The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-02-27
A CATHOLIC POLITICAL
PARTY?

Under the heading OF "The
American Kulturkampf, " the So
cial Service Commission of the
American Federation Of Catholic
Societies sent out a press letter
recently in which the need Of a
Center Party in the United States
was discussed. The writer. Father
DietZ, went ON to say that there
was little foundation for what he
calls ''the jingoistic optimism "
which prevails among certain
Catholics who fail to take into
serious consideration the sinister
influence affecting the political
standing of Catholics in Amer
lea, He maintains that the Men
ace is typical of anti-Catholic
hostility which secretly. more
frequently than openly, strikes at
the religious liberty and civic
rights to which Catholics, in con-
junction with their fellow citizens,
are entitled under the constitu-
ton. He then enumerates some of
these anti-Catholic Influences and
asks: Is the time at hand for
an American Center Party ?"
At first sight it would seem that
he is suggesting, at least, the for
nation of a Catholic political
party in the United States; but
in a subsequent communication
he explains that the new party is
to be formed on the lines Of the
famous Center Party Of Germany
which is mot a Catholic party
but a constitutional party that
has vigorously championed Catho-
lie rights and the Christian order
of society," Nobody, he AYERS,
would be more opposed to a Cath
Ollie political party than the Fed
Grafton itself.
This is all very we'll as far as it
goes; but since the purpose of this
new political organization. is to
tolerate no law contrary to di-
vine law, provide cooperation but
not union Of Church and state,
defend the necessity Of religion
for the well-being of the. state as
a public policy, champion a pro-
gressive conservatism and open
up to the American common
wealth the fountains of true
Catholic humanity" how can the
very element in our population,
whose anti-Catholic opposition
suggests the organization of such
a party, be persuaded that it is
not strictly Catholic party? If
these bigots will not see that there
is now no reason for their hatred
of the Church, is it likely that
they will accept our estimate OF
the purpose and complexion of
this new party, which, whatever
we may say, will, of necessity,
bear the earmarks of a Catholic
party and be composed largely of
Catholic voters? Herein lies the
crux Of the whole matter. For,
despite our protestations, this
proposed American Center Party
will be regarded as a distinctively
Catholic organization and will
serve only to aggravate the oppo-
sition which it is intended to COM
bat.
1t would be foolish to maintain
that there is not a well-organized
anti Catholic propaganda in exis-
tence at the present time; but this
fact does not initiate against
that spirit of optimism which so
many Catholics feel in regard to
the future. This optimism is not
jingoistic, " but genuine and. on
the whole, well-founded. The
wave of anti Catholic bigotry now
flooding the country is no argu-
ment against it. For this agita-
ton is confined largely to the low
bred and ignorant and finds little,
if any, favor and support among
the better and more intelligent
lclass of American citizens. Here
land there, one finds in the ranks