The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-10-22
Politics Mixed With Religion

Jacksonville Dixie: George G..
Mathews, editor of the Fl. Lauderdale
Sentinel, spoke at the First Baptist
church in Jacksonville on last Tues
day night under the direct auspices
of the Guardians of Liberty, secret
political society, led nationally by
Nelson A. Miles and other haters of
the South and enemies of the Demo-
cratic party. 1t was not surprising
that Mr.. Mathews should speak under
these auspices, as his attitude is well
known. 1t was surprising, however,
that handsome structure dedicated
to the worship of God should be used
for spreading of the gospel of hate.
In the incipiency of the movement
in this city the public streets were
used by man named Shaffer, whose
vulgarity was so offensive that the
public became aroused. He left the
city suddenly, and after his disap-
pearance it was proved that he was
Just an ordinary crook. Following
Shaffer came ex-Congressman Haynes
and others, sowing seeds of discord
and a few pulpits were given over to
these political workers, most of whom
took occasion to attack the South in
general and the Catholic Church in
particular. Mr.. Mathews is different
type of man from Shaffer and Haynes
Mr.. Mathews is Southern man, but
he believes in Tom Watson-he be-
lieves in the Menace
1t was Mr.. Mathews who presided
at the meeting recently in Fit. Lau-
derdale when a pure, refined Chris
tian girl was prevented from teaching
in the public schools of Broward
county because she was member of
the Catholic Church, although the
taxes of Catholics, like other taxes,
went to the maintenance of the said
schools.
The Baptist church, the latest polit
ical headquarters of this secret po-
litical society, presented a novel scene
last Tuesday night. George Math-
ews, among those who know him best,
has never stamped his identity on the
religious world, but he seemed at
home at the First Baptist church last
Tuesday night as he delivered his
speech on Patriotism" under the
auspices of an organization that does
not profess any religion.
The political gatherings in some
churches is a regular salmagundi of
Church and State-a general mixture
of politics and religion, because what
ever may be said about the "Guard-
ians of Liberty" it is nothing more
than a secret political organization.
The meek and lowly Nazarine
taught brotherly love, and churches
are built to spread His teachings. To
give the use of any church to exhibit
hate towards any class of Christians
is new departure, and is contrary
to every teaching of Christ and con-
trary to the Constitution of the United
States and the Constitution of Flori-
da.
Mr.. Mathews cannot be called an
eloquent speaker. He has not the
delivery of Cats nor the education of
Haynes, but he adopts the same tao
tics in sounding the alarm and cry
ing aloud "The Menace of Rome"
While he was denouncing Catholics,
the Catholics were meeting in anoth-
err hall in celebration of the discovery
of America. The American flag was
profusely displayed and Catholics en-
Enthusiastically sang "The Star-Span-
gled Banner" written by Catholic
At this meeting every feature was
marked by true patriotism and love
for fellow-beings. 1t was in strik-
ing contrast to the Baptist church
meeting.
By actual count there were twenty
nine men and eighteen women present
to hear Mr.. Matthew's. He had beer
advertised in both the daily papers
and by the Guardians" The ex-
ceedingly small audience was no doubt
discouraging to the speaker, and he
TALKED quietly, without gestures and
with no attempt at oratory. So dull
and uninteresting was the meeting
that even some "Guardians' left be-
fore Mr.. Mathews had half completed
his address.
&c