catholics in america · catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented catholics from...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page1CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source1
WhoHadReligiousFreedomintheFoundingEra?
Part1:ColonizationandCatholicismInAmerica’s“CreationStory,”thePilgrimscametothenewworldforreligiousfreedom.Othersfollowedorspreadoutfromtheoriginalsettlementandestablishedmorecolonieswherecolonistscouldfreelypracticetheirreligions.EventuallythirteencoloniesrevoltedagainstpayingtaxesleviedbyaParliamentinwhichtheyhadnorepresentatives.Afterdeclaringandwinningtheirindependence,theyformedagovernmentbasedonaConstitutionthatrequiresnoreligioustestforholdingofficeandaddedaBillofRightsthatguaranteesreligiousfreedom.Allofthestatementsabovearetrue,butasinmostshortstories,somuchisleftoutthatthereaderorlistenercanmakeaseriesofincorrectinferences.Ifweadddetailstothisnarrative,specificallyaboutCatholicsinAmerica,wegetaratherdifferentstory.AmericancolonizationinwhatwouldbecometheNewEnglandStates,beginningwiththearrivalofthePuritansin1620,wastheresultofforcesunleashedin1517intheProtestantReformation.Formorethanacenturythisreligiousmovementinvolvedpersecutors,persecuted,andmartyrsandanever-increasingnumberofreligiousgroups.Somehistoriansentitlethisera“TheAgeofFaith”becausereligiousfeelingsweresostrongthatpeoplesacrificedandweresacrificedfortheirreligiousbeliefs.Inthis“AgeofFaith”therecouldbenocompromisingonone’sreligiousbeliefs.Todosocompromisedyourlife,yourdeath,andyoureternity.TheProtestantReformationwasaprotestagainsttheCatholicChurch.ThecolonistswhocametoBritishNorthAmericawereProtestants,peoplewhoseoriginswereinthisprotest.Someofthethirteencoloniesweresettledbydissenters—peoplewhorefusedtoregardCatholicsasareligiouspeopleworthyofnote.TheCatholicChurchwasviewedasafraudulentfaith.Itwaslabeled“theWhore”becauseithadprostituteditselfbytakingmoneyfrombelieversbuyingsalvation.ItsmemberswereviewedasnotChristiansbutPapists,because,asthereasoningwent,theyhadsubstitutedloyaltyandobediencetothePopeforloyaltyandobediencetoGod.ThesebeliefswerefirmlyheldbytheProtestantswhosettledAmerica.CatholicswerenotallowedtovoteorholdofficeinmostoftheoriginalEnglishcolonies.ThePuritanscameforreligiousfreedomforthemselves.Theyestablishedatheocracyrunof,by,andforPuritans.TheybelievedthatthepresenceofCatholics,aswellasAnglicansandQuakers,wouldtaintthepurityoftheirreligion.WiththeexceptionofRhodeIsland,allthecolonieshadestablishedchurchesthatwereProtestant.InNewEnglandtheestablishedchurchwasthePuritan,soontobecalltheCongregational.Inothercoloniestheestablished
![Page 2: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page2CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source1(continued)
churchwasusuallytheAnglicanChurch(ChurchofEngland).AlldiscriminatedblatantlyagainstCatholics.OnlythreeofthethirteencoloniesallowedCatholicstovote.MostoftheNewEnglandcoloniesandtheCarolinasprohibitedCatholicsfromholdingoffice;Virginiawouldhavepriestsarrestedforenteringthecolony;CatholicschoolswerebannedinallcoloniesexceptPennsylvania.Marylandstartedoutastheexception.EstablishedbyanEnglishCatholic,CecilCalvert(LordBaltimore),itwastobeahaven,orsafeplace,foraCatholicminoritywithprotectionsfromtheProtestantmajorityguaranteedbyTheActConcerningReligion,passedbytheMarylandlegislaturein1649.ButMarylandsoonbecameaclassicexampleofthe“tyrannyofthemajority.”WhenProtestantsoutnumberedCatholicsthirty-to-one,lawswerepassedthatpreventedCatholicsfrominheritingorpurchasingland,imprisonedpriestsforlife,prohibitedCatholicworship,anddeniedCatholicstherighttovote.In1715theMarylandlegislaturerequiredchildrenofaProtestantfatherandaCatholicmothertobetakenawayfromthemotherifthefatherdied.OfficeholdershadtoswearallegiancetotheChurchofEngland.SomuchforasafehavenforCatholics.PhiladelphiahadtheonlyCatholicChurchthatwasprotectedbyacolonialgovernmentinallthecolonies.ItwasherethatJohnAdamsattendedaCatholicmassatSt.Mary’sChurchwhileamemberoftheContinentalCongress.HisattendancewasnotindicativeoftolerationfortheCatholicfaith,butaresultofhisreligiouscuriosity.In1765hehadwrittenthatthe“whoreofBabylon”hadfalselygrabbedthe“keystoheaven”andsurvivedbykeepingsubjectsin“sordidignoranceandstaringtimidity.”Afterattendingmassin1774hedescribedhisimpressionstohiswife,Abigail:
“Thepoorwretchesfingeringtheirbeads,chantingLatin,notawordofwhichtheyunderstood.TheirholyWater—theirCrossingthemselvesperpetually—theirBowingtotheNameofJesus,wherevertheyhearit—theirBowings,andKneelings,andGenuflectionsbeforetheAltar….ButhowshallIdescribethePictureofourSaviourinaFrameofMarbleovertheAltaratfullLengthupontheCross,intheAgonies,andtheBlooddroppingandstreamingfromhisWounds...HereiseverythingwhichcanlayholdoftheEye,Ear,andImagination.EveryThingwhichcancharmandbewitchthesimpleandignorant.”
