The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-09-04
WHY PLAY MOUSE TO THE
LION?

Many forces are at work in the
endeavor to tie these United
States to the wheel of the British
chariot. England has never fully
recovered from her chagrin at
losing the original Colonies that
have developed into such a
mighty power; neither has she
ever lost an opportunity to sheer
at America and to embroil this
country in embarrassing condi-
lions. From time to time has she
used her influence-or bluff-to
entangle this republic in the
meshes of defeat. Not satisfied
with the decisive whipping adj
ministered in the Revolution,
England came back some years
later and was thoroughly
thrashed in the war Of 1912. New
ertheless she has not yet learned
her lesson. In the Civil War she
did all in her power to disrupt
the Union, aiding the Southern
States in their attempt at seces-
sion, only to lose out again dis
gracefully in the Alabama claims.
Even as late as Cleveland's time,
she tried to bluff her way through
question Of fisheries. covertly
menacing force to uphold her de-
mands. 1t was Cleveland s
prompt and vigorous threat of
war that made the British lion
drop tail and scamper.
Now we are asked again to
form an alliance with this over
gorged empire Uncle Sam. like a
big, clumsy. honest boy, listened
to the cry for help. He sent his
legions to save the remnant Of the
British armies when they were
fighting with their backs to the
enemy" only to have them come
forth later on and claim that they
won the war. Uncle Sam gave all
and asked nothing in return
Great Britain saved all and has
been grasping out for every col
ony, city and province she can
lay her hands on. Claiming the
largest fleet in the world, she has
demanded and received the lion s
share Of the enemy fleet, and I'm
Gle Sam has carelessly given in
Would a victorious Germany have
been more avaricious than saved
England has proven herself
Scarcely.
The United States took Cuba,
and, although this island pos.
sessed immensely valuable strate,
gle Importance for this country
Cuba was given her independence
Ireland has been bounded and
dragged in the mire Of insults and
torture and persecution for cen.
turtles by a bully that is even now
staggering under the weight OF
booty-much of it unjustly ac
quired. And we are to align our
selves with a red-handed murder
er in order to give tone and stand
ing before the world to this muir
derer? For it is murder, cold
blooded and deliberate, to goac
people into rebellion and ther
slaughter them as has been done
in Ireland on many an occasion.
There is story about a grea1
king who possessed large focks
and who, nevertheless, coveted {
little eve lamb of another. He ac
quired the eve lamb, but the deco
branded him with disgrace before
God and man. when Nathan sale
to David: "Thou art the man. ;
Is not the lesson clear? Hi
Grace of st. Louis, in an articl,
reproduced elsewhere in this is
sue, has well pointed out the mis-
take Of aligning ourselves Will
our ancient enemy. If Washing
ton advised against foreign ALI
ances, surely he must have re
ferred in especial manner to a,
alliance with the British empire
/ It is becoming disgusting AM
nauseating to read from time t,
time how our histories are bein,
rewritten, our national anthem
emasculated to suit the whims Of
nation that delights in ridiculin,
us from our open, unvarnishe,
craftsmanship to what they ar
/ pleased to style, speaking Of on
tongue, as THAT horrid, colonia
i twang, you know
i Better any day an alliance wit
/ Germany, that has always bee
our friend up to the late war, tina,
a pact with .that nation that ha
i lever been our sworn enemy i
| spite Of honeyed words when sh
was in need. Germany may hav
1 committed outrages during til
Il What nation has clean hand
b 4 1.. e Il sss.