The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1916-09-09

.NikauAecl PohtI Nlak uhs ptn eNt-
tematically operating through the
knights Of Columbus, the Ancient
Order Of Hibcrnians, the American
Federation Of Catholic Societies
and the
Jesuits In Our Politics
has been equally active in creating a
nationwide censorship Of the press
by which il has succeeded under the
absurd preteIt Of not arousing re-
ligious prejudice, in excluding from
full, free, public discussion, such
vital political issues as appropria-
ton Of public funds for sectarian
purposes, the safeguarding Of con-
stitutional guarantees, Of freedom
Of religious discussion, freedom
Of press, freedom Of speech
and assembly-basic provisions Of
our ORGANIC LAW that are as
fundamental 10 free institutions as
censorship and suppression by force
are essential TO the maintenance Of
despotism.
Pending Democratic Renaissance
Signs are not wanting that indi-
cate that the greatest awakening in
the history Of our government is at
hand. The recent introduction Of
the Free Press Defense Leagues
demand for an investigation Of pa
pal activity in relation TO our free
government marks a mile stone in
our history. The patriotic answer
to Rome's organization and promo
ton OF such secret oath-bound So
cieties as the Ancient Order Of Hi
bernians and the Knights Of Colum-
bus finds expression in such splen-
did American organizations as the
Guardians Of Liberty, the member
ship Of which, is about one million.
the knights Of Luther. the Junior
Order OF American Me .hanics, the
Sons Of America, the Great Sccro,
Order, and other patriotic socisLes
whose memberships aggregate many
millions. And now comes the awak-
ening democratic sentiment ex-
pressing anew its fealty TO freedom
and the protection Of human rights,
by the enactment Of convent inspec-
ton laws in two great southern COM
monwealths, and in the sweeping
patriotic victories in recent primary
elections, north, south, east and
west.
II remained, however. for ex-
Congressman A. W. Lafferty to set
the pace for the peoples representa-
tiyes, by frankly pledging his loyal
ty TO the fundamental ideals Of our
free government in the face Of
Rome's determined and persistent ef-
fort TO replace our splendid liberal
government by the papal govern
mental provisions including restric-
ton, censorship, sectarian political
Advancement and enrichment and
sectarian education.
In an address to the electorate Of
his dictrict, Mr.. Lafferty further
emphasizes this position in the fol-
lowing words;
"If elected, ] shall use the powers
OF the Office Of congressman to make
the constitution and the flag mean
all that our revolutionary fore
fathers inteHded that they should
mean. | believe that education is
the only thing that will ever COM
pletely strike the shsckles of slavery
from the minds and the bodies Of
the people. The three most impor-
tant things looking toward general
education are: Our matchleSs pub
lie school system, our right Of free
speech and our right to a free
press"
What Lafferty's Election Means
When a man Of Mr.. Lafferty's
courage, ability, and experience in
national law making ranges him
self on the side Of the liberal de-
mocracy of the fathers, a great op-
portunity and a grave responsibility
confronts the electorate Of his dis
trict. His stand at this crisis
should call to his loyal support,
every patriotic man and woman in
the third Oregon congressional dis