JohnAdams,likehiscousinSamuel,wasrearedasaPuritan.PuritanshadrevoltedagainsttheAnglicanChurchbecauseitwastoomuchliketheCatholic.ToPuritans,Catholicismwastyranny;itwasanenemytoright-thinkingProtestantsandtodemocracyaswell.
![Page 3: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page3CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source1(continued)Part2:TheAmericanRevolutionandAnti-CatholicSentimentBythetimeoftheAmericanRevolution,therewereawidevarietyofProtestantchurchesinthecolonies—Presbyterians,Lutherans,Mennonites,Moravians,Baptists,Methodists,Quakers.Colonistscelebrated“PopeDay,”anannualfestivalinwhicheffigiesofthePopewereburnedandspeechesmadeandnewspaperarticleswrittenattestingtotheeviloftheCatholicChurch.WhiletheAmerican“creationstory”typicallyfocusesoneconomicandpoliticalcausesfortheAmericanRevolution,therewereconsumingreligiousissuesaswell.LeadersoftheRevolutionusedreligiouslanguageandfearofBritishmeddlinginthereligiouspracticesinAmericatoarousethecommonpeople.SamAdamsisaprimeexample.IntheBostonGazetteofApril11,1768,Adams,writingas“APuritan,”portrayedthethreatofCatholicismbeingimposedonAmericaasworseeventhantheStampAct.Hewrote:
muchmoreistobedreadedfromthegrowthofPOPERYinAmerica,thanfromStampActsoranyotherActsdestructiveofmen’scivilrights:Nay,IcouldnothelpfancyingthattheStamp-Actitselfwascontrivedonlytoinurethepeopletothehabitofcontemplatingthemselvesastheslavesofmen;andthetransitionfromthencetoasubjectiontoSatan,ismightyeasy.”
InaletterSamAdamswroteonJanuary12,1768,hewroteof“theconqueredprovinceofCanada,wheretheexerciseoftheRomishreligion,sodestructivetocivilsociety,isallowed.”FearofhavingtheCatholicreligionimposedontheAmericancoloniesintensifiedwhenParliamentpassedtheQuebecActin1774.HavingtakencontrolofCanadafromCatholicFranceintheTreatyofParisof1763attheendoftheFrenchandIndianWar,ParliamentdecidedtoaccordreligiousfreedomtotheCatholicslivinginQuebec,allowingtheCatholicChurchtoremaintheestablishedchurch.WhilethismayhaveappearedtobeanactofreligioustolerationbytheAnglicanParliament,totheAmericancolonistsitappearedasyetanotherthreattotheirliberties.InSeptember1774,SamAdams’closefriendDr.JosephWarren,wroteTheSuffolkResolves.TheywerequicklycarriedtoPhiladelphiabyPaulRevereandpresentedtotheContinentalCongress:
Great-Britain,whichofoldpersecuted,scourged,andexiledourfugitiveparentsfromtheirnativeshores,nowpursuesus,theirguiltlesschildren,withunrelentingseverity...ItisanindispensabledutywhichweowetoGod,ourcountry,ourselvesandposterity,byalllawfulwaysandmeansinourpowertomaintain,defend,andpreservethosecivilandreligiousrightsandliberties,for
![Page 4: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page4CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
whichmanyofourfathersfought,bledanddied,andtohandthemdownentiretofuturegenerations.
Source1(continued)MakingreferencetotheQuebecAct,TheSuffolkResolvescontinued:
thelateactofparliamentforestablishingtheRomanCatholicreligionandtheFrenchlawsinthatextensivecountry,nowcalledCanada,isdangerousinanextremedegreetotheProtestantreligionandtothecivilrightsandlibertiesofallAmerica;and,therefore,asmenandProtestantChristians,weareindispensablyobligedtotakeallpropermeasuresforoursecurity.
