The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1915-12-18
What Is Religious Liberty?

~HE Catholic press is pleading
III for religious liberty in Mex
lS ico-the kind of religious
L06 liberty we have in the
United States. That is, they pre-
tend to be pleading for that kind OF
religious liberty. What they real
" want is 10 be let alone TO do as
they please, when and where they
please. You know religious liberty,
to the Catholic church, means
freedom 10 tell others what 10 do
and when TO do it. They have had
that kind Of religious liberty in
Mexico so long that they would not
undertake TO accept a change
which would put Catholics on an
equal footing with non-Catholics in
religious as well as civil affairs.
In Peru and Panama Catholics
are Just as strenuously opposing
religious liberty and are calling on
their American Fellow Catholics 20
support them in their claims, in
demanding their "rights." Since
the lamented Father Phelan and
other Catholics Of high standing
have repeatedly asserted that Cath
olics are the same everywhere and
at all times, what do they mean by
this apparent playing at cross pur-
poses in North and South Amer
lea? We are willing to concede
that Peru and Panama reflect Ca
tholicism in its pristine purity
illiteracy. superstition and all. In
Mexico Rome has PLAYED the game
too long and too well in her oppres-
sive despotism and her own people
have cried enough" Being at the
edge of American civilization Mex
leans have absorbed a little Of the
essence Of liberty and have begun to
chafe under the Romish yoke. They
have seen and heard of better things
than those given them by their
church, and revolution has fol-
lowed revolution with bloody ra-
pidity until Rome has lost the reins
and is crying to the bystanders for
help.
The doleful demand Of Catholics
for religious liberty in Mexico is a
screaming farce. They do not want
what they ask for but continue TO
ask for it until they can get things
shaped around to a point where re-
sumption Of control can be success
fully negotiated, then up will 60
the bloody cross again and down
will 90 freedom. The Truth Seeker,
November %, 1915, has an edi-
torial pertinent to the matter
which We quote below as evidence
that other editors are wise to Rome
The CathoIie-Ameriean press still de-
mands Of President Wilson that he CON-
pel CarranEa "to grant TO all Catholics
of Mexico fun religious liberty" But
what does "full religious liberty mean
20 a Catholiei The following dispatch
comes from the capital Of a Catholic re
public:
"Lima, Peru, Nov. 5.-As a result
Of the monster petition presented by
the women of Lima asking the presi-
dent 10 veto the constitutional amend
7 ment granting religious liberty, the
president has decided not TO sign t.
but he will not veto Il. The amend
J ment will be returned 20 Congress
and automatically promulgated. The
cabinet voted five to one against
signing it, DR.. Valera, the minister
q of Justice, alone declaring that il
we 'he President 8 duty TO sign the
measure"
And here is an earlier one from another
Catholic republic;
Panama, Sept 26.-The bishop
of Panama has protested against the
holding of the missionary congress
Of Protestants at Panama City, and
President Porras has withdrawn his