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PAGE 2—THE BULLETIN, November 12, 1960 Quality Recapping New Tire Sales & .Service BROWN TIRE CO. If Ton Can’t Re-Tire - Retread Chamblee, Ga. 5039 Peachtree Road Glendale 7-3131 Robert Brown, Owner IXTCaJftlNATOKS CE. 7-8694 Free Inspection Atlanta, Ga. Any Time — Anywhere Call a TAXI RADIO CABS DECATUR CO-OP CABS 310 E. Howard Ave. 24-Hour Service Passengers Insured Trips Anywhere DE. 7-38SS — DE. 7-1701 DECATUR, GA. The Catholic In America By Rev. Peter J. Rahill, Ph.D. This is one of a series of articles reviewing the position and experience of the practicing Catholic in the life of the American com m unity from Colonial times. The author holds a doctorate in American Church History has taught in various universities, and is pres ently Archivist and Historian of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. THE RISE AND DECLINE OF KNOW-NOTHINGISM Public revulsion to nativist attacks and the sturdy defense against them, particularly by New York Catholics, brought comparative peace to the Church in the United States during the late 1840’s. Why was the tranquil sea of Ameri can life disturbed by a squall more tempestuous than most of the previous storms? It was probably due to a combination of the many causes cited ra ther than to any certain one. A few months after he be came archbishop, John Hughes proclaimed in St. Patrick’s Ca thedral: “There is no secret about this. The object we hope to accomplish in time, is to convert all pagan nations and all Protestant nations . . .” As late as this year in a ATLANTA’S ONLY MATERNITY SPECIALTY SHOPS 224 Peachtree, N. W. Broadview Plaza Mni * BROOKHAVEN FEDERAL Aftf /IU/ft SAVINGS & IflAN ASSOCIATION &1V/A f . 4098 Peachtree. Road, Atlanta' .19, Ga; v .1 • : .'; Accounts Opened by Mail— ' PER.ANNO.V. : ' . CE. 7-6406 cuhrenYrate;, , R, G"'COLBERT, President : r ' ;RRENT " A Fox The Finest In Non-Perishable Fancy Food Gift Baskets SNACK ’N SHOP Variety of Wonderful Appetizing Snacks Served AT OUR SNACK BAR OPEN TIL 7 P.M. North Decatur Plaza ME. 6-4622 Decatur, Ga. PAINTS. GLASS, BUILDING MATERIALS John G. Butler Company MILLWORK AND HARDWARE SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Store 2-1161 Plant 2-1164 — Over 100 Years of Service — t Can Take i"- >/•;/,... . . : ,i leather.,. Precision Paints are modern chemistry’s ' t answer to a smoother flowing, easier to apply paint. Composed of the finest pigments and special oils—there is a Precision Paint j precisely right for every painting job! See the entire Precision line!- ' rx ' PRECISION PAINT CORP. 4900 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD. CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA GLENDALE 7-2577 popular magazine the arch bishop was called arrogant for his statement. Yet in itself it was hardly sufficient to have aroused sustained attack. The eminent position of the Arch bishop of New York must have been generally recog nized, for President Polk had asked him to be our nation’s envoy to Mexico four years previously. THE POPE'S GIFT Nativist agitation was in flamed by any increase in im migration. Famine in Ireland and a suppressed revolution in Prussia had filled incoming ships with newcomers to America. Animate beings, however, were not required to infuriate some. For the Washington Monument then under con struction, Pope Pius IX sent a block of Italian marble. To the anti-Catholic faction the ad vent of one of the ten plagues would have been more wel come. Diatribes from press and platform culminated in a mob seizing the stone and hurling it into the Potomac River. Hat red of the Church and not the injection of secretarianism must have been the motive. Otherwise, in climbing to the top of the Monument, this writer’s eyes would not have encountered at virtually every step a stone inscribed from some chapter of the Masonic Order or other organizations not noted for friendship to Catholics. If the avowed enemies of the Church were incensed at the Pope’s gift to all Ameri cans, their rage approached the rabid in March of 1853. The newly elected Franklin Pierce named James Camp bell, a Pennsylvania Catholic, to be United States Postmas ter-General. The President was reviled, his nominee abus ed, and the country untruth fully warned that the Jesuits would have access to every letter in the mails. As Andrew Jackson stood firm when an anti-Catholic outburst greeted his appoint ment of Catholic Roger B. Taney to the Supreme Court, Pierce was as unshakeable as the granite of his native New Hampshire. Campbell retained his post throughout the ad ministration. Americans of a century ago were grateful, to him for introducing perforated borders to stamps, so that no longer , was a knife, or scissors necessary to separate them. The bedlam aroused by this Cabinet appointment had scarcely subsided when a fresh outburst commenced. Our country then had formal dip lomatic relations with the Business or Pleasure Travel Arrangements Air - Ship - Bus - Rail Cruises - Tours - Hotels Holy See, and when the Papal Nuncio to Brazil, Archbishop Gaetano Bedini, visited the United States he paid a cour tesy call to President Pierce. Then commenced a tour of a country entirely new to him. Agitators preceded him from city to city and dogged his footsteps whenever he stop ped. Riots became common place to him. The worst of the outbreaks disgraced Christmas night in Cincinnati. A mob of 600 stormed the residence of Archbishop John. Baptist Pur cell, where the Italian prelate was a guest. A newspaper ac count stated there were “some with