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THE KU KLUX KLAN

[In the preceding issue this REVIEW printed an article in support of the Ku Klux Klan, by the national head of that organization. Herewith it presents four articles in criticism of the Klan, by writers of national authority. Both the former and the latter articles were written at the same time and thus all constitute a true symposium and in no sense a debate. In pursuance of its long-established policy, THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW gives to these writers the utmost freedom of expression, leaving them alone responsible for all their statements. THE EDITORS]

CATHOLICS AND THE KU KLUX KLAN

BY MARTIN J. SCOTT, S.J.

College of St. Francis Xavier, New York

RECENTLY there has arisen in our country a secret organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, whose object is stated to be patriotic. Doubtless some of its members are convinced that in their purpose they are serving a noble cause. It is claimed by this society that certain elements of the population are detrimental to the country's welfare, and that consequently unified action against them is imperative. With this in view the organization has taken on itself the powers of Government, and has endeavored to enforce law and order by its own agencies. As an organization it aims at governing the Government. In its ardor to uphold the Constitution it violates the Constitutional rights of others. Among the elements of our population which it opposes are the members of the Catholic Church. It is affirmed that Catholics do not amalgamate with the rest of the people, that their system of parochial schools makes them a people apart, and that they are really not American because they owe allegiance to a foreign power, the Pope of Rome.

If these charges be true, it is the part of Government to take action with regard to them. However, I shall proceed to show not only that they are not true, but that the reverse is true.

Right information is the best remedy for misunderstanding. The more the Catholic Church is understood the more she stands forth as the upholder of truth and patriotism. The Catholic Church fears ignorance only. The more light thrown on her the better. But it must be the white light of truth, not the colored light of fancy or misrepresentation. Hence instead of assailing the Ku Klux Klan I shall endeavor to set them right with regard to the Church which, through ignorance or bigotry or malice, they oppose.

One of the accusations brought against the Catholic Church is that her members do not amalgamate with the population but exist apart as a separate element. To confirm this her opponents point to her system of parochial schools on which she insists so emphatically. It is maintained that the public school is the greatest instrument of welding the people of the country together and that Catholics in opposing the public school are acting against unification and solidarity.

In the first place let it be said, in reply, that there are no better mixers in our country than Catholics. Catholics are everywhere, and in every activity. The only places where they are not found in great numbers are those whose requirements or character are such that financially or socially they, like multitudes of every race and creed, are not as yet qualified to enter. If they are not conspicuous in certain exclusive social clubs, or in certain financial circles, it is not because they do not amalgamate, but because as yet they have not in large numbers acquired certain conventional assets which are a prerequisite for association with these organizations or circles. Catholics in this country are, as a body, only just emerging from their immigrant limitations. It is true that from the very beginning of our national life Catholics have played a most important part in it. But these were few, because until recent years the country was dominantly Protestant. Catholics settled Maryland, it is true, but in return for their generosity in opening their territory to all, regardless of creed, they eventually found themselves outnumbered in their own State, and themselves outlawed because of their religion. Up to the beginning of the nineteenth century this country was virtually Protestant.

Consequently the land was owned mainly by Protestants, business was conducted principally by Protestants, society as such was dominantly Protestant.

It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that immigration brought Catholics in large numbers to the United States. They came here with very little except willing hearts and willing hands. Of this world's goods they possessed almost nil. Their first and main concern was for a livelihood. The first generation of those Catholic immigrants, being altogether taken up with the struggle of living, had little time or means to indulge in cultural pursuits. They were satisfied to make a living and to worship God in accordance with their faith. But poor as they were, and struggling, they had that innate love of culture which their religion imparts. Deprived of education themselves, by penal laws in their native land, they were nevertheless solicitous for the cultural welfare of their children. is doubtful if anywhere in the world can be found such esteem of education, and such sacrifices made for it, as was manifested by the Catholic immigrants who came in thousands to our shores during the middle of the nineteenth century and the years following.

