Rome and Freedom of Speech
By Editor
It has been the boast of Rome, especially of late years, that she is the conservator of freedom and liberty, the founder of this nation, and the one in whose hands alone liberty is safe. The liberty which Rome grants has always been liberty to think as she does and to speak as she dictates. This has been manifest so many times that it scarcely seems worthy of notice again, and yet, under Rome’s constant protestations, people seem to forget her true character. Ex-priest Slattery spoke on the subject “Why Priests Do not Wed,” in Odd Fellows’ Hall in San Francisco, April 4. Of course the lecturer was against Rome, but Mr. Slattery has as much right to antagonize Rome as Rome has to antagonize Mr. Slattery. But before the lecture concluded there were over 2,000 people gathered around the entrance to the hall, some of whom occasionally shouted, “Lynch him!” “Hang him!” “Kill him!” However, by the number of police on hand and the large crowd of Mr. Slattery’s own supporters, he reached the street in safety and was driven away. “But,” said one policeman, “that was a narrow escape; only one fool was needed to start the row, and the city receiving hospital and morgue would have had lots of new business on hand.” That is the very spirit which Rome inculcates in her followers, and for which her teachings are responsible. And she never can be successfully fought with the same weapons which are used and advocated by ex-priest Slattery and his friends. The only weapons which will successfully meet Rome are the weapons not carnal, the armor furnished by the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course to use these weapons and this armor means, when Rome has the power, persecution. But it was through suffering that Christ conquered, and his church will conquer in the same way.