torches to set fire to the cathedral and some with ropes with which to hang the Nun cio.” One was killed and more than 50 injured before the police courageously quelled the onslaught. ENEMIES ORGANIZE When Archbishop Bedini re turned to New York another mob was being collected to harass — at the very least — his departure. Had the dough ty Archbishop John Hughes not been away for his health, that intrepid prelate probably would have stared down any potential rioters. In his ab sence the metropolitan, clergy thought discretion the better course. Instead of from a tumultous dock, Archbishop Bedini boarded his outgoing liner from a steam tug as the vessel passed through the Staten Island Narrows. Not withstanding all this, this Ital ian Archbishop was so instru mental in erecting the North American College in Rome for the education of American ec clesiastics that he is consider ed a founder of the institution. All these outbursts were not impulsive. By no means! By the time Archbishop . Bedini left in 1854 anti-Catholicism in the United States was more fully organized than ever be fore. The cancer of exaggerat ed nationalism and hatred of fellow citizens because of their religion had for a time been •recessive. The inflammation was ready to erupt and splotch the book of history with its corruption. Had the outburst been spontaneous, it could have been presumed -that the fault lay much with individual World-Wide Travel Service GEORGIA MOTOR CLUB, Inc. Affiliated with the American Aulomobile Assn. 1044 W. Peachtree St.., N.W. Atlanta 9, Ga. • TR. 5-7171 \m Catholics in various pails of the country. But the few out rages just related of the many which took place represented the planned maneuvers of a new organization which had evolved during the years of comparative calm. Anti-Ca tholicism had abandoned arm ed forays after public distaste had been so manifest follow ing the Philadelphia riots of 1844. The Native American Party had collapsed but the seeds were ready to bring forth weeds whenever the cli mate was agreeable. SHROUDED IN SECRECY Order of the Star Spangled Banner is a name which would imply profession of the virtues of patriotism and justice. Still it was from this nativist orga nization that a powerful politi cal assult against Catholicism was made. At first the new political party bore no name, had no visible organization, and its emblem was not en tered on any ballot. Secrecy enshrouded it further with the the use of passwords, special grips for handshakes, mysteri- our signs of recognition be tween members, and esoteric signals of distress. Years later in his Memoirs former Presi dent Grant revealed that he had become a member solely to learn the inner secrets. What was the name? The re sponse of the members in the early 1850’s was “I know no thing about it.” From this standard reply evolved the popular designation: “Know- Nothings.” And Know- Nothings they remained while the membership grew from an insignificant nativist group to a multitude which threatened to gain control of the national as well as state governments. Operating through the American Party, the Know- Nothings in 1854 elected nine Governors, eight U. S. Sena tors and almost half of the membership of the U. S. House of Representatives. Massachu setts is an example of the Know-Nothing domination of a commonwealth. The Gover nor, all state Senators and ex ecutives and all but two mem bers of the state Assembly were Know-Nothings. The Know-Nothings were highly successful in using street preachers to liven the glowing embers of anti-Catho licism. In Providence, Brook lyn, and on into the Midwest the technique proved effec tive. Though Archbishop Pet er Richard Kenrick willingly allowed a church and St. Louis University to be searched for alleged arms and ammunition, the falsity of the charge did not quiet the mob. The St. Louis Evening News of August 9, 1854, reported in part: “For 48 hours the city has been the scene of one of the most appalling riots that has ever taken place in the country. Men have been butch ered like cattle, property de stroyed and anarchy reigns supreme.” A scene in Louis ville the following year is typ ical. 'BLOODY MONDAY' In the Kentucky city George D. Prentice filled his Louis ville Journal with violent edi torials supporting the Know- Nothing Party in an election of August 1855. By noon on election day dries of “Down with the Dutch and Irish!” had been supplanted by thugs roving the streets with clubs. Six years before the. Civil War this border city appeared to be besieged, as flames shot skyward in districts inhabited by immigrants. A mother rushed forth from the flames that were consuming her hus band —- but her dash was in vain. A maniac murdered in her arms the child she was carrying to safety. At least 20 persons were killed before “Bloody Monday” ended in Louisville. Highest Quality Recaps! . Guaranteed Passenger and Truch Tires—Retail, Whole sale, Fleet—8-Hour Service on Passenger Cars MOBLEY TIRE 8c RECAP SERVICE DR. 3-3388 - 2803 TS. Ponce De Leon DECATUR Dunlap Distributors Crenshaw Bicycle Shop Schwinn & Dayton Bicycles New - Rebuilt - Supplies - Repairs 995 Hemphill Ave., N.W. TR. 6-1744 Atlanta, Ga. BARRETT 8c LEACH Fancy Groceries - Fresh Vegetables 3771 Roswell Road CE. 7-0355 Famous Prime Western Beef Atlanta, Ga. ECHOLS TRANSFER INC. PL. 3-8030 PL. 3-2153 PL. 8-9156 Hauling & Moving Truck & Driver $3.00 Per Hour 370-2 Lee St., S.W. Atlanta, Ga. Radio Station WERD KC 860 On The Dial 330 Auburn Ave., NE JA. 4-0666 — Atlanta, Ga. The Catholic newspaper of Boston, The Pilot, gloomily feared that a