The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-12-30
WORDS TO PONDER
HERE'S "A MAN WHO HAS THE
COURAGE OF HIS COMIC,
TIoNs THOUGHTS FOR
. THE THoUGHTLEss.

= =
We are not informed as to the re-
ligious belief. of William p. Clarke,
who since 1903 has been secretary
treasurer Of the Flint Glass Workers
international Union. In the following
address he proves himself to be real
man. Mr.. Clarke has been elected.
president Of the great organization of
which he has been trusted member
for many years. In his address to the
the membership he uttered the follow
ing sentiments, which are worthy Of
all respect:
Il hold that this organization is
neither Catholic nor Protestant in
religious sense, nor is it republican,
democrat or socialistic in political
sense. 1t is primarily a trade union,
and its fundamental policy is so
broad and SO liberal that it welcomes
into its fold men of all religious and
political beliefs, and / deny the right
of any man to question the unionism
or motives of another because he be-
longs to any sect, creed or political
party. If it were permitted in the
matter of religion and politics, then
what would prevent the questioning
of the motives of man because he
happens to be of certain nationality?
If man or set of men try to inject
their religious or political beliefs into
the workings of your local union, as
has been and still is being done, it
should be the duty of every union
man to decry the attempt This is
primarily business institution and
the issue of religion and politics has
absolutely no place in it's affairs. Tell
the men who advocate such, that
neither religion nor politics enters
into the construction or business of
our union, and that the only essential
qualifications for membership i'll
American Flint Glass Workers Union
are manhood, belief in the principles
of united trade union action, and the
necessity of being skilled mechanic.
Every fibre of my body rebels
against such action, especially in a
land where every man, woman and
child has an inherent right to worship
0Ou GbSSOiuAA6 tO3 CuO uICCcCC0 VI lis
own conscience. We pirate about
equal liberty and the injustice done
us by others, but if we are SO prone
to detect an Injustice, so must we. be
careful that we ourselves do no in
Justice
"A volume could be written on this
subject and the dangers that threaten
its injection into the affairs of our
local unions. So | feel that it is my
duty to warn you against it. Weigh
carefully my words and in your calm
moments ask yourself if this advice is
not timely.
Il have my religious belief and no
power on earth can swerve me from
it. It is as sacred as life itself, and
even though force or threat were
brought to bear or cause me to shirlz
or deny my faith, they could not sue
coed, but granting that they did, then
I ask, and in all fairness, what trust
can you afford to place in man who
would betray his Creator? Would he
not also betray his feIlowman?
"Just as | insist ON my rights In
these matters SO shall ever defend
any member of our organization that
he may always retain for himself the
right to serve his God or cast his
ballot. to his own liking, and that
without interference from his fellow
trade uniOnists.'
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