not dragged down with
them the morals of great many OF
our young women and men who hear
them and sing them.
Is it not pitiful to look upon a little
girl, perhaps seven or eight years old
swapping her fingers, swaying from
side to side, and Justify singing as ii
her very heart were in every note
''Ev'rybody's dom it, dom it." She
hears her big sister sing it; her big
sister hears it at SHOW" and her
beau buys it for her. Glance at the
sheet music displayed on the piano in
the front parlor" of nearly every
home in the country. Do you see any
songs like "Annie Laurie" Ben Bolt, y
or "The Last Rose of Summer? No
you see "The Devils Ball." "The
Dippy Rag" "The Balloon Baby
Dance" and "The Tango Twist" each
one with title page picturing con
tortionist dancers partly clothed and
the printed words, "The reigning sue.
cess of the day." And the worst OF
it all is that these songs appeal not
only to the low and vicious-minded
but the great majority of our church.
going, pious-minded people pay out
their money to attend theatres in or.
der to hear and applaud them.
1t cannot be denied that these
songs are having their effect, and the
tclean-mi minority seem to take
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14

In looking over the Congressional
Record of those days it will be found
that the same arguments were en-
ployed in behalf of keeping the Dutch
and the Irish out of the country as
are now used against the Italians
and others.
The next restrictive movement took
place at the time of the A. P. AS
which was also an anti-CathoIic move
ment. In fact, these agitations for re-
striction of immigration were always
cOntemporaneous with the anti-Catho-
lie waves that have swept over the
country at different times This
movement was chiefly concentrated
against the Irish, The Germans had
already taught the American poll
ticians the wholesome lesson that it
does not pay politically to fool with
the Dutch. While a cowardly Con-
gress cringingly passed an immigra-
ton bill to suit the A. P AS, there
was one strong man they had to
| reckon with-President Cleveland
who promptly vetoed the iniquitous
measure. In fact during all these
troublous times there were always
found in American men of strong and
broad convictions to withstand the
tide of fanaticism and hysteria At
the time of the A. p AS the United
States had eleven persons to the
square mile, with plenty of elbow
room for more. At the same period
Germany had 80 persons to the
square mile.
We now come to the present effort
to restrict immigration 1t is entirely
at par with the past efforts and is
again accompanied by an Anti-Catho-
lie wave. The Junior Order of Ameri-
can Mechanics, the Guardians of Lib
erty, the Patriotic Sons of America
and similar political black hand So
cieties, all bitterly ti-Catholic, have
been moving heaven and earth to have
the literacy test passed by Congress.
The immigration commission at first
worked on the broad basis of exclud-
ing from this country-and very prop
erly so-all immigrants who are mem
tally, morally and physically deficient
and unsound This covered a large
ground, but it did not satisfy the IA
natics. The literacy test was prompt
ly suggested and introduced. It first
required knowledge of reading and
writing, but the Senate had the grace
to mitigate the assinity of the pro-
vision by cutting out the writing re-
quirement, and thus deliberately
weakening it's own pet clause.
President Taft rose to the occasion
and promptly vetoed the bill because
the reasons given for the introduction
of the literacy clause were evidently
insincere 1t is we'll known that the
Junior Order of American Mechanics
has been most industriously at work
in behalf of the literacy test This or
ganization is admittedly anti-Catholic,
and by throwing cloak over their
real sentiments and reasons they are
able to induce labor organizations to
pass resolutions which, on little re-
Election, they would reject as ridicu-
lous.
All broad-minded and patriotic citi-
zens agree with Presidents Cleveland
and Taft that the reasons given for
the insertion of the literacy test are
insincere, and the prime motive be-
hind the effort is religious bigotry
pure and simple.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
LORD STRATHCONA
THE FRIEND OF FATHER LA
COMBE, THE "BLAck-ROBED
VoYAGEUR" OF WESTERN CAM
ADA-AN INCIDENT IN THEIR
CAREERS.