TheSuffolkResolveswereapprovedandpublishedbytheContinentalCongress.TherewasnoseriousevidencethattheQuebecActposedarealdangertotheAmericancolonies,butrevolutionsarebuiltonemotion,perhapsmoresothanonreason.Thecolonists,intheirdistrustofKingandParliament,believedthatEnglandwouldusereligionasaninstrumentoftyranny.TheFirstContinentalCongresschargedthattheQuebecActwouldcauseCanadianCatholics“toactwithhostilityagainstthefreeProtestantcolonies,wheneverawickedMinistryshallchoosetodirectthem.”HatredandfearofCatholicswassowidespreadthatRogerShermanandothermembersoftheContinentalCongresswantedtoprohibitCatholicsfromservingintheContinentalarmy.ThePennsylvaniaGazettesaidthattheQuebecActwouldallow“thesedogsofHell”to“erecttheirHeadsandtriumphwithinourBorders.”TheBostonEveningPostwrotethattheactwas“fortheexecutionofthishellishplan”toorganizefourthousandCanadianCatholicsforanattackonAmerica.InRhodeIsland,everysingleissueoftheNewportMercuryfromOctober1,1774toMarch20,1775,containedatleastoneattackontheCatholicreligionoftheCanadians.Protestantclergyfannedtheflames.AlexanderHamiltonjudgedtheQuebecActadiabolicalthreat,asking,“DoesnotyourbloodruncoldtothinkthatanEnglishParliamentshouldpassanActfortheestablishmentofarbitrarypowerandPoperyinsuchanextensivecountry?Yourlives,yourproperty,yourreligionareallatstake.”OnOctober21,1774,theContinentalCongresssentanappeal“tothePeopleofGreatBritain,”expressingshockthatParliamentwouldpromoteareligionthat“disbursedimpiety,bigotry,persecution,murderandrebellionsthrougheverypartoftheworld.”OnFriday,October14,1774,SamAdamswasappointedtoathree-membercommitteetowritealettertoGeneralThomasGage.Theyweretoenumeratetheviolationsoftherightsofthecolonies.AmongthegrievanceslistedwastheQuebecAct,which,thereportsaid,was“notonlyunjusttothepeopleinthatProvince,butdangeroustotheinterestsoftheProtestantreligionandoftheseColonies,andoughttoberepealed.”InapetitionsentbyCongressonOctober26forBenjaminFranklintopresenttoKingGeorgeIII,AmericanscomplainedoftheQuebecAct’s“establishinganabsolutegovernmentandtheRomanCatholickreligionthroughoutthosevastregions,thatborderonthewesterlyandnortherlyboundariesof
![Page 5: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page5CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
thefreeprotestantEnglishsettlements.”Thecolonistswereconvincedthatpoliticalandreligiouslibertywereconnected.
Source1(continued)Therevolutionaries’scruplesagainsthavinganestablishedCatholicChurchontheirborderdidnotpreventthemfromsendingBenjaminFranklintoFrancetoobtainaidandtrytogainatreatyofalliancewithCatholicFrance.AftertheAmericanvictoryatSaratogain1777,FranklinsucceededinsigningatreatyofalliancewithhisCatholicMajesty,LouisXVI.GeneralBenedictArnoldwastheunsungherooftheAmericanvictoryatSaratoga,butweknowArnoldbestforbeingtheforemosttraitortothePatriotcause.ArnoldjustifiedhistreasonasalegitimateresponsetotheprostitutionoftheAmericancausebytakingmoneyfromandsigninganalliancewithCatholicFrance!JustastheexigenciesofwarresultedinacceptanceofaidfromaCatholiccountry,sotheneedforsoldiersmotivatedGeneralGeorgeWashingtontodemandtolerancetowardCatholicsintheContinentalArmy.Hescoldedtroopscelebrating“PopeDay”inCambridge,Massachusetts,callingita“ridiculousandchildishcustom.”Possiblyasaresultofhisexample,thepracticeofburningeffigiesofthePopeandnewspaperattacksonCatholicsdecreased.WashingtonalsodiscouragedCatholic-bashing,seeingtheimportanceofnotantagonizingCatholicCanadiansonthecountry’snorthernborder.SomeGermanCatholicsbenefitedfromtheContinentalCongress’seffortstoenticeHessianmercenariestodesertfromtheBritisharmy.Theywereabletogaincitizenship,fiftyacresoflandANDreligiousfreedomiftheydidso.TheofferappliedtoallHessians,ProtestantorCatholic.Part3:CatholicsintheNewCountryTherewasoneCatholicdelegateintheContinentalCongress.CharlesCarrollsignedtheDeclarationofIndependenceandlaterwrote,“WhenIsignedtheDeclarationofIndependence,Ihadinview,notonlyourindependencefromEngland;butthetolerationofallsectsprofessingtheChristianreligion,andcommunicatingtothemallequalrights.”Carroll’shopeswerenotrealized.Asthestateswrotetheirconstitutions,onlyNewYorkandVirginiaallowedmentoserveinstategovernmentregardlessoftheirreligiousbeliefs.NewJersey,Vermont,NorthCarolina,Maryland,andGeorgiaretainedtheirbansonCatholicsholdingoffice.Manyofthestates,suchatConnecticutandMassachusetts,usedtaxestosupporttheestablishedchurch.TheConstitutiondidallowCatholicstoholdnationalofficebecause,intheonlyreferencetoreligionintheU.S.Constitution,therecouldbe“noreligious”testforofficeholding.In1791theBillofRightswasratifiedandbecamepartoftheConstitution.TheFirstAmendmentguaranteedfreedomofreligionbutthisguaranteedidnotapplytostategovernmentsuntil1940!IncasesdecidedbytheU.S.SupremeCourtin1940and1947itwasruledthattheFourteenthAmendmenttotheConstitution(1877)“incorporated”
![Page 6: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page6CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
theguaranteeofreligiousfreedomasonetobeprotectedbythefederalgovernmentagainstviolationbystategovernments.
![Page 7: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page7CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source1(continued)Part4:BeliefsoftheFounders
Intooldage,JohnAdamsstillbelievedthatCatholicismanddemocracywereincompatible.JohnAdamssharedhisthoughtswithJeffersonintwolettersoftheirretirementcorrespondence.JohnAdamstoThomasJefferson
QuincyJuly16,1814
...cabballisticalChristianitywhichisCatholicChristianity,andwhichhasprevailedfor1500Years,hasrec’d.amortalWoundofwhichtheMonstermustfinallydie;YetsostrongishisconstitutionthathemayendureforCenturiesbeforeheexpires....
