ir>U‘S'A,‘Ant;-&Vh' bz f'h^> 'Tit A Kindly Message from the Catholic Truth Society Why not peace, good will among all men? For though Catholics and Protestants differ in religion, cannot they live amicably with one another? Do not the teachings of Christ so dictate? Why then this hatred which when it exists is not the fault of Catholics; they are not making religion an issue in social, business or political life unless abso- lutely forced by the unjust methods of their enemies. Much less do Catholics foster movements that cause men to hate those whose religious convictions differ from their own ; never have Catholic laymen or priests used the press or platform against Protestants to falsify their religious beliefs, to defame their personal character. But this is what practically every anti-Catholic lecturer is doing. Even churches are often used for that unholy purpose. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln warned Americans against religious intolerance; and in March, 1922, the late President Harding declared that the most unpleasant experience he had in office was his contact with it. Nor was he here referring to Catholics, who if at all, molested him but little. It was anti-Catholic intolerance to which he referred. The fact is that Catholics are taught to love their neighbor, to assume that those who differ from them in religion are in good faith, and to let Almighty God judge concerning their disposi- tions for salvation. This is the Catholic com ept of Christianity and Americanism. Indeed, is it not a poor commentary on any brand of Christianity that it promotes dissension by means that are intrinsically evil. Cannot our opponents realize that for true Americans tolerance in religion is always a primary virtue? Elementary justice also requires this. America was discovered by a Catholic, was first settled by Cath- olics ; many of its explorers were not only Catholics, but priests, of whom there are numerous monumental traces to this day. Catholics set the first example of religious toleration in the colony of Maryland in 1650, when they incorporated religious freedom among the provisions of its Constitution. Today the constitution of the United States, and those of different states of the Union, place all religions on an equal footing. Therefore they are not real Americans who would destroy this equality. Why should honest, sincere Protestants permit a few designing politicians and money-filchers to make you hate your neighbor unjustly? Why not have peace, good will toward all? Why not be friends and brethren as the Master would have us be? (Write for further information and FREE literature on any subject to Catholic Truth Society, 304 McKay building, Portland, Oregon.) OeatWeJ WHAT WOULD YOU DO ? If you had been accused of monopolizing the political machinery of the state, whereas investigation showed the guilt on the side of your accusers ? If a campaign of the most atrocious falsehoods had been directed against your patriotism, your morality, your integrity? If the character of your dearest ones, daughters, sisters and others, had been blackened beyond restoration, by unspeakable mendacities? If those whom you know would sacrifice their life for you, did circumstances demand, were assailed with inhuman calumnies? If scurrilous immoral sheets railed against you and yours in language that Satan would blush to use? If foul-mouthed men and shameless women were turned loose upon the public, from rostrums which your tax-monies helped to build, and paid to slander and to vilify you? If those bereft of conscience had reviled you and persecuted you and said all manner of evil against you falsely (Matt. 5-11), be frank, kind reader, and fair, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Your Catholic neighbors in America have suffered these and greater wrongs. What is more, today the same iniquitous forces are at work falsifying, assailing, deceiving, every word a dagger thrust into the heart of justice. If YOU were thus outraged, what would YOU do? OUR METHOD With malice towards none and charity for all, we aim to present plain, simple facts about Catholic ideals and citizenship, that by educa- tion the barriers of hatred and prejudice may be removed and unity promoted, a unity so necessary for our citizens in their pursuit of life, prosperity and happiness. (Write for further information and FREE literature on any subject to Catholic Truth Society, 304 McKay building, Portland, Oregon.) What the So-called “Religious Issue” Involves 2 In treating this subject most writers and speakers have missed the point entirely. In this “religious issue” they pretend to see a quarrel or controversy in which both sides are to blame. But only ignorance or a will to deceive can account for such a diagnosis. Catholics are involved in this religious issue because' certain persons have defamed our character, reviled our loved ones, questioned our patriotism, denied our fitness for American citizenship. But only on the infinitely absurd supposition that our religion makes us immoral, disloyal, dishonest, could such an infamous campaign be vindicated. Hence in reality the so-called “religious issue” involves these questions: Shall Catholic citizens who have aided so mightily to found and to perpetuate American liberties, who have always been and are at all times ready to shed their blood for free America—shall they be belied, defamed, insulted, and denied their inalienable and constitutional rights? Shall millions of Catholic citizens be victims of pharasaical anger from open or veiled foes, because groups of Catholics have some times mildly defended themselves by honorable and legitimate means? Shall the Church be subjected to a new torrent of abuse every time an individual Catholic sees fit to aspire to some political office great or small? Since when is there a constitutional religious test for public office which makes Catholics “politically proscribed?” PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND WRITERS AT FAULT If this were a question of doctrinal differences concerning religious beliefs, then neutrality on the part of those who direct public opinion might in good faith be justified. But it is solely a question of elemen- tary decency: Millions of the best citizens America has had or can have, have been systematically wronged ; their character besmirched, their feelings outraged ; and there is no law to stop it. Meanwhile, our public servants and writers are too engrossed in the emoluments of their office or the receipts of their business, to do their duty to keep America unified instead of a mass of clashing elements. Hence if there should be a division of blame for present-day dissensions— a notable part thereof accrues to themselves. For had they been faithful to their trust of directing public opinion along proper channels, then present unhealthy conditions would never have come to pass. (Write for further information and FREE literature on any subject to Catholic Truth Society, 304 McKay building, Portland, Oregon.) Why Not Be Friends and Brethren 1 Catholics and Protestants together settled America, which Catholic mariners had discovered, and which countless Catholic missionaries explored and baptized in their blood. Together they felled the forests, drained the swamps and plowed the land. Together they fought the battles of the Revolution, finally snatched from failure by Catholic France, Poland, Spain, who sent thousands of men and millions of money to aid the struggling colonies. Side by side, they stood when life and liberty were at stake. Why should they NOW suffer design- ing men to betray them into hatred for each other? Why? When America was convulsed with Civil War, Catholics and Prot- estants stood shoulder to shoulder. Together they marched, fought, endured, died, and now their dust lies mingled upon every battlefield. Who will deny to Catholic generals like Sheridan, Mulligan, Buell, Shields and Rosecrans the same undying glory merited by non-Catholic comrades? Shall the sacred ties welded in war be destroyed in peace, through the intolerance and cupidity of a few? The American constitution, the constitution of our various states, all guarantee liberty of worship, belief, even of religious opinion. Already grossly violated by the maligners of Catholic citizenship, these foes of national peace and concord, would entirely destroy these sacred rights if possible. Why cannot Protestants and Catholics live at peace, in Christian harmony and friendship. It is to maintain, to restore this brotherhood that THE CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY IS ORGANIZED. With no selfish ends to attain, with no political ax to grind, it has hatred for none and charity for all. Its one object is to furnish sincere persons opportunities of knowing the facts, not to make Catholics but better citizens of them; nothing is so disastrous as discord, nothing is so beneficial as concord among a free people. (Write for further information and FREE literature on any subject to Catholic Truth Society, 304 McKay building, Portland, Oregon.)