Foremost among the associates of
the late Lord Strathcona, of Canada,
who died recently in London, where
he was Lord High Commissioner for
the Dominion, was the "Black-Robed
Voyageur," Reverend Albert Lacombe,
O.. NJ l., of Midnapore, Alberta, and
the news of the death of Canada's
great Empire builder was a great
shock to his old-time friend. Ever
since 1881 the grand old patriarch of
| the plains had been the friend and ad-
wiser of the dead statesman.
1t is related that one day while
driving down the winter trail to ST.
Paul, the venerable priest met Don.
aid Smith. He also was in his prime
man of greater ability and had more
stupendous plans than the Red River
yet realized. The priest, who had al
ways a keen scent for the noted dis.
tinction in a mans character, soon
felt himself drawn to a friendship
with Smith which was to be per.
manent
Mr.. Smith was delicately thought.
full for the missionary during their
pleasant in voice and manner, where
fore Father Lacombe adds: But, ah
he was determined behind that pleas
antness, for the company he was the
ideal man, smooth but so firm! He
fulfilled always their motto: Pro
pelle cutem.' Also he was the most
lucky man l ever knew, and one OF
the most agreeable to approach"
1t was not until the year 1909 that
Lord Strathcona and Father La
combe again met. While the aged
priest was making one of his final
tours of Alberta, Canadas High Com
missioner was at Edmonton. Father
Lacombe went to the capital city to
visit him and the two old friends met
on the lawn at government house
where smartly frocked westerners
were assembling for the reception Of
the High Commissioner.
The Great Empire Builder went for
ward to meet the little man in the
black cossack-also an empire builder
in his way.
"Ha! My old friend!" said Father
Lacombe with caressing notes, II an
glad to see you
Deep pleasure lit up the face O.
each, as though consciousness of kin
ship-in which none or the newcom
ers shared-had suddenly TRANSMITTED
their mutual esteem and liking into {
glowing affection. Strathcona's arm
was injured and in sling as the re
a few days before. The two pioneer!
withdrew to a bench beneath thu
trees, oblivious of the assembling
guests and, hand in hand the two ole
men studied one another for the mark:
of years and rallied each other OF
their youthfulness. Both laughed a.
Strathconas assurance that they
grey-haired veterans, were still boys
During the conversation Father La
combe casually spoke of the need h
felt for funds with which to establish
shelters for his poor. His light!
worded plea for aid was scarcely ut
tered before the assurance came, ant
with this little matter passed, the TIVE
picked up the threads of old memor!
until the hour for the reception.
They took leave of each other
Shortly after Father Lacombe received
from Strathcona a cheque for $4,000
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14
ARMY CHAPLAIN APPOINTED
FATHER ROCKFORD RECEIVES
HIS MMISSION-WILL SOON
REPORT FOR DUTY.

The Rev. j. E. Rockford, of O1cott,
n. Y, who recently passed the ex-
animation for admittance to the chap
lain corps of the United States Army,
has been commissioned by President
Wilson He is allowed one months
leave of absence, after which he will
report at Fort Washington, Md, where
he win receive instructions under
Chaplain Arnold
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14

1. Does the Lutheran Catechism
really teach that the Lutherans receive
the real body and blood of Christ in
their Communion? 2. Does the Prot
estant Bible contain the books of the
First and Second Machabees and the
other books contained in the Catholic
BIbIe2
1. There are so many shades of
belief found among the Lutherans
that it is difficult to state just what
any individual or group of individuals
believes. The Orthodox Lutherans,
who hold fast to the Augsburg Con-
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
&c. SCOTT LECTURES
japanese Bombardment of German
Fort Destroys His Home.

Rev. c. +. Ccott, who graduated
with the class of 1898 at the college,
gave a talk in the prayer meeting at
the college chapel last evening be-
fore an auditorium full of students
and townspeople. He has been since
his education was completed mis-
sionary in Khan Chau, China, where
he has been doing a great work
among the Chinese. At the outbreak
of the war he was forced to leave.
This city was held by the Germans,
and was Immediately attacked by the
japanese forces. During the siege
which followed and which ultimately
resulted in the capture of the city by
the yellow soldiers and sailors all of
the household goods belonging to Rev.
Scott were destroyed.
Mr.. Scott has been travelling
throughout the United States in the
interests of foreign missions. He is
to be the commencement orator at the
college next June if his services can
be secured.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
RESTORED TO HEALTH BY RED
CROSS SEALS.

Deserted by her husband, suffering
from tuberculosis in a double form,
and supporting herself and young boy
by her needle, the Anti-tuberculosis
Association in a Western city found
the unfortunate consumptive, living
in one room, with two little beds-one
for herself and one for her boy. Ev-
erything was clean, but, oh, so poor.
That was a year ago.
This morning she took train for
New Mexico, where she goes TO live
with her sister. happy at the thought
of joining her friends and so improv-
cd in health that there is no appar-
ent reason why she may not enjoy
years of life. For the past year she
has been under the care Of the asso-
citation. She was sent to a sanator-
ium until she was strong enough to
undergo a major operation, when she
was sent to local hospital and given
expert surgical services.
This morning, with luncheon bas-
ket of delicacies packed by friends in
the association and with transporta-
tion provided by the cooperation of
the ssociated Charities and the rail-
road, she started on her journey COM
paratively a well woman. She said
she was free from pain for the first
time in ten years.
That's what Red Cross Seals did.
Buy yours today.
The Alma Boy Scouts and Camp
Fire Girls are doing their best to aid
this splendid cause and they certainly
are deserving of the support of every
one in Alma. The White Plague is
Michigan's biggest problem now and
in helping Alma's young men and wo-
men by buying Red Cross Seals you
are helping to stamp out this dis
ease.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
ALPHA THETA PLAY.

