The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-08-11

4
cally American, of recognized
merit and of proven worth is al.
ready on the ground and work
ingg Why don't the Knights go in
with the Y. NJ. G. A. instead Of
working in competition and there
fore in opposition to them? How
would it work to have two Red
Cross organizations in the field, or
two different. Ambulance Corps, or
two Medical Corps, etc.," 1t then
adds the sapient comment: cit
looks very much as If the Knights
want to introduce sectarianism in
to their work of charity The
conclusion is: "Would it not be
better for us all to support the
Y. M. G. A? Think it over
As one would expect, this circu-
lar is anonymous. 1t contains too
many statements, the falsity of
which could be easily ascertained
by any intelligent and conscien-
tious person, to bear the signature
Of any reputable individual. The
source from which it emanated
can be readily guessed and the
motive which prompted it's dis
tribution can be discovered with
out a microscope.
AS a matter Of fact, the Knights
Of Columbus never contemplated
"a big drive to raise $4,000 in
this city," and even if they did,
what Of it? Does the field belong to
the Y. M. G. A? $4,000 would
not go far tawords establishing
recreation and social centers at
all the Army Encampments and a
so-called Knights of Columbus
House at Fort Smelling At the
present high cost Of material and
workmanship $4,000 would be a
mere drop in the ocean as far as
doing the work which the Knights
Of Columbus contemplate. The
Order has found that the million
dollar War Camp Fund which it
has already raised is insufficient
for the splendid work of patriot
ism and charity which it has un-
dertaken to perform.
The comparison which the anon
ymous scribe makes between the
Knights of Columbus and the
Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton is unfortunate-for him and
for his purpose. Similar state
ments have been made by the fool
friends of the Y. M. G. A. for
many years and, no doubt, will
continue to be made as long as the
Association parades it's alleged
character in its ap-
peals to the public for financial
aid. If this doughty champion OF
Y. M. G.. Aism knew as much
about it as the average citizen of
ordinary intelligence, he would not
be unaware Of the fact that his
pet organization is decidedly sec
tartan and that it's leaders admit
that they do not want to have
anything to do with Catholics or
Jews. The Knights Of Columbus
is, likewise, a sectarian organiza-
ton; but it differs from the Y. M.
G.. A. in as much as it make no
secret Of it's sectarian character,
while the Y. M. G.. A. usually con-
fines the statement Of it's true aim
and purpose to it's Constitution
and makes no mention Of it in it's
public appeals.
The Knights Of Columbus is an
Order made up exclusively OF
Catholic men who glory in their
loyalty to the Church and who,
through love Of their religion and
a desire to bring spiritual consola-
ton to their fellow Catholics OF
the Army and Navy, are endeavor-
ing to raise money to build chapels
and social centers in the various
encampments and to send priests
as chaplains to minister to the
Catholic soldiers. This is the Sec
tartan side Of their work. But
they believe in extending the
mantle Of their charitable en-
deavors to all; and so their recrea-
ton centers in the various en-
campments welcome every soldier,
be he Catholic or not, and accord
him the full benefits Of the social
and educational facilities which
these centers afford.
The Y. M. c. A., on the contrary,
processes to be non-sectarian
while, as a matter Of fact, its Con-
stitution debars Catholics, Jews,
and Unitarians from any voice in
its government. 1t does not limit
its appeal for financial aid to the
members of Evangelical churches
but asks Catholics, Jews, etc, to
support it, while it denies them the
privilege Of membership on it's
Board Of Directors. In other
words, it discriminates against