The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-02-27

OF the agitators an individual who
rises above the average level OF
intelligence that prevails among
them; but he cannot be classed
among the representative citizens
OF this country. He is dema.
gogue who is engaged in the un.
American task of coming the re-
ligious prejudices which he
arouses and fosters into gold to
be used for some selfish end OF
unworthy purpose. With the eX-
ception OF a few leaders of this
character, the rank and file of the
bigots are ignorant, mind
ed, half-educated, and must not be
classed as representative Of true
American citizenship. The real
American citizen who is conscious
Of his dignity and as jealous Of
the rights and privileges of others
as he is Of his own-because all
are guaranteed alike by the con-
stitution-despises these bigots
and is everywhere giving tangible
evidence Of the justice, and even
generosity, with which he safe
guards the welfare Of his Catholic
fellow citizen. 1t is wrong to re-
gard the sectarian bigot, no mat
ter how loud his protestations Of
patriotism may be, as a represent
ative American citizen in the full
est and best sense Of the word.
But what are we Catholics to do
in this campaign Of bigotry which
is being waged against us? Form
Catholic political party? To at
tempt to do SO would be fatal to
our best interests, for it would
arouse opposition and antagoniZe
our friends. In the political life
OF America there is no room for
special parties. Whatever is done
must be based on an appeal to the
rights and privileges which the
constitution guarantees to every
citizen, irrespective Of religious
utilization. Where these rights
are infringed upon, Catholics
should use whatever political
power they may possess in de-
fence Of them. Catholics belong
to different political parties and
should any Of these parties set it.
self i'll opposition to the civil and
religious well-being OF any class
| of citizens, should it commit
itself formally to what is uncon-
stitutional and subversive Of the
fundamental principles upon
which the Republic is founded, it
should be promptly rcpudiatcd by
Catholics.
In American history there have
been many periods when sectarian
agitation and religious persecu,
ton, like that through which we
are now passing, pressed heavily
upon Catholics; but this propa.
ganda could always be traced to
the activity Of a class Of citizens
who, no matter under what high
sounding or patriotic title they
masqueraded, were ia, reality I'm.
American in thought and alien to
the spirit Of the country. This
opposition will always be confined
to the few. The American people
as a whole have taken and will
take no part in it. The literature
which is being circulated under
such auspices has little influence
OH the high intellectual life OF
America. Whatever effect it has
is exerted over the ignorant, the
misguided, and the vicious, many
of whom seek to turn away atten-
ton from their own shortcomings
by Stimulating Il zeal for religious
liberty and equal rights to all I'M
der the flag. In the end, the spirit
of justice and fair-play which
characteriZes the more intelligent
people Of America will prevail and
this sectarian spasm will pass
away like its predecessors and
leave Catholics stronger and bet
ter because Of the baptism of fire
through which they have passed.