JohnAdamstoThomasJefferson
Montezillo*February3d.1821
IhavelongbeendecidedinopinionthatafreegovernmentandtheRomanCatholickreligioncanneverexisttogetherinanynationorCountry,andconsequentlythatallprojectsforreconcilingtheminoldSpainornewareEutopian,PlatonickandChimerical.IhaveseensuchaprostrationandprostitutionofHumanNaturetothePriesthoodinoldSpainassettledmyjudgmentlongago.
PresidentWashington,ontheotherhand,expressedamoretolerantattitude.WhenAmericanCatholicswrotehimaskingfor“theequalrightsofcitizenship,asthepriceofourbloodspiltunderyoureyes,”Washingtonagreed,replying:“Asmankindbecomesmoreliberal,theywillbeapttoallowthatallthosewhoconductthemselvesworthymembersofthecommunityareequallyentitledtotheprotectionofcivilgovernment.”*In1819AdamsbeginsteasingJefferson,wholivedatMonticello[Italianfor“littlemountain”],bywritingfrom“MontezilloAliasthelittleHill.”
![Page 8: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page8CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source:LesterJ.Cappon,ed.,TheAdams-JeffersonLetters
![Page 9: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page9CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source2
CopiedbyPaulReverefortheRoyalAmericanMagazine,October1774.
©TrusteesoftheBritishMuseum.Usedwithpermission.
![Page 10: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page10CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source3
UrsulineConventFire,Charlestown,MA,1834
Imagelocatedat:http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/know-nothing-party-takes-root-in-ashes-of-destroyed-charlestown-convent/
![Page 11: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page11CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source4
AnAnti-CatholicpetitionfromNewYorknativiststotheU.S.Congress,1837TotheHonorabletheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStates,inCongressAssembled:“...TheeasyaccessofforeignerstotheelectivefranchiseintheUnitedStates,bythepresentlawsofnaturalization,andofforeignersofdoubtfulmoralsandhostilepoliticalprinciples,isasourceofdangertoourcivilandreligiousliberties,towhichyourMemorialistswouldhumblyandearnestlyinvitethespeedyattentionofCongress.”“...Ifwecherishcivilandreligiouslibertiesandesteemthemaboveallprice,wehavearighttodefendthemfromforeigninvasion;whetheritapproachbyopenwarfare,orinsidiouslybyobtainingtheprivilegeofcitizenship.”“...YourMemorialistsviewwithdeepconcernthegreatinfluxofRomanCatholicsintothiscountryfromthevariousnationsofEurope,andtheiradmissiontocitizenshipwhiletheyretaintheirprinciples,aseminentlythreateningourcivilandreligiousliberties.”“...Ourconstitutionhappilyallowsthefreetolerationofallreligions;itisforthistolerationthatwepleadagainstareligionwhichrefusesit.”“...YourMemorialists,unwillingtoencroachfurtheronyourpatience,earnestlypetitionyourhonorablebodytoinquirewhethertheprinciplesofRomanCatholics,asheldatpresentaswellasformerly,arenotpoliticalandhostiletocivilandreligiousliberty;andwhethertheirreligionisnotessentiallypolitical,requiringtheunionofChurchandState,andthesubjectionofthelattertotheformer;andwhetheritdoesnotrequireallegiancetothePopeofRome,holdingtheobligationtoobeyhim,asparamount....?”“...[petitionyourhonorablebodytoinquire]whetheranyamendmentofthelawsofnaturalizationcanmorefullysecureourfreeinstitutions,ourliberties,civilandreligious,againstthedangerofsubversionbyforeigninfluenceanddespotictyrannicalprinciples,evenunderthecloakofreligion.Allwhichisrespectfullysubmitted....” Ninety-sevensignaturesfollowed.NationalArchives,Washington,DC.
![Page 12: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page12CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source5
Immigration,Politics,andthe“Know-Nothing”PartyItsoundslikeajoke,butthe“Know-Nothing”Partywasanythingbut.Americanswhoopposedcontinuedimmigration,particularlyimmigrationfromCatholiccountries,begantogatherinsecretsocietiestoopposeimmigration,immigrants,andCatholics.Whentheywereaskedfordetailsabouttheirgroups,theyresponded,“Iknownothing,”hencethenickname.TheburningoftheUrsulineConventinCharlestown,Massachusettsisnottheonlysuchactofviolence.InJuly1844therewereriotsinPhiladelphiainwhichNativistsfoughtIrishimmigrants,andtwoCatholicchurchesandaCatholicschoolwereburned.Atleasttwentypeoplewerekilledintheseriots.InNewYorkCityin1844,anti-Catholicmobsparadedthroughthestreets.TheArchbishopcalledontheIrishtodefendtheoriginalSt.Patrick’sCathedralonMottStreet.TheIrishwererumoredtobeheavilyarmedandthemobsdispersed.NoCatholicchurcheswereburnedinNewYork.ThenativistsemergedfromsecrecyandfoundedtheAmericanPartyin1849.TheyadvertisedtheidealAmerican,awhite,Anglo-Saxonyoungman.Theycontinuedthepressureofearlierpetitionerstochangethenaturalizationlawssothatitwouldtaketwenty-fiveyearstobecomeacitizen.AnAmericanPartydocumentstated:
theobjectofthisorganizationshallbetoprotecteveryAmericancitizeninthelegalandproperexerciseofallhiscivilandreligiousrightsandprivileges;toresisttheinsidious[evil]policyoftheChurchofRomeandallotherforeigninfluenceagainstourrepublicaninstitutionsinalllawfulways;toplaceinallofficesofhonor,trust,orprofit,inthegiftofthepeoplebyappointment,nonebutnaïvebornProtestantcitizensandtoprotect,preserve,andupholdtheUnionoftheseStatesandtheConstitutionofthesame.