Friday evening, December the 18th
the girls of the Alpha Theta literary
society Of the college will present the
operetta "The Feast of the Little
Lanterns" in the chapel Of the college
Principal parts in The this musical
affair will be taken by Miss Lorna
Woodruff, who will represent the prin-
cess, Miss Pauline Markham will APP
pear as a iuggler, Miss Louise Thayer
as a maid, Miss Jennie Waterman as
the goyerness, while Miss Eva Barnes
will be at the piano and Rudolph
Beyers will play the traps.
The operetta promises to be one of
the musical treats Of the year, and
with the talent which is to take the
leading parts an evening of unusually
fine entertainment is 80 promised.
Twenty-Five cents will be the charge
for admission with no reserved seats.
A chorus of twenty voices will be
one Of the fine features of the lay.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
RENTED FACTORY

The Republic Motor Truck Company
has rented the building formerly oc-
cupied by the Miller Saw Trimmer
Company on East Superior street, 20
rods east of Euclid avenue, and will
use it as a paint and decorating shop
for their trucks. Work on fixing up
the rooms of the building and trans
ferring a supply of the trucks and ma
terials for work was begun last Fri
day.
The quarters in the building on
Michigan avenue became so cramped
that more floor space was necessary
and Manager f. w. Ruggles complet-
ed the deal whereby the Miller build
ing was secured. 1t was built in the
summer of 1910 by Mr.. Henry Soule
and upon completion was Immediately
occupied by the Miller Saw Trimmer
Company who held possession until
June, 1912 when they summarily re-
moved their stock and machinery to
their new quarters in Pittsburg. Since
that time it has not been used, but
has been held for rental purposes by
the Miller Company.
The demand on the part of the Re-
public people for more floor space is
good indication of the rapid and sub
stantial growth of the company.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
WHY NOT SAVE A COLLEGE BOY
AS WELL AS 4 RFLGIAN?

War victims seem just now to have
the right of way. They should be
cared for. But should not boys right
in Alma be cared for too? Should
not the boy who is eager to work be
given an opportunity?
Several college students must find
work or quit college. They are will
ing to do anything. They will split
wood, fire furnace, clean or polish
floors, dust rugs, sweep, wash dishes,
deliver packages, clean cellars, keep
walks clean. They will do anything.
Haven't you something that will save
a college student to his classes? What
the world most needs is educated
Christian leaders. Why not have
some part in getting one of them
ready for leadership. Telephone the
College if you can use boy for only
an hour. Telephone if you can use
one regularly for an hour day.
Send us your help.
THOS. c. BLAISDELL.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
GETTING IN LINE
Other Cities Will Have Municipal
Xmas Trees This Year.

Enthusiasm for Municipal Christ
mas Tree is contagious. Other cities
in Central Michigan have caught the
spirit of good fellowship and COM
munity interest, and have thrown
their lots with the movement TO make
Christmas Eve time, or an event,
which will linger long in the hearts Of
the youngsters of the city, most of
whom, unfortunately, will meet with
Corunna News says:
"A municipal Christmas tree pret-
tily decorated and illuminated with in
candescent lights and with appro-
pirate exercises in connection is the
expectation of the special committee
which is working toward this end for
Christmas eve. The tree will be
placed on the court house square"
Mt Pleasant is just on the verge of
making the Christmas joy a common
one, though no definite action has
been taken. We presume, and sim
cerely hope that our sister city will
take the step which Alma is to take.
The Mt. Pleasant Courier says:
"Why doesn't Mt. Pleasant have a
municipal Christmas tree? A tree
upon which may be hung presents for
the poor children of the city whom
Santa Claus may in his haste over
look?
Some of the societies of the city,
either church or social clubs, ought to
start such a movement, gather con-
tributions, buy presents, get list of
those who might be overlooked and
have them come on Christmas Eve and
have some good time.
The Courier respectfully refers this
matter hoping someone will take the
initiative.
Nearly all of US can give little and
a little would make so much happi-
ness to some little waif, some little
boy or girl who can only gaze into the
shop windows with longing eyes.
Take a rest on the heathen propo-
sition in "far off lands" for couple of
weeks and let's make the kids at home
happy. Buy 'em some shoes dresses.
clothes, and throw in some candy,
some dolls, some drums, some picture
books, and lot of things that will
send 'em to bed with smiles instead of
tears.
Somebody get busy, come around to
this Office and We'll start the contri-
button"
When the women of Alma started
the agitation for a municipal tree they
gave impetus to one of the most COM
mendable enterprises ever started.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
RED CROSS BENEFIT.

The work of the Red Cross commit
tee is progressing finely. The ward
chairmen and their assistants have
encountered enthusiastic support from
nearly every one whom they have APP
preached.
Between ninety and one hundred
dollars have been secured by contri-
button, and as a result of the show
last Friday, the receipts of which the
committee shared in, Mr.. Weis turned
over to the ladies over eighteen dol
lars.
Already eighty dollars have been
expended for yarn, which has all been
distributed throughout the city. In
nearly every family some member is
knitting for the relief work.
Some money remains yet to be turn
ed in, for some who wish to contribute
to the Red Cross cause have not yet
given their gifts to the members of
the committee to whom they made
their pledges. However, it is expect
ed that all the contributions will be in
the hands of the committee before
Christmas.