The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-08-26

SIcSS ItCSublS Il resolution duluOI
izing JOINT committee to investi-
gate certain representations rela-
tive to Roman Catholic organiza-
tions. These representations are
first, the Pope of Rome is a foreign
sovereign claiming allegiance in
temporal, as well as in spiritual
matters throughout the world; sec
ond, the Papal system of which
the Pope is head is opposed to and
seeks to destroy our free institu-
tions, to-wit: (a) Our public
schools; CD Free press; Co The
right of free speech and public as
sembly; Cd The right of freedom
of thought in matters of con-
science; (e) The principle of sepa-
ration Of Church and State.
This is the gist of the resolution
which is quite lengthy, of very in
different literary merit and valu-
able only as a resume of the alb
surd charges which have been
made time and again against the
Hierarchy Of this country without
the production of a scintilla of
evidence in support of their truth.
We are surprised that any Con-
gresham, worthy Of the name,
would be found willing to father
a resolution Of this kind. 1t only
goes to show that there is dor
mant antipathy to things Catholic
in many men who have succeeded
in reaching positions Of public
trust which presuppose at least
sufficient intellectual acumen to
separate fact from fiction.
The intelligent people of this
country would be glad to see this
resolution acted upon if any assur-
ance could be had that the people
who are back Of it would be salts
fed with the results. But the
complete vindication Of the Cath
Ollie Hierarchy which would fol
low an unbiased investigation of
their so-called political activity in
this country is not what the bigots
desire, nor would they be at all
pleased with, the result, for it
would remove at one fell sWoop
the foundation upon which their
un-American organizations are
builded and rob them Of the sup
port which they receive from the
dupes who swallow every state
ment derogatory to the Catholic
Church no matter how absurd it
may be.
How would Lihdbergh and his
Free Speech Leaguers like to have
the tables turned on them? Could
they and their principles stand
the light of a thorough and impair
tial investigation? Would the diff
ferent organizations like the A. P.
A., the Guardians of Liberty, the
Knights Of Luther, the Stonemen,
and other dark-lantern brigades,
produce their constitutions and
pledges, oaths and rosters OF MEM
bership for the inspection OF a
duly authorized committee ap-
pointed by Congress? No, indeed
Such an inspection would either
put them out Of business altogeth-
er or call down upon them such a
torrent Of execration from the in
telligent and God-fearing citizens
Of this country as would make
them outcasts forever from the
society of decent; liberty-loving
people.
The Catholic Church has moth
ing to fear from this investigation,
if it be ever undertaken. She has
nothing to conceal. Her alleged
political activity in this country
is only a Pigment Of the magma
ton Of men whose stock-in-trade
is vituperation and calumny. We
doubt that Congress will stultify
itself by taking any notice of this
resolution except to relegate it to
the waste basket. If it does con-
slider it, the sane men in that body
should see that it's scope is broad
ened to include all organizations,
political and otherwise, which
would strike a blow at genuine
liberty under the guise of a pa
triotism whose distinctive note is
selfshness.