South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-06
PREs'T WILSON on RELIGIOUS
INTOLERANCE.

Manhattan club, New York, should be
an inspiration to every true Ameri-
can. 1t is opportune. It comes from
a great man in the midst Of a great
cause. His stand for true American
ism. not only 10 the exclusion OF
racial prejudices and international hy-
phenations, but 10 the exclusion OF
religious intolerance among ourselves,
makes him 10 tower like Saul above
his brethren. And naturally the sug-
gestion, from republican sources, that
having thus established himself In the
hearts and minds Of true Americans,
ne should retire from his office, re-
fusing to be a candidate again, in
accord with the Bryan platform at
Baltimore. and thus take no chances
on his star" being dimmed.
Splendid suggestion. If Pres't VIII
son would but eliminate himself from
the campaign in 1915, the apparent
presumption is that the republicans
would have easy sailing, and hence no
wonder that they are so solicitous or
his future fame, and anxious for his
retirement And how the G.. o. Z.
spell-binders would roar up and down
the country. as the campaign would
progress, singing praises to the presi-
dents superiority over whomsoeyer
the democrats might nominate; either
that. or condemning him, as they
have condemned Mr.. Bryan, for al
legged desertion OF the ship of state,
'fn such hour of great peril" We
have no license even to surmise what
the president intends to do with ref
erence to a campaign for reelection,
but we are virtually certain that he
will never consent TO be tempted out
OF 1t. after the fashion Of Satan tempt
ing Christ on that historic mount,
through the republican party showing
him a road TO lasting fame by his
leaving the field TO that party's sue
censorship.
We have frequently discussed the
presidents views Of the hyphenated
Americans. in this column What he
said at the Manhattan club dinner
was not new, but a reiteration. What
ne did say, however, about growing
religious intolerance in this country.
was comparatively new in the sense
of public utterance. from such high
sources, and a rebuke that needs TO
be taken seriously. Protestant and
Catholics alike, to explain what the
president was driving at, must either
put their Americanism above their
particular brand OF religious associa-
ton, if they would escape the presi-
dents criticism. Americanism does
not give a rap what a mans religion
is as long as he is a loyal American
citizen-for America first"
Pres't Wilson knows what this re-
Iigious intolerance means. Catholics
have been berating him-even as in
the case of Father Conway in his
local addresses at the high school,
because he had not long ago sent the
flag after the cross into Mexico to
rescue Catholic properties and peo-
pie there. and finally for recognizing
Carranza, who seems not to be of the
Catholic school. He has been be-
seiged by letters and kilograms for
months. on the first of these scores,
in particular. Nothing. perhaps, has
served very much more TO make his
life unpleasant
And on the other hand bigoted
Protestants have been scarcely less
sensible, their pet complaint being
that Joseph Patrick Tumulty, secre-
tary TO the president, is a Catholic.
And It may be that the president has
appointed other Catholics to import
ant posts OF duty. which, perhaps
some Of these Protestants would have
liked to have filled. or had filled by
their friends. Frankly we believe
that a considerable proportion of this
has been demagogic rather than sim
cere, and therefore, all the more Gull
pable. We have heard too, that the
Catholic priesthood tells Catholic vot-
ers just how TO vote, but even II they
DO, they have 10 exhibit some gall 10
go much farther at il than does some
OF our Protestant clergymen-and you
needn't go very far from South Bend
TO find CALLING examples.
Pres't Wilson. indeed. shows great
American spirit when he dares 10 lift
his voice above this din Of opposing
condemnations. and rebuke the in
tolerance that promotes them. Espe-
ciauy is this true if he is TO be a can
didate for reelection. for it would
seem almost certain to offend both
offending forces, and he must regard
America high above office or ne would
not take the chance II sounds like
a John the Baptist crying in the
wilderness" but the great mass Of
American people have heard, and may
we not hope that a considerable por-
ton OF this great mass OF American
people will heed?