The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-01-28

resulting most disastrously. Gordon
was tried for treason and was ac-
quilted on a plea of insanity. Before
his death he became proselyte to
Judaism.
In these two instances we see what
havoc may be wrought by single un-
scrupulous or fanatical leader.
Then in this country comes the
Know-nothing Party in the Fifties,
which was an effort to consolidate the
scattered opposition against the Dem
ocratic Party. They carried several
states but finally disappeared, because
their structure was built on too mar
row foundation.
Finally in the early Nineties ap.
peared the A. P. A., which as l came
in contact with it, appeared to be an
effort to transplant Know nothingism
into the Democratic Party.
| We know that less than 100 years
Iago we had in this country an Anti
Masonic Party, which met with some
success in state politics and became
factor nationally. They charged the
Masons with every crime in the dec
alogue, from murder down. We all
know that the charges were false.
| do not recite these instances to
call forth invidious comparisons; but
in order that l may impress the fact
that it is time to stop and think.
am not Catholic; | have never
heard of Catholic in all my family.
see these questions from the Protes-
tant viewpoints; but nevertheless
must allow the Catholics fair play.
Religious liberation is the first fruits
of Christian charity.
We all know from history and
from observation that despite all pc
culiarities of doctrine there is never
a scarcity of patriotic and loyal Cath
olics when a crisis comes.
| Stonewall Jackson, when he went to
the Mexican War, was utterly indif-
ferent to religion. His association
with certain Catholic priests and a
Catholic archbishop, to whom he ap-
piled for instruction, was one of the
strong influences that contributed to
lead him into his avowal of a faith
so sublime as to make him a model
for the Christian world. He was not
a Catholic but a Presbyterian. Some
good thing can come out of Naza-
reth.
When / remember jefferson Davis
tribute to the Sisters of Charity and
their services in the Great War, I
confess that | am in frame of mind
to forget some things that to others
may appear big and ugly.
The surest way to promote bigotry
| is to set the example; but the way
to defeat bigotry is to practice chari
| ty.
| am urging the anti-Catholics to
practice charity. 1t is a poor rule
that will not work both ways.
This brings us back to your origi-
nal question. Answering, it is my
honest opinion that instead of adop-
ting a drastic resolution at the Com
mittee meeting, we might well have
practiced forbearance. When it
comes to the practice of forbearancc,
somebody must begin. | move that
we all begin now.
To answer more in detail, few
hours before the meeting of the Com
mittee, l was asked by gentleman,
who knew that such resolution would
be introduced, for my opinion of the
resolution. 1t was his opinion that it
would tend to help my candidacy. !
answered plainly that | thought such
action would be inadvisable. My ad-
vice was not further sought nor CIV
en-. Now that the Committee have
acted, l have nothing further to say.
1t is my solemn conviction that the
question behind this immediate con-
troversy cannot be settled by resolu-
tions and counter-resolutions
But the Committee was confronted
with serious situation. They be-
lieved from public utterances that an
effort was being made to induce the
Guardians of Liberty to oppose Wood
row Wilson in the general election
if they could not defeat him in the
primary. 1t was their duty to pro
tect the party from disruption. How
to do it was an open question. There
was room for difference of opinion.