GOOD WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT.
By Editor
IN the present contention and discussion in this country over civil and religious liberty, it is worth while to read the following, which we take from the message of President Roosevelt, sent to Congress December 3: "Not only must we treat all nations fairly, but we must treat with justice and good-will all immigrants who come here under the law. Whether they are Catholic or Protestant, Jew or Gentile; whether they come from England or Germany, Russia, Japan, or Italy, matters nothing. All we have a right to question is the man's conduct. If he is honest and upright in his dealings with his neighbor and with the state, then he is entitled to respect and good treatment. Especially do we need to remember our duty to the stranger within our gates. It is the sure mark of a low civilization, a low morality, to abuse or discriminate against, or in any way humiliate, such stranger who has come here lawfully and who is conducting himself properly. To remember this is incumbent on every American citizen, and it is, of course, peculiarly incumbent on every government official, whether of the nation or of the several states." We wonder if our esteemed President is taking note of the efforts, oftentimes strenuous and successful, which misled religious zealots are putting forth in various parts of America at the present time, not for the purpose of restricting foreigners, but good citizens of this country, in the matter of religious observances. The President truly says: "If he [the man] is honest and upright in his dealings with his neighbor and with the state, then he is entitled to respect and good treatment." No government on the face of the earth has any right to regulate or attempt to regulate man's duty toward his God or any religion which he professes or does not profess. The President's words mean absolute religious liberty unless he put the state in the place of God, or treat citizens of this country with less consideration than foreigners.