TheAmericanPartyrancandidatesforofficein1854andhadsomesuccessinlocalelectionsinthenortheast.In1856formerpresidentMillardFillmoreranastheAmericanParty(Know-Nothing)candidateforpresident.HelostbadlytoJamesBuchanan.FillmorehadbeenaWhig.ManymembersoftheoldWhigpartyhadgravitatedtotheAmericanParty.OnenotableWhigwhodidnotjointhenativistswasAbrahamLincoln.Whenaskedin1855ifhehadbecomeaKnow-Nothing,LincolnofferedthefollowingreplyinanAugust24lettertoJoshuaSpeed:
IamnotaKnow-Nothing.Thatiscertain.HowcouldIbe?Howcananyonewhoabhorstheoppressionofnegroes,beinfavorofdegradingclassesofwhitepeople?Ourprogressindegeneracyappearstometobeprettyrapid.Asanation,webeganbydeclaringthat,“allmenarecreatedequal.”Wenowpracticallyreadit“allmenarecreatedequal,exceptNegroes.”WhentheKnow-Nothingsgetcontrol,itwillread,“allmenarecreatedequal,exceptNegroesandforeignersandCatholics.”Whenitcomestothis,Ishallpreferemigratingtosomecountrywheretheymakenopretenseoflovingliberty–toRussia,forinstance,wheredespotismcanbetakenpureandwithoutthebaseallowofhypocrisy.
![Page 13: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page13CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source6
ThomasNast,Harper’sWeekly,May8,1875Source:http://www.harpweek.com/09cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon.asp?Month=May&Date=8
![Page 14: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page14CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source7
UlyssesS.GrantSpeechBeforetheConventionoftheSocietyoftheArmyoftheTennessee,
MeetinginDesMoines,Iowa.DeliveredSeptember30,1875
AsreprintedintheNewYorkTribune,October1,1875
Now,thecentennialyearofournationalexistence,Ibelieve,isagoodtimetobegintheworkofstrengtheningthefoundationsofthestructurecommencedbyourpatrioticforefathersonehundredyearsagoatLexington.Letusalllabortoaddallneedfulguaranteesforthesecurityoffreethought,freespeech,afreepress,puremorals,unfetteredreligioussentiments,andofequalrightsandprivilegestoallmenirrespectiveofnationality,color,orreligion.Encouragefreeschools,andresolvethatnotonedollar,appropriatedfortheirsupport,shallbeappropriatedtothesupportofanysectarianschools.ResolvethatneithertheStatenorNation,norbothcombinedshallsupportinstitutionsoflearningotherthanthosesufficienttoaffordtoeverychildgrowingupinthelandtheopportunityofagoodcommonschooleducation,unmixedwithsectarian,pagan,oratheisticaldogmas.Leavethematterofreligiontothefamilyaltar,theChurch,andtheprivateschool,supportedentirelybyprivatecontributions.KeeptheChurchandStateforeverseparate.Withthesesafeguards,IbelievethebattleswhichcreatedtheArmyoftheTennesseewillnothavebeenfoughtinvain.Source:http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1875-10-01/ed-1/seq-1/
![Page 15: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page15CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source8
PresidentU.S.GrantandtheCommonSchoolsIssue:YouBetheJudgeOnSeptember30,1875,PresidentU.S.GrantdeliveredaSpeechbeforetheconventionoftheSocietyoftheArmyoftheTennesseemeetinginDesMoines,Iowa.PrintedbelowaresecondarysourceaccountsofGrant’saction.TheauthorsofferdifferentinterpretationsofGrant’sspeech.Readandsummarizethepointofviewofeachauthorandwriteaparagraphinwhichyoutakeapositionanduseevidencefromthereadings. InterpretationA:
Sensinganopportunityintheanti-Catholicsentimentoftheday,PresidentGrantwenttoDesMoinesintheautumnof1875andcalledfornewconstitutionalactiontopreventaidtoparochialschools.“Ifwearetohaveanothercontestinthenearfutureofournationalexistence,IpredictthatthedividinglinewillnotbeMasonandDixon’s,butitwillbebetweenpatriotismandintelligenceononeside,andsuperstition,ambitionandignoranceontheother.Encouragefreeschools,andresolvethatnotonedollarappropriatedtothemshallbeappliedtothesupportofanysectarianschool....Leavethematterofreligiontothefamilyaltar,thechurch,andtheprivateschool,supportedentirelyprivatecontribution.KeeptheChurchandStateforeverseparate.”
