The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1916-05-06


sumptuously asserts, there was a
legal way to settle the question by
injunction proceedings which would
have brought the case before the
courts for review, but this legal and
constitutional method, il would ap-
pear, does not appeal to this Ro-
man Catholic official and lawyer, a.
so feasible a method Of deciding the
question, as by resorting TO lynch
lao or mObocracy.
Again If, as Mr.. Cunningham
would have US believe. DIR. Leyden
was going TO lay himself liable for
prosecution for SANDER, yiliiication
or libel, all that he aud his fellow
subjects of the pope had to do was
to proceed against him for thus yiO-
lating the Law.
Surely he does not believe that
it would be impossible to get justice
for Catholics in Massachusetts,
courts, when he calls TO mind the
fact that a governor elected as
chief executive, since the Roman
Catholic political machine became
mighty power in Massachusetts,,
appointed eieUeR Roman Catholic
Judges from a list Of thirteen dp-
poiRtmoHiS. while few states in the
union have been more generous in
electing district attorneys and other
prominent officials from among
the Knights of Columbus and other
oath bound Roman Catholic So
cieties. Hence, if there was any
expectation that Mr.. Leyden would
make false statements, slanderous
and libelous utterances, Mr.. Cum
ningham aud his friends had the
same orderly, legal. constitutional
methods of redress that any other
American citizens have. How
amazing, therefore, in the presence
of these indisputable facts is the
spectacle of prominent Roman
Catholic lawyer, and one Of the
leading official representatives OF
the archdiocese of the cardinal, up
holding a mob that trampled upon
the federal constitutions guarantees,
defed the state laws, destroyed pub
lie and private property and as
saulted the person Of peaceable citi-
zens.
How long could our free democ-
racy live il men holding the
opinions of this prominent Roman
Catholic official should, in large
numbers, be elevated to positions
on the bench in executive stations
and elsewhere in government.
The papal system is frankly in
tolerant Of freedom Of religious dis
cuSsion. The democratic system
welcomes fIee discussion and search.
ing and severe criticism, provided
those criticized are left absolutely
free TO refute the charges Of the op-
position, and with all parties alik,
speaking at their peril if they vio-
late the laws relating to libel, scan.
dal and false witness.
Mr.. Cunningham, like the rioter.
at Haverhill, not only places hi,
allegiance TO the papal theory above
loyalty to the free democracy oi
Jefferson, Lincoln and Wendell
Phillips, but he actually uphold,
mob rule instead of counseling ODE
dience to law and strict loyalty tC
the constitution.
After referring to the recent resO.
lutions of the Baptist clergy oi
greater Boston, Mr.. Cunningham
in his letter to the cardinal SAYS:
"one Leyden, who has been notorioui
in these parts for 20 years as a religioui
agitator and asSailer and viliier Of Cath
olic faith and practice, recently sought
to obtain a permit TO make a public at
tack on Catholics and their faith in th,
city hall in Haverhill. The mayor yer,
properly refused 20 issue this permit. II,
then applied 90 the board Of aldermen
who by divided vote improperly issued 1
permit.
"I use the term improperly ad
visedly, because the city hall is a publ,
building, supported and maintained b!
the citizens Of the city for public uses
Any other use is improper, especiall,
when its use is given 70 SANDER. vilif,
and attack the religion and sacred right
Of an appreciable number Of the citizen
and inhabitants of the city, and more >,
and greater in degree, when that numbe
Of citizens, as in the case Of Haverhill
is equal and probably exceeds those oi
any other faith OF religion.
"This abuse Of power by the alder
men, believe, was justly obroedted b,
the citizens and people Of Haverhill. b.
showing and making known publicly tha
the attempted use under a permit i'm
properly issued could not be made o.
their city hall
Here it will be noted that Mr.
4 Cunningham charges DR.. Leydel