COVERING UP HER TRACKS.
By Editor
THE restoration of Roman power and influence is being felt in various ways. This growing influence has, as is admitted on all hands, such a hold upon nearly all the great daily papers of the country that none of them dare publish anything detrimental to that church. While the non-political churches are never spared, if a reporter gets a chance to give them a sensational rap, Rome's notices are invariably of a patronizing character, and columns are devoted to her interests where inches are given to the notice of any Protestant denomination. But Rome is particularly interested in covering up her historical tracks. A notable instance was her onslaught a few years ago on Myers' school histories. The influence brought to bear upon the publishers was so strong as to induce them to expunge the passages that were offensive to Catholics. This was not because of a lack of authenticity, but because Roman Catholic authorities protested against the use of the books in the schools unless the objectionable features were stricken out. Another instance of a like character was the Catholic objection to Hittell's "History of California." The first two volumes contained considerable matter pertaining to the padres of the early Catholic missions. In fact the history of the missions was a prominent feature of the history of California under Spanish and Mexican rule. Hittell's material was drawn mainly from original documents found in the Spanish and Mexican archives; therefore his information was almost wholly from Catholic sources. But Catholics objected to the publication of some of the doings of the priests. True, they were not flattering at all, but they were authentic history. And there was sufficient Catholic influence to keep the historic volumes from securing the testimonials required for their deserved circulation. So the publishers felt obliged to expunge many important facts of history because they were not flattering to Roman Catholic polity. The foregoing facts are cited as factors in the explanation of certain proceedings at the session of the Grand Council of the Young Men's Institute recently held in Santa Cruz, Cal. A press dispatch makes the following statement concerning the matter to which we refer:— A resolution was adopted regarding certain articles in "Appleton's Universal Cyclopedia and Atlas," which were declared libelous and otherwise offensive to the Catholic Church. The grand council resolved that a memorial be prepared and signed by the grand president and grand secretary in behalf of the 4,300 members of the Pacific Grand Council jurisdiction, and forwarded to the Appleton Publishing Company, requesting that proper revision of the articles be made immediately, and suggesting that only Catholic societies be allowed to deal with subjects pertaining to the Catholic faith. It was recommended that every member of the Pacific Grand Council jurisdiction refuse to buy or in any way advance the sale of this work until the revision requested be made. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to every Catholic organization in California. When it shall have come to pass that the history of the Catholic Church consists only of what her votaries would like to have said about her, there will be little chance for the student of history to discern the fulfilment of prophecy. To write history in a manner that would be pleasing to the individuals or combinations of any character—religious, financial, or political—would be to take from historical records a large part of their value as sources of true education. But Rome is making her influence felt in this particular line, as in many others, as far as her own history is concerned. She has a long backward trail that she would fain cover up. The regaining of her ancient power is largely dependent upon this policy.