JonMeacham,AmericanGospel:God,theFoundingFathers,andtheMakingofaNation(NewYork:RandomHouseTradePaperbacks,2006).InterpretationB:
AthirdareainwhichGrantdefendedprincipleinvolvedtheseparationofchurchandstate.Theissuehadtwodimensions:publicfundingforsectarianeducation,andreligiousexercisesinpublicschools.ThequestionpittedProtestantsagainstCatholics,andGrantsteppedsquarelyinbetween....WhyGrantwadedintothedisputehasneverbeenadequatelyexplained.ButonSeptember30,1875,withoutwarningorpreliminarybuildup,thepresidentoftheUnitedStatesgavebothProtestantsandCatholicsasternlectureonreligioustoleranceandtheseparationofchurchandstate.Grantcrystallizedtheissue,capturedthepublic’sattention,andredirectedthedebate.SpeakingtotheveteransoftheArmyoftheTennessee,asettinginwhichhethrived,Grantmadethemostemotionalspeechofhiscareer.
Forthepresident,freepubliceducationlayattherootofthenation’sliberty,andwithremarkableevenhandednesshebeltedProtestantsandCatholicsalike:providenoaidforparochialeducation,butkeepreligionoutoftheclassroom.“ResolvethatneithertheStatenorthenationshallsupport
![Page 16: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page16CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
institutionsoflearningotherthanthosesufficienttoaffordtoeverychildtheopportunityofagoodcommon-schooleducation,unmixedwithsectarian,pagan,oratheisticdogmas.Leavethe
Source8(continued)
matterofreligiontothefamilyaltar,thechurch,andtheprivateschoolsupportedentirelybyprivatecontributions.Keepthechurchandstateforeverseparate.”
Grant’sunexpectedinterventionintheschoolquestionreverberatedacrossthecountry.TheNewYorkTimesandtheNewYorkTribunejoinedinpraisingthewisdomofthepresident’swords.TheChicagoTribunesaidthespeech“setthenationagog....Mostimportant,perhaps,thepresident’sdemandfortheseparationofchurchandstatetookthewindfrommilitantProtestantsadvocatingapro-religionamendmenttotheConstitution.
Grant’sinterventionintheschoolquestioncausedeachsidetodrawback.Hisemphasisonfreepubliceducationgalvanizedthemovementforeducationreform.Hisemphasisonseparationofchurchandstatemoderatedthedebate.”
JeanEdwardSmith,Grant(NewYork:Simon&Schuster,2001).
![Page 17: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page17CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source9
ACatholicforPresident!–TheElectionof1928“ThelargenumbersofCatholicswhopouredintoAmericafromeasternandsouthernEuropeduringthelatenineteenthandearlytwentiethcenturiesgaverisetoanewpoliticalbattleovertheplaceofreligioninAmerica.ThecentralquestionwaswhetherAmericanProtestantvoterswouldentrustthenation’shighestofficetoaCatholic.ForthePuritanFathers,Catholicshadnoplaceinthe“CityuponaHill,”anexclusionthatmany,ifnotmost,Protestantscontinuedtoapplaud.AndwhiletheFoundingFathers’banonreligioustestshadmadeCatholicseligibleforthepresidency,onlyProtestantshadbeenelected.Supportingbygrowingnumbersoftheircoreligionists,CatholicsinthetwentiethcenturymadeseriousrunsfortheWhiteHouse.Twice,Catholicswontheirparty’snomination,andbothtimestheirreligionbecameacentralcampaignissue.Opponentsofthe1928DemocraticnomineehelpeddefeatAlfredE.SmithbyraisinghisCatholicismasascaretactic,implyingthathisloyaltywastothepope,nottothepeopleofAmerica.”FrankLambert,TheFoundingFathersandthePlaceofReligioninAmerica(Princeton:PrincetonUniversityPress,2003).
TheKuKluxKlanbecameactivelyinvolvedintheelectionof1928inanefforttopreventaCatholicfrombecomingpresident.Oneleaderproclaimed,“WenowfacethedarkesthourinAmericanhistory.InaconventionruledbypoliticalRomanism,anti-Christhaswon?”
![Page 18: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
! !!
!!"#$%&'()*'+*,-./'("*
!
!"#$%!&g!'#()*+,-.!,/!01%2,-#!
'*342,$)(!56&78!9':;!
Q2*1!()%!9%A!h*2M!?(#(%!],G2#248!Z#/D.-2,3(.!#/B!?3%-,#+!'*++%-(,*/.!!
0%1/(.*2\**
!!!!
![Page 19: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
! !!
!!"#$%&'()*'+*,-./'("*
!
!"#$%!&`!'#()*+,-.!,/!01%2,-#!
'*342,$)(!56&78!9':;!
Q2*1!()%!9%A!h*2M!?(#(%!],G2#248!Z#/D.-2,3(.!#/B!?3%-,#+!'*++%-(,*/.!!!
0%1/(.*22*!
2_@G*R/.)'5.+#'"&*9&.(#'%+*6.)1&#)**
"2%.,B%/(,#+!'#/B,B#(%!
\,-%R"2%.,B%/(,#+!'#/B,B#(%!
"*+,(,-#+!"#2(4!
"*3D+#2!\*(%!
"*3D+#2!\*(%!v!
;+%-(*2#+!\*(%!
;+%-(*2#+!\*(%!v!
:%2G%2(!:**H%2!
')#2+%.!'D2(,.!
L%3DG+,-#/! 5&8_eP85PP! OgE5_v! ___! geE7v!
0+!?1,()! a*.%3)!L*G,/.*/!
f%1*-2#(! &O866P87`g! _6EPgv! gP! &7E_v!
