The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1919-02-22
CATHOLIC
VOICES PAPAL BLUFF
Will The Craven Faltsr and The
Threatened Turn Their Back
to The Enemy


The leopard has not changed
his spots, nor the Ethiopian the
ebony hue of his skin, Neither has
the Romanist experienced change
of heart and forgotten his implac-
able hatred of Professionalism, nor
his determination to crush all
forms of opposition and make him
self and his church the rulers Of
America. That this has been pretty
well covered up, for the past two
or three years, we admit. The
old time bluster and riots we're
nauseating the people, and a re-
action was setting in, SO the soft
pedal was put on all as far as pos
sible, while honeyed assertions Of
harmony and brotherly love were
frequently made by those unused
to the tones.
War time, too, was at hand, and
as The Tablet said, it was their op-
portunity. Their opportunity To-
get into the good graces Of the un-
thinking mass of the people.
Their opportunity by profess
sions Of super-loyalty to get REQ
ognition as a sect from a suscept-
ible administration; their oppor-
tunity for prestige, Offices, and dol
lars, and they made use Of it to
the farthest limit.
Now, when the war is over and
peace in sight, with no more "war
drives" in sight and no special
pleas available in which to play
upon the sympathy and credulity
of the people, the mask is thrown
off, the lid lifted, and the same old,
ugly vision of rule or ruin is
thrust before us.
The Western Catholic Of Feb.
7th, in an editorial herewith given,
displays the old spirit of hate and
bluster, with the usual deceptive
wall of bigotry, and the customary
brag over achievements. We quote
The Western Csilolic:
CATHOLICS ARE NOT FRIGHTENED
The anticipated wave Of bigotry
has started on. its way. We antici-
pated 1t because the church is the
mythical body of Christ. The more
Christ did for His people the more
He was prosecuted. The more the
church does for humanity the more
virulent do her enemies become.
There is new danger in the pres
ent method Of attack. The bigot Of
today will not resort TO open war
or to physical violence. The most
tricky politician will shy at these
patriotic" societies. The business
man, no matter how he may hate
the church, will conceal his opinions
for business reasons. II the Cath
olic body present that solidarity
which should be one Of the results
Of the great work done In the war
there will be little to fear. Cath
olics are numerically the strongest
body in the country. We are fully
competent to take care Of ourselves.
In nearly every community Cath
olics are among those interested.
The trust octopus has Catholic ten-
tacles and we have our share of what
is called tainted money. In the pro-
| fessions Catholics occupy the high
est places of honor and influence,
On the roll Of iurists and Statesmen
are honored Catholic names. Our
church buildings are the finest, our
institutions Of learning most numer-
Gus, and no eleemosynary institutions
can compare to those conducted by
Catholics.
We have the power and can set
in action the criminal laws against
those who do violence to US or our
church property. We can cut short
the career Of any politician who
would play the bigot and there Is q
yawning bankruptcy court for tha
business that discriminates against
Catholics on account Of their religion.
In view Of the riotous proclivi-
ties Of Roman Catholics, and their
past achievements in this line, the
allusion to violence to us or our
church property" is a sorry Jest,
though intended to arouse the
fears and fanaticism Of the mem
bers of the church.
The warning threat to politi.
clans and business men is more
significant. To such as the editor
Of The Western Catholic a s'bigot
! is merely one who opposes any
method Of the Catholic church, OF
any scheme Of its leaders, no mat,
ter how i'll smelling or iniquitouI
it might be. As such, the threat
to the politician mdst be con.
. strued.
The politician or man In publ,
life who dares to stand for a sep
: aration Of church and state, VIII,
clans and business men is morC
: dares to uphold the sacredness d
: public funds, and opposes their us,
for sectarian purposes, who standl