The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-29

The Very Rev. pr. Vincent Meagh7 CT, o. F., head of the Dominican or der, voiced one of the most power full protests, saying:
 "It is the most sickening bit of sacrilege and b1asphemy I ever have seen. I do not believe that any po- litical organization ever descended to the depths that have been reached by the Republican managers in the present campaign. I would like to see a reproduction of this cartoon placed in the hands of every priest in America. Not that Catholics alone are affronted and humiliated by it. It is an insult to every Chris tian organization in the world.'
 Rev. Dr. J. G. H. Barry, pastor Of the Episcopal church of St. Mary the Virgin in West 46th street, New York city, said: . I have heard of it, and if it is as de- scribed, it is blasphemous outrage. To make a scurrilous political use of the thought of the Immaculate Con- ception argues the person capable of it as being impervious to any sense of decency."
 Rev. John H. Doo1ey, pastor of the Church of Corpus Christi, New York city, a leader in the cause of Irish freedom, said:
 T would call it simply b1asphem-
 He was asked: would you not consider it rather piece of stupidity than of bigotry, F'ather?"
 '.I would call it simply bigotry," he insisted.
 Many other clergymen, editors and business men all over the country are expressing the same view. k Even the belated. apology which has finally heen wrung from Chair man Will Hays of the Republican National Committee hasn't abated the fire of indignation against him and his candidate, Senator Harding MT. Hays was apparently in even after the cartoon had been eX- posed in the 'New York World" He flew in the face of public opinion by dining with Col. Harvey, in whose When reporter attempted to inter view him at that time Mr. Hays die not consider the matter of sufficient importance to make any explanation and declined to see the reporter. It happened, however, that Su- preme Knight James M. F1aherty o1 the Knights of Columbus was 1T New York at the time and issued . statement condemning the cartoon and it's perpetrators in unmeasure6 terms. Protests began to pour 1T from all parts of the country. The World editorially the following day called upon MT. Hays again to eX- plain, using these words:
 
 this campaign as a very cheap poll tician of the breed that is spawnei in the Middle West, and it is time fol him to explain where he stands 1T respect to his particular exploit 1T political bigotry and sacrilege. The inspiration of it is so close to the Re, publican National Com nlittee that the lack of responsibility cannot be taker for granted"
 The World is authority for the statement that MT. Hays admitted privately that the publication of the cartoon was the worst blunder'' ol the campaign.
 After conferences with party lead CTS the apology was sent out as the best way out of a ''ticklish situation
 Miss Sarah MacPike, President o1 St. Catherine's Welfare association which aims to promote a Knowledge of citizenship among women, has is sued this statement:
 "No insincere apology should be accepted by Catholic leaders at the time. Every person who has had ex. perience with special editions of pa, pers knows that a caricature of the Immaculate Conception and the Sacred Heart was not the work ol an irresponsible cartoonist, for every word, line, paragraph and page o1 such edition is scanned by responsible individuals.