Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-12-10
DIR. LACKLAND FOR IRISH CAUSE
Former DEBORAH Methodist Minister
Quoted i'm letter in Catholic
Citizen.

DR.. G. S. Lakeland, former pastor
of the Methodist church in DEBORAH.
but now pastor of Grace NJ. E..
church in Denver Colo, is one of
the protestant ministers supporting
the irish cause in their fight to be
freed from England's rule, The fol-
lowing article appeared in the Nov.
29issue of the Catholic Citizen:
L. Protestant churches of America,
Disguised with the use of their re-
ligion by imperialistic politicians in
/ the movement to keep Ireland in
bondage, are organizing a vast cam
paign to put an end to this state of
affairs.
The Rev. G. S. Lakeland, pastor OF
the Grace Methodist Episcopal
church, Denver, is one of the leaders,
and is among the four signers of a
letter being sent to Protestant past
ors in many parts of the nation.
1.-The Inter-Church League for Irish
independence" is the pame of the
organization formed and headQuar-
ters have been established at 2126
Woolworth building. New York City.
Following is the letter sent out,
signed by Mr. Lakeland and the
others:
Reverand and Dear Brother:
The religious aspect of the quest
ion of Irish independence concerns
lyon vitality. Stripped of it's camou-
aage of political propaganda, the re-
ligious issue in Ireland comes TO
this: the world is asked to believe
that to maintain it's supremacy ir
Ireland the Protestant religion is
desirious of keeping a nation in po-
litical bondage. and to attain it's un-
holy end is willing to use machine
guns, bomb-dropping aeroplanes, the
dungeon and the sword.
This is a SANDER against our re-
ligion that Professionals the world
over resent. Professionals have never
fought to enslave any people. no mat
, ter what their creed might be.
= Protestants gladly fought for the
, freedom of Catholic Belgium, and
Catholic Poland. Professionalism is
, more hurt by the charge that it is
: selfshly opposed to the freedom of
, the Irish nation than is the cause Of
Irish freedom.
: President cannon de Valera is the
accredited Representative of four
ffths Of the Irish people duly elected
to speak for them in a regular cleo
ton ordered and held in Ireland
under British supervision. He is in
our country to put the case or his
People before the bar OF American
public opinion. While he is in your
city he will be glad to meet you and
to answer any questions you may
see fit to ask.
We are not asking you to change
your opinions, but we feel We have
the right to ask before you give
utterance to them that you assure
yourself for the sake Of moral prob
ity as we'll as intellectual honesty,
that your opinions are based upon a
fair study Of the case from both
sides. Thus only can an honest CON
viction be arrived at.
The Inter-Church League invites
you to hear President de Valera-to
accord him the same courtesy that
the Irish people accorded to Benia-
: min Franklin when he advocated the
j cause of the American colonies in
Ireland.
The committee on arrangements in
your city will be glad to see that you
have a private interview with Mr. de
Valera if you so desire. We ask that
you avail yourself of this opportunity
for the sake of justice and fair play
+ We are fraternally yours,
NORMAN THOMAS !,
ms f. 28th ST., New York, Minister
of Presbyterian Church.
OWEN LOVEJOY,
SudtllleS Duliulll5, NC" VI n, MINIS
ter OF the Congregational Church
w. B. SPOFFORD,
lSt. Georges Church, Chicago, Minis
ter of the Episcopal Church.
G. S. LAKELAND,
Grace M. E. Church, Denver, Colo.
Minister of the Methodist Episc-
pal Church.
! Following are the names that ap-
pear on the letterhead of the Inter
Church League:
! President, the Hon. John Milhol-
land, New York; vice president
Lindsay Crawford, president hide
pendent Orange Lodges, editor The
/ Statesman, Toronto; secretary, the
mn