The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-05-28
Why Did William j. Bryan Refuse to Publish
the Facts About Bible Burning in
the Philippines?

Our great newspapers are making
strenuous endeavors to gather news;
and often, if the news is startling,
they embellish the same under liar
ing headlines. Certainly, this Philli-
pine performance is startling enough.
But I have seen no notice of it ex-
cept in the Herald and one other pa
per. Can it be that our leading pa
pers are SO enamored of purchasable
votes that their tongues are tied, to
the extent Of keeping the public in
the dark, on matters so full of i'll
omen to the foundation principles Of
our governme emit? 1t is not said they
got the Bibles for their bonfire by
violence. The time is not ripe for
that, yet. But it is the spirit betray-
ed by the proceeding, that calls for
structures from lovers of our insti-
tutions. Did the Commoner see an
account of it? Will not our Common
er that has heretofore made a record
as faithful sentinel on the watch
tower Of liberty, sound the alarm,
now?
While on this subject, have you
seen the oath said to be taken by the
knights of Columbus?"
Is it not horrible, if true? Other
rehgiOnists are not making war on
their rights, as long as church con-
fines it's activities to the proper
sphere of church, the State should
not interfere. One may be Protest
ant, Romanist, Jew or Infidel, and
be good citizen. But when any
church transcends the line that sep
arates the ecclesiastical and civil juris-
dictiOns, it's action becomes political,
and being in sharp antagonism to our
institutions, invites and merits pa
triotic protest. And plant officials
who, for office or pelf, "crook the
pregnant hinges of the knee, that
thrift may follow faWning," merit
the rebuke of liberty-loving people.
This a real peril to our institutions.
In President CleveIand's adninistra-
ton, a government vessel was dis
patched to escort an official of that
semi-political church from the Of
fling into the country. 1t was widely
believed President Taft, when Gov
ernor of the PHILIPPINES, toadied to the
same church. But Mother Church"
had enough worldly wisdom to see
the handwriting on the wall, that pro-
claimer Mr.. Taft dead duck" and
no consideration for past servility,
sufficed to insure the solid support
of the semi-opitical church; and Mr..
Taft failed to get a second term. Alas,
the issues are so many, that we are
sometimes driven to take a candidate
who does not suit on some issues be-
cause he suits on others.
There have been ominous rum
blings Of discomfort because of what
seems tendancy, now to truckle to
the insolent demands of that semi
political institution.
But there is some awakening
among those who believe in equal
rights to all and special privileges to
none" Near the close of the Flori-
da Chautauqua session, we had Ma
sonic Day. One of the speakers,
while disclaiming a wish to inflame
religious animosity, inveighed against
the oath said to be taken by the
Knights Of Columbus, and elected
hearty applause. 1t is time there
should be an awakening. Give to all
full freedom in religion, but let no
church dominate the government to
the detriment Of the others. History
speaks on this point with distinct
ly warning voice. Jefferson said
'the price Of liberty is eternal vigil
ance."
r. o. BAKER.
The following is the Commoner's
refusal tn nuh1ich.