A Unique Resolution by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

A Unique Resolution

By F. M. W.

PERHAPS one of the most unique resolutions ever introduced in Congress, and one of the most original attempts for the settlement of religious controversy, is represented in a joint resolution introduced in the House of Representatives July 13, by Mr. Lindbergh, a representative from Minnesota. This resolution recites the religious controversy which has been going on regarding the aims and purposes of the Roman Catholic Church in America, the evils which are resulting from this controversy in the engendering of religious prejudice, and proposes the appointment of a committee for the purpose of investigating charges which have

been made against the Roman Catholic Church. The resolution follows, as published in the Congressional Record of July 13:—

“Whereas, There are many economic problems that require the action of Congress and the concerted action of all the patriotic people with Congress for their solution favorable to the public which, to the great loss of the people, have remained in a state of uncertainty because of disputes among the people upon other matters; and—

“Whereas, One of the most important of the collateral matters that diverts the people from sufficiently considering the economic needs is the claim of the Free Press Defense League, a Kansas organization, with affiliations in all parts of the country, involving a large following; and—

“Whereas, The Free Press Defense League and similar organizations and their following represent that:—

“First, the Pope of Rome is a foreign sovereign, claiming allegiance in temporal as well as spiritual matters throughout the world.

“Second, the papal system of which the Pope is the head is opposed to and seeks to destroy our free institutions, to wit:—

“a. Our public schools.

“b. The free press.

“c. The right of free speech and public assembly.

“d. The right of freedom of thought in matters of conscience.

“e. The principle of separation of church and state.

“Third, the papal system of America, which consists of Roman Catholics, cardinals, bishops, priests, Jesuits, Knights of Columbus, Federation of Catholic Societies, and other Catholic societies, together with the Roman Catholic press, seek to substitute for our democratic system of government the monarchial or papal system.

“Fourth, the Roman Catholic laity in the United States of America are taught, influenced, and commanded, by some of those in authority, to yield implicit obedience to the teaching of the popes of Rome and to blindly obey their orders and decrees, even though said orders and decrees conflict with the Constitution of the United States of America.

“Fifth, the Roman Catholic organization of America is perniciously active in politics, and although having but few voters, as compared with the whole body of electors, it manages by threats, intimidations, blackmail, and by coercion of the press, to secure an undue proportion of the elective, and especially the appointive, offices throughout the country, and these offices, when filled with Roman Catholics, are used to further the plan of making America dominantly Catholic.

“Sixth, in carrying out the conspiracy to bring the United States of America under the complete domination of the Pope of Rome, the Roman Catholic hierarchy, aided by the Roman Catholic politicians and the Roman Catholic press, has inspired a portion of the Roman Catholic laity to resort to threats, to intimidation, to boycott, to assault, and to riot.

“Seventh, the Roman Catholic hierarchy is now and has been for more than a year last past, actively engaged within the territory of the United States of America in fomenting and inciting revolution in the Republic of Mexico and attempting to bring about a state of war between the Republic of Mexico and the United States; and—

“Whereas, The said claims on the part of the said so-called Free Press Defense League and similar organizations have been and now are being broadcasted over the country, and both sides to the controversy are causing to be sent to members of Congress great numbers of allegations and assertions and counter-allegations and denials upon the said various claims, which controversy injures the interests of both Catholics and Protestants; and—

“Whereas, The said controversy foments troubles and interferes with the unprejudiced action of millions of electors in the United States, and thereby interferes with a natural, consistent, and impartial administration of government in the interests of all the people; and—

“Whereas, A true and impartial investigation and a report thereon by a properly constituted public committee would take these controversies out of politics and stop the attempts to improperly influence the acts of public officials; now, therefore be it—

“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a joint committee of the Senate and House be appointed to make inquiry into the representations hereinbefore referred to.

“Section 2. That the said committee shall have power to employ clerks and stenographers and to compel the attendance of persons and the production of papers, books, documents, and records, and to examine witnesses under oath; that said committee shall have power to sit anywhere that it may deem necessary to secure all the facts to complete its inquiry, and shall report the testimony to Congress.”

We understand that this resolution was introduced at the instance of the so-called Free Press Defense League. We question whether it will ever be reported out of the committee to which it was referred. While such an investigation, if impartially conducted, might prove highly educational in that it would clarify the questions under discussion, yet we doubt whether there could be appointed a committee which would consider the charges made by the Free Press Defense League without political or religious bias, for both these elements would play a part in the investigation of the question.

But the results of such an investigation would by no means settle the controversy. Suppose the committee should find in favor of the charges of the Defense League, would the Catholic population of the country be willing to accept the decision? This is unbelievable, and we feel equally confident that there are many Protestants who would be as unwilling to accept the conclusion of the committee if a decree favorable to the Catholic side of the question were rendered. Over the questions involved, the convictions of many have become too deeply seated to be changed by the investigations or opinions of a Congressional committee.

We have absolutely no sympathy with the bitter tirades which have been carried on by many lecturers and some journals against the Roman Catholic Church. This warfare has been lacking in every essential of Christian courtesy. Other journals, however, have carried on the discussion in a dignified Christian spirit. From this manner of discussion much good has resulted.

We must believe that it is the purpose of Roman Catholicism to make America dominantly Catholic. To do this through a missionary propaganda, as that term is properly understood, is entirely laudable; but to employ in such service political and other non-Christian influences is reprehensible. We believe sincerely that the time will come in the history of the United States when Roman influence will dominate the affairs of the nation much more completely than it is doing at the present time. This we hold is clearly revealed in the prophecies of Revelation 13 and 14. We do not believe that any opposing propaganda can avert this, for the reason that the prophet of God foresaw that it would come, and we cannot doubt the precision of that foreknowledge.

We cannot hope to save the great mass of mankind from deception, nor the multitude from taking the fateful step which will involve the ruin of American freedom. We can, however, hope to save individuals, and for this reason we should be zealous in our efforts, reasonably and consistently, in the spirit of Christ, to warn our fellows against the aims of the Roman Catholic Church. Those aims are not alone religious, but predominatingly political, and it is for us to proclaim to our fellows the principles of civil and religious liberty as represented in the gospel message.

F. M. W.