9*21#/!S)*1#.!
a#1%.!Z#D2%2!
?*-,#+,.(! 57O8Oge! EP5v! 6! 6v!
F()%2! RR! RR! `O8e`e! Ee6v! 6! 6v!!
!
![Page 20: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page20CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Mapfromhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1928_Electoral_Map.png
![Page 21: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page21CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source12
Whoarethetwo“Johns”depictedintheCartoon?HowdoesthiscartooncomparetotheAlSmithcartoonfromthe1928election?WhatdothesecartoonssuggestaboutthefearshouldaCatholicbeelectedpresident?Whatinformationismissingfromthiscartoonthatmighthelpyoudetermineitsreliabilityasasource?
![Page 22: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page22CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Reprintedathttp://catholicjournalist.blogspot.com
![Page 23: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page23CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source13
![Page 24: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page24CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
FromTheodoreCaplow,LouisHicks,andBenJ.Wattenberg,eds.,TheFirstMeasuredCentury:AnIllustratedGuidetoTrendsinAmerica,1900-2000(Washington,DC:AEIPress,2001).Usedwithpermission.
![Page 25: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page25CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source14
ACatholicforPresident–theElectionof1960JohnF.KennedymighthavebeentheDemocrat’svice-presidentialcandidatein1956,buthewasCatholic!JamesFarley,chairmanoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteefrom1932to1940andstilloneofthemostimportantpartyleaderstoldpresidentialcandidateAdaliStevenson,“AmericaisnotreadyforaCatholic.”FormerDemocraticPresident,HarryTruman,quicklydismissedtheidea.PowerfulSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives,SamRayburndismissedtheideanotonlybecauseKennedywasCatholicbutalsobecausehedislikedtheSenator.ButKennedydidsucceedingainingtheDemocraticnominationforpresidentin1960.Hislongtimefriend,speechwriter,andspecialcounselobserved,“Thesinglebiggestobstacletohiselectionwashisreligion....Youshouldhaveseenthehatemailthatcamein,bothfromrednecksandfromliberalintellectualswhoshouldhaveknownbetter.”Ascanbeseeninthepoliticalcartoon,“TwoJohns,”AmericanobjectionstoaCatholicpresidentin1960weresimilartothosein1928.Asthecampaignprogressed,Kennedychidedjournalistsfortheirobsessionwithhisreligion.“IthinkthevotersofWisconsinobjectedtobeingcategorizedsimplyaseitherCatholicsorProtestants....Ithinktheyobjectedtobeingaccostedbyreportersoutsideofpoliticalmeetingsandaskedonequestiononly—theirreligion—nottheiroccupationoreducationorphilosophyorincome,onlytheirreligion.”KennedyalsotriedtodealwiththepoliticaldifficultiesresultingfromtheCatholicdoctrineof“PapalInfallibility”withhumor.SpeakingtoagroupofnewspapereditorsinWashington,D.C.,KennedyclaimedtohaverecentlyspokenwiththepowerfulArchbishopofNewYork,FrancisCardinalSpellman.Hejoked,“IsatnexttoCardinalSpellmanatdinnertheotherevening,andaskedhimwhatIshouldsaywhenvotersquestionmeaboutthedoctrineofthepope’sinfallibility.‘Idon’tknow,Senator,’theCardinaltoldme.‘AllIknowishekeepscallingmeSpillman.’”InthepresidentialprimaryelectioninWestVirginia,pollsinDecembershowedKennedyleadingHubertHumphreyfromMinnesota,70%forKennedyand30%forHumphrey.Butinalaterpoll,hissupporthadfallento40%andcomparedto60%forHumphrey.Whenaskedaboutthehugedifference,theKennedycampaignwastold,“ButnooneinWestVirginiaknewyouwereaCatholicinDecember.Nowtheyknow.”Awomaninterviewedproudlyclaimed,“I’mnotprejudiced.Aman’sreligionshouldn’thaveanythingtodowithit.”Butshewentontosay,“ButamanoughttobeagoodCatholicifhe’sgoingtobeone.Andtheybelieveinchurch-and-stateandIdon’t.”AnotherwomanclearlystatedherviewofAmericaanditspolitics,”We’veneverhadaCatholicPresidentandIhopeweneverdo.Ourpeoplebuiltthiscountry.IftheyhadwantedaCatholictobePresident,theywouldhavesaidsointheConstitution.”
WouldKennedybenefitmorefromtheincreasedCatholicvotepossiblein1960ascomparedto1928orlosemorebecauseoftheProtestantanti-CatholicsentimentsthathadexistedforoverthreehundredyearsinAmerica?WouldvotersvotetheirpastorlooktoanewAmericanfuture?
![Page 26: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
! !!
!!"#$%&'()*'+*,-./'("*
!
!"#$%!57!'#()*+,-.!,/!01%2,-#!
'*342,$)(!56&78!9':;!
0%1/(.*2P**
“Recent Studies by Dr. Gallup report a big backswing of Catholic voters into the Democratic Party in the congressional elections of 1958. The report says that 75 per cent of Catholics voted for Democratic congressional candidates in that year. In twelve states of the industrial East, the Gallup analysis says, the number of Catholic Democrats in 1958 actually was greater than that of Protestant Democrats. A breakdown of the Democratic vote in these states into religious groups showed 48 per cent Catholic, 35 per cent Protestant, 13 per cent Jewish, and 4 per cent other religions. The 12 states were the six in New England plus New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. These states combined have 153 electoral votes.” !