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As a result, it is safe so say that today there is no element of our population more enthusiastic over education, or more fundamentally educated than Catholics. Up and down the land Catholic schools and academies and colleges are everywhere conspicuous. In proportion to their numbers and wealth Catholics have done more for education than any other body of our citizens. For the time that they have been here, as a considerable body, they have erected more educational establishments, and have given their people more of what is called the higher education, than any other element of our population. The consequence is, that whereas a half century ago a Catholic lawyer or doctor or banker was the exception, the country is now filled with Catholic men in all the learned professions. Culture is ordinarily the child of wealth and leisure. By degrees, as they acquire wealth, and have the leisure, Catholics are becoming conspicuous for their culture. There may be even yet certain social clubs and certain business circles which discriminate against Catholics as Catholics. This is because prejudice and bigotry die

hard. But as a rule a Catholic now gets the recognition to which his personality and culture and other qualifications entitle him.

Often Catholics are apparently discriminated against as Catholics when in reality it is not so. Money and learning do not necessarily make a man desirable. Frequently a disappointed Catholic may lay his failure to advance socially or commercially to his religion. But when we scan the roster of exclusive society, and of high finance, and find there the names of many Catholics distinguished for their fidelity to their religion, it is evident that, generally, almost every avenue of distinction is open to Catholics of the right sort. Society discriminates against those individuals of every creed and race who are lacking in cultural and financial qualifications. As time goes on, and Catholics have the opportunity which their Protestant predecessors have enjoyed, they will amalgamate every bit as well as, and perhaps better than, any other element of the population. A lack of amalgamation, where it may exist, is due not to the lack of will to amalgamate, but to the lack of opportunity. That lack, if it exist, is fast vanishing, and soon Catholics, as a body, will be on the same cultural and financial standing as their, at present, more fortunate neighbors. What must be borne in mind is that Catholics are social beings like the rest of the people, and that, given the chance, it will be made more than evident.

In France and Spain and Belgium and Austria, where Catholics have for centuries had cultural opportunities, we find that Catholic society and Catholic standards are the highest conceivable. All things considered it is truly wonderful what Catholics have accomplished socially and financially and educationally during the past half century. With regard to amalgamation, therefore, it may be affirmed that no body of people ever so thoroughly amalgamated with the people of the country of their adoption as have Catholics in this country of ours. Whatever lines of separation have been drawn between them and others are not of their own making. In every department of civil life the Catholic has so thoroughly identified himself with the spirit and character of his fellow countrymen, that it is hard or impossible for those who do not personally know him and his creed to differentiate him from the others.

All talk of a lack of the spirit of adaptation on the part of Catholics is so much ignorance or malice. It may be true that Catholics from those countries whose language is altogether different from ours may be slow to accommodate themselves to American ways and institutions. But this is not because they are Catholics but because they are foreigners, strangers in language, customs and traditions. This aloofness manifests itself chiefly in the immigrants themselves. The first generation after them often become more American than the generality of Americans. The roster of the World War proclaims only too eloquently the Americanization of the children of immigrants. We may conclude this phase of our subject by saying that the conspicuous feature of Catholics in America is their thorough Americanization.

With regard to the other phase of the matter in hand, the attitude of Catholics towards the public schools, it will be made evident that Catholics are not opposed to public schools because they are public, but because they are lacking in what Catholics hold to be essential to education. Every branch taught in the public school is taught in the parochial school, and just as well, if not better, as is apparent from the public records. Catholics find no fault with public schools for those who are satisfied with the education they afford. If parents wish to send their children to a school where only the mind and body are the concern of the school, well and good. But Catholics hold that there is something of more concern than success in this life, that beside mind and body there is the immortal soul which needs to be guided and directed aright, and instructed in the things of the spirit. Education without religion may make clever and capable people. But the country is full of clever and capable people who are a menace to it. On this subject let us hear Dr. Charles Gray Shaw, head of the department of philosophy, New York University: "Religious development is just as essential as is intellectual. Any one who thinks otherwise is a moron. We have altogether too many intellectual or artistic or musical geniuses who are religious Religion and education should go hand in hand to achieve the final goal of a life better fitted to success. I find the greatest men in the greatest fields devoutly religious..

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