The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-04-06
ROBERTSON AND OTHERS.

gle is that this IS not a religious
war; Catholics and Protestants,
Jews and atheists, are to be found
everywhere, fighting in a common
cause, helping and understanding
one another, and fraternizing in
the most loyal manner. In spite
of the unity which is found
throughout the ranks, bigotry in
civilian life manifests itself rather
too frequently of late. A fair
minded person would consider it
the height of bad taste to attack
any religion under the present cir
cumstanceS. But there are many
persons, even in public life, who
are cursed by an execrable taste,
to put it mildly.
From time to time we have had
to call attention to various maya
zines that allow slurs on the Cath
Ollie Church as such, and upon her
august head, to gaze forth brazen-
ly from their pages. Whether it
be the policy of such periodicals
to thus insult Catholics, or
whether it be pure Indifference on
their part as to the feelings of any
Of their readers. the fact remains
that we are called upon entirely
too often to bear gratuitous in
suits from others. In view Of the
large percentage of Catholics who
are helping the common cause in
every line of activity, it i'll be-
comes any loyal citizen or institu-
tion to hurl mud at the Catholic
Church.
A certain Captain Finn, recruit
ing British agent in st. Paul some
time ago, was transferred to
another city. Instead of helping
his government, he antagonized
Americans by upbraiding the
Catholic Church. Firms descent
into Oblivion was instantaneous.
Now comes the Reverend John
Robertson, said to be a Protestant
Chaplain from the front.
Robertson announced that lie
would tour the United States and
lecture OH the war. In Denver,
Colo, it seems he became badly
mixed in the points of his lecture.
lie gave vent to TRADE against
the Papacy, declared that Pope
Benedict XIV and the Catholic
Church were pro-German, and at
tackled the Church on the grounds
that the Pope had not protested,
as he claimed. against the despo-
liation of Belgium.
An alert priest of Denver
promptly took up the accusations.
The United States District At
torney called on Robertson, and
it was determined to institute pro-
ceedings against the Reverend
gentleman as an alien enemy. It
was decided finally that the Cath
olics would be satisfied if Robert
son give up his speaking tour and
return Immediately to Europe. To
clinch the matter, Robertson wrote
a letter regarding the case, adj
hitting the facts, and this letter
is now in the hands of the United
States District Attorney. The
Reverend disturber announced to
the public that the big German
drive made his presence in the
trenches Immediately imperative.
He probably prefers the battle
front to Colorado prison.
The above and similar cases
which are occurring entirely too
often of late are much to be
regretted. The various forces of
the nation are making no distinc-
ton whatsoever in the matter of
religion. The government is
magnificently helping every de-
nomination to protect it's own
men. The men themselves know
but one word, patriotism: their
religion is their own personal con
Germ. 1t is much to be deplored,
however, that thinking or
unbalanced minds, be they clergy
men or laymen, should be so in
discreet as to attack any particu-
lar religion, especially during
such a crisis. The slogan should
be, let every man work and fight
for the common cause; let him
worship as he sees fit Such
itinerant demagogues as the Rev
Mr.. Robertson should be placed
under ban, or should have their
speeches thoroughly revised and
censored by an intelligent friend
or public official.
MEMORIAL. TO THF. MINIS