South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-19
A POLITICAL APPEAL TO RELIGIOUS
FRENZY.

ANY EFFORT Of the republicans induct religious
frenzy into the presidential campaign, will do it more
harm than good. read the signs of the times
Alright The moving picture film being produced IN
New York for republican national committee, ap-
propriatng a complaint that has for year or more
been entertained by Catholic clergy, with regard
to Pres wilson's Mexican policy is directly in point
From stagings at Sheepshead bay, just outside the
metropolis the national committee plans by of the
movie screen employed by the various state com
rnittees To drive religious frenzy for
Candidate Hughes. and against the president Faxed
scenes OF Viasta atrocities against Catholic nuns in
Mexican converts while the president seeps'-with
picture him sleeping at his desk something like
drunken bum-are arranged for exhibition from the
We doubt If even the Catholic clergy. with its fire.
quently announced opposition Prest Wilson. will be
able 10 stomach such un-American methods of cam
paigning quite certain that better than the
average among Catholic aymen will Indignantly
denim IT, and We have grave forebodings when it
comes TO the priesthood dominating the parish in
matters political hits about the of
that he Protestant clergy does if sometimes
OF them. IS religious bigOtry in all churches
Assign TO of them the to control direct
the affairs state. doubtful il there
hgious denomination in existence that would
brace opportunity especially insofar the clergy
goes But the American people love liberty. and above
their fellows which leads doubt if this under
taking Of republicans viii appeal much
than the Catholic priesthood if makes any consd-
cradle appeal that
The story back of this dm production 5 not new. II
has been discussed Catholic pulpts locally.
told. urged by appeal from Bishop Alerding
demning the president for intervening in Mexico.
with ;he atrocities committed against the nuns
admitted inspiration We eontended then. and
tend now. of the United States
o. the in Mexico. anywhere. Merely because
victim OF something Of particular religious mould.
particular religious order not
obisate this nation rush their particular aid.
Besides those Mexican nuns were not American nuns
but Mexican and while all America may regret.
and does regret the insults assaults.
made them by the Vnaistas, it is pretty well
recognized that nothing that has happened Mexico
the outbreak of the revolution. could be
clusively Mexican internal affair The attempt
Americans OF like religious faith into frenzy
for Mr.. Hughes. against Wilson. by taxing pic
OF those insults assaults and attacks, throw
ing them upon the canvas only for the indul-
sence OF the veriest imps of he'll.
This is sentiment Of millions O excellent Catho-
lcs-hundreds OF them right here South Bend. II
needless refer the Protestant that
bound 10 inspire. Say nothing OF the insult the
president the -Americansm OF the violation all
American traditions such desperate straits
a the republican party ind itself
ought 10 be unanimously rebuked. This a secular
aper--absolutey non-sectaran. For proof
submit both Catholic Protestant opinion that OF
that a p As and that OF the latter