L. A. S by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1902

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

RECENTLY there was held in Chicago the first convention of the American Catholic Federation, of which we have made mention a number of times. The sentiment of the convention was voiced in an address by Bishop McFaul, who said he regretted much that the federation was not in existence at the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Spain, so that papal sentiment could have been more effectively expressed at that time. However, already, he said, the expression of “public opinion” through the Catholic press, stimulated by the formation of the federation, has caused the repeal of “the odious marriage order issued in Cuba by General Brooke,” and has “inclined the administration to a proper regard” for Catholic “rights.” It is the purpose of the federation, he declared, to “keep up the agitation,” and thus “aid the administration” in settling affairs in the new possessions. The organization is “deeply interested in obtaining just treatment for the friars, who have suffered under so many cruel calumnies,” and is also watching “with eagerness the educational interests of the Filipinos.” It has already taken action in this matter. The bishop said:—

In response to a protest and a petition addressed to his excellency, the president of the United States, the War Department sent the federation two letters containing information as to the total number of teachers employed, the number sent from this country, and the institutions whence the teachers came. It was denied therein that proselytism was either committed or existed in the schools.

The federation finds fault with the government for not sending Catholics to teach in the Filipino schools. These schools are under government control, and must therefore be unsectarian, if regard is to be paid to the fundamental principles of American government. To employ Catholic teachers would be to introduce Catholic teaching into these schools, in every instance where the teacher would do what a good Catholic believes to be his (or her) duty. To unite religion with the state is a Catholic principle; to divorce the two is a Protestant principle. This makes the difference, which is a vital one, between Catholic and Protestant teachers who remain true to their principles. And this federation is determined to bring all its pressure to bear to compel the administration to put Catholic teachers rather than Protestants in its public schools in the Philippines. It is determined to force the government to violate the most fundamental and sacred of republican principles of government.

The bishop made reference to “one of the letters received by the federation from the War Department,” which stated that “it is the purpose of the Philippine government to maintain in the archipelago the same kind of free non-sectarian instruction which exists in the United States, and which has proved to be for the interest of religion and all religions.” Of this the bishop said that it was “an astounding assertion, since every one knows that the American public school system has been one of the chief factors” in “the dechristianizing of America.” But the bishop did not mean by this that he would have the public school system contribute toward the making of Protestants. He would have no religion taught in the schools but that of Rome.

These quotations clearly show the spirit by which this federation is actuated, and the objects it has in view. As the bishop stated, “it is its aim to protect the interests of Catholics, whether at home or abroad.” The American government can have no proper concern with “the interests of Catholics,” as such, but only with the interests of people as citizens, without any reference whatever to religious belief.