Rome and the Cabinet

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 1, 1913

Rome and the Cabinet

MR. WILSON'S failure to put any Catholic in his Cabinet is viewed with much concern and no little bitterness in Catholic circles. The Catholic Citizen, of Milwaukee, speaks thus in regard to the matter:—

The dead set made against the appointment of any Catholic in the Cabinet of the Democratic President naturally stirred the creed consciousness of the Catholic population. It was a proscriptive agitation, shared in, not merely by the “Guardians of Liberty” and their press, but prompted by such Methodist papers as the Christian Herald and by the resolutions here and there of many ministerial associations.

He [President Wilson] did not raise the religious consideration, nor wish it raised; but it was raised for him publicly and provokingly, and virtually in his official presence; for this slurring of the citizenship of millions of Americans—an actual majority of his party in the Northern States—was attempted as advising him in the performance of a presidential act; and many of the communications were officially so acknowledged by his secretaries. Could this seem to acquiesce, even tacitly?

The case recalls that notable incident when Reverend Burchard flung the phrase “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion” at Mr. Blaine. Mr. Blaine was no bigot, but he did not instantly parry the thrust; his seeming acquiescence lost him the presidency. Next day was too late.

Mr. Wilson is fortunate in having more time. Vacancies will probably occur in the Cabinet during his present term, and it will be possible to meet this issue where, and as to what, it has been raised. A liberal doling out of subordinate offices will not answer.

“Know-nothingism” even in the diluted form in which it makes its appearance just now in Washington can not rule this republic very long, and the Wilson Cabinet represents that brand of “Know-nothingism.” The representation in it of a certain narrow, aggressive, and militant type of Protestantism is a marked feature of the new Cabinet,—the type to which Wilson himself and Mr. Bryan belong.

One can not fail to see in this utterance a grim determination to see to it that Mr. Wilson shall meet with the fate of Mr. Blaine if he should again be a candidate for the presidency, unless between now and the end of his present term he should so alter the personnel of his official family that it will include one or more Catholics. Nothing less than Cabinet positions for Catholics will free the President from the weight of this threat against his second election. Protestants are criticized in the above quotation for giving the President elect advice in the matter of his official family. If they merit criticism for that, what does such a threat as the above merit? It is not advice; it is a demand with a penalty attached to non-compliance. Such a demand indicates clearly a failure to understand and appreciate the spirit of the national Constitution in its provision which prohibits the giving of offices in the government on the basis of what religion a man may profess.