!?*D2-%b!S%I(!%I-%23(%B!C2*1!>U,++!()%!L%+,$,*D.!<..D%!?(*3!c%//%B4!,/!=76i@![T;%A5B1%\%W)#*.%75C)#$N%?%3(%1G%2!P8!&`O`E!</C*$2#3),-!n!X&`O`Y!V#++D38!</-E!0++!2,$)(.!2%.%2H%BE!S)%!-*/(%/(!,.!D.%B!A,()!3%21,..,*/[!)*A%H%28!V#++D3!2%(#,/.!#++!2,$)(.!*C!2%3DG+,-#(,*/E!! !
![Page 27: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page27CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source16
PresidentialLeadershipRelatedtoReligiousBigotryReadthestatementsbelowfromGeorgeWashington,AbrahamLincoln,U.S.GrantandTheodoreRoosevelt.
CompareandContrasttheStatements.PresidentWashingtonrespondingtoAmericanCatholicswrotehimaskingfor“theequalrightsofcitizenship,asthepriceofourbloodspiltunderyoureyes,”
“Asmankindbecomesmoreliberal,theywillbeapttoallowthatallthosewhoconductthemselvesworthymembersofthecommunityareequallyentitledtotheprotectionofcivilgovernment.”(LettertoRomanCatholicsinAmerica,March15,1790)
AbrahamLincolnrespondingtoaquestionabouttheKnow-NothingParty:
“IamnotaKnow-Nothing.Thatiscertain.HowcouldIbe?Howcananyonewhoabhorstheoppressionofnegroes,beinfavorofdegradingclassesofwhitepeople?Ourprogressindegeneracyappearstometobeprettyrapid.Asanation,webeganbydeclaringthat,“allmenarecreatedequal.”Wenowpracticallyreadit“allmenarecreatedequal,exceptNegroes.”WhentheKnow-Nothingsgetcontrol,itwillread,“allmenarecratedequal,exceptNegroesandforeignersandCatholics.”Whenitcomestothis,Ishallpreferemigratingtosomecountrywheretheymakenopretenseoflovingliberty–toRussia,forinstance,wheredespotismcanbetakenpureandwithoutthebaseallowofhypocrisy.”(LettertoJoshuaSpeed,August24,1855.)
UlyssesS.Grantspeakingaboutissuesarisingbetweencommonschoolsandparochialschools:
"Now,thecentennialyearofournationalexistence,Ibelieve,isagoodtimetobegintheworkofstrengtheningthefoundationsofthestructurecommencedbyourpatrioticforefathersonehundredyearsagoatLexington.Letusalllabortoaddallneedfulguaranteesforthesecurityoffreethought,freespeech,afreepress,puremorals,unfetteredreligioussentiments,andofequalrightsandprivilegestoallmenirrespectiveofnationality,color,orreligion.Encouragefreeschools,andresolvethatnotonedollar,appropriatedfortheirsupport,shallbeappropriatedtothesupportofanysectarianschools.ResolvethatneithertheStatenorNation,norbothcombinedshallsupportinstitutionsoflearningotherthanthosesufficienttoaffordtoeverychildgrowingupinthelandtheopportunityof[sic]agoodcommonschooleducation,unmixedwithsectarian,pagan,oratheisticaldogmas.Leavethematterofreligiontothefamilyaltar,theChurch,andtheprivateschool,supportedentirelybyprivatecontributions.KeeptheChurchandStateforeverseparate.Withthesesafeguards,IbelievethebattleswhichcreatedtheArmyoftheTennesseewillnothavebeenfoughtinvain."[AsreprintedintheNewYorkTribune,October1,1875]
![Page 28: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page28CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source16
PresidentialLeadershipRelatedtoReligiousBigotry(continued)
TheodoreRoosevelt,speakingatthetimeofthe1908electioninsupportofWilliamHowardTaftagainstWilliamJenningsBryan:
“IbelievethatthisRepublicwillendureformanycenturies.IfsotherewilldoubtlessbeamongitsPresidentsProtestantsandCatholics,and,veryprobablyatsometime,Jews.IhaveconsistentlytriedwhilePresidenttoactinrelationtomyfellowAmericansofCatholicfaithasIhopethatanyfuturePresidentwhohappenstobeaCatholicwillacttowardshisfellowAmericansofProtestantfaith.HadIfollowedanyothercourseIshouldhavefeltthatIwasunfittorepresenttheAmericanpeople.”(InresponsetolettersreceivedattemptingtomakeTaft’sreligionanissueintheelection,November9,1908)
Whatdoesthistellusabouttheimportanceandlimitsofpresidentialleadershiponasocialissue?
![Page 29: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page29CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE
Source17
ThomasNast,between1860-1902,unpublished.Whatisironicaboutthelabelof“foreign”reptilesinthiscartoon?Source:LibraryofCongress,http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010717281/
![Page 30: Catholics in America · Catholics thirty-to-one, laws were passed that prevented Catholics from inheriting or purchasing land, imprisoned priests for life, prohibited Catholic worship,](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022040907/5e7dfe947cc4404c9964b8fa/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
CatholicsinAmerica
Page30CatholicsinAmerica
Copyright2016,NCHE