Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-08-26

RAOAAACAlAlA6 LAA[ II &C C-~CA ~s9C \
For one hundred and twenty
five years, more or less, the an
tagonism OF religious groups was
not felt to any great extent, but
tn recent years there has been 2
steady increase OF religious dis
cord. There has been antagonist
between the Christian and tn
Jew. between the Protestant an
the Catholic, and between the va.
ious sects and denominations tina
profess and call themselves Chris
tians.
Anti-Semitic Feeling.
The anti-Semitic feeling in the
United states is due, in my opin-
ion. to several causes. l thihk
primarily It Is based upon feel
ing OF jealousy OF the Jews great
advance in America along all lines
OF commercial and professional
activity. When one considers
that there are only a little more
than three millions OF Jews In
the United States, it Is astound
ing what great progress they
have made In practically every
field OF endeaYOr.
The popular conception Of the
Jews as merely commercial people
Is not borne out By the facts, be-
cause In the legal, medical. and
scientific professions, in music, in
the drama, and in the arts some
OF the leaders in America are
Jewish people. Instead OF meet
ing this unusual rise by emula
tion and competition, many peo-
pie give vent to their jealousy |
through the channels of an unrea-
soning anti-Semitism.
On the other hand there is a
great deal OF legitimate criticism
aafnst the extremely lower class
es Of foreign Jews who have been
permitted to come indiscriminate
ly TO American shores. people who
are ignorant OF real Americanism
and unwilling to learn. The gem
eral characteristics OF these people
are eagerly seized upon by the
professional Jew-baiter, and con-
sequently the great mass OF Amer
leans OF Jewish origin, men and
women OF refinement and ability
are made the targets OF a general
attack OF anti-Semitism.
There is a great deal more anti
Catholicism in America than the
average person realizes. and the
sooner the Protestants and the
Catholics find some common
ground OF agreement, the better
off this country will be. Much OF
this sort OF group antagonism
could be eliminated II both sides
OF the controversy would get to-
gether and abandon the spirit OF
intolerance that Is characteristic
OF each.
The Increase OF Catholicism in
American haa been very rapid
There are now over seventeen mil
lion Catholics IN this country. and 1
they are found to a great extent
in the larger cities. In these
places the church IS a force for
great good. controlling people
that no other religious organiza-
tion can control. and should its
good Influence suddenly be with
drawn. the most wretched condi-
tions would prevail.
| do not believe that the Pro-
testant churches possess the abil-
ity to cope with certain phases OF
life as successfully
as does the Catholic church.
Basic Causes of Difference.
Basic causes OF group antagon-
SIN between Protestant aud Cath
,llc lie partly in the fact that the
OF the Catholic
,hurch is outside OF the United
'tates, and partly on account Of
he attitude OF the church itself
oward certain American institu-
ions. notably the public school
ystem and the laws In this coun-
" governing marriages II the
atholfo church was under an 4
merican head, with no c0nnee-
on with any foreign organlsa-
on, there would be bat little
,ound upon which the profess
0nal cathoIic-baiter could stand.
u