The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-09-21
CATHOLICS UPHOLD
AMERICAN IDEALS
Believe, Like Others, In Church
and State Separation.
OPPOSED TO ANY MIhGLING


No Issue on Question Of Devoting Pub
lie Funds to Religious Purposes, In
Schools or Elsewhere - Avow Only
Spiritual Allegiance to Pontiff, Who
Is Head of Faith.
September seventh, 1916.
Mr. G. Z. Kramer. Secretary Political
Action Committee, Wisconsin Guard
fans of Liberty:
My Dear Sir-Your letter of some
days ago l wish to acknowledge. You
have submitted to me a certain So
called declaration of principles, and as
a candidate for political office in the
State Of Wisconsin you have asked Of
me my views concerning these princi-
pies.
You say your organization stands
unalterably for the complete separa.
ton of Church and State. To this |
subscribe without reservation.
You declare that you are united TO
protect our country and its free inSti-
tutions from the influence Of any re
ligiouspolitical organization, and you
concern yourselves with no political
faith, but do take issue with any
Church Interfering with established
American institutions and civil govern
ment. These sentiments | endorse I'm
equivocably. l, too, am vigorously OPP
posed to an intermingling of religion
and politics. The one is concerned
with the spiritual life, the other with
things strictly and solely Of the earth
These two activities do not in practice
harmOnize and where, as in America,
there are so many religious move
ments, any effort to minge Church and
State is decidedly repu1sant to our
traditions. Such ar~erfort cannot fail
to produce harsh discord and drastic
conflict in our political affairs.
No Public Funds For Religion.
You maintain that the state has the
right to give free instruction, but that
the religious instruction Of children is
the exclusive prcrogative of parents.
and you are opposed to the use Of
public funds for any religious purpose
Regarding this statement. there is no
issue between us. The matter Of Cdu-
cation and instruction Of children is
the sole prcrogative Of parents and al
ways has been. The question of use Of
pubic funds for religions purposes is
purely an academic one, because mo.
where in this couutry-aud we are con
cerned with this country take flare
the funds of the State. or any division
Of the State, used for religious pur
poses.
You "maintain ii to be Inconsistent
and destructive to free government to
appoint or elect to political or military
office any person who openly, or secret
ly, comedies superior authority to any
foreign, political, or ecclesiastical pow
er whatever"
| am a Roman Catholic and as such
with all the others of my faith, | con.
ccde supremacy in spiritual affairs TO
the central authority of my Church
the Pope a Catholic accepts as a prin
ciple of his faith that the papacy has
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Man Of Religion Is Best Official.
There is nothing in the acknoWlclg
mcnt of a supreme spiritual head that
is autagouistic to the acceptance and
the faithful fulfIlmrnt of political
trust. Religious faith ana service to-
the state are not rcpuguant to each
other rather thcy arc COMPLIMENTS of
each other: and consricntiously be
lirye that comlared with the atheist
ar tha aonostic fine man of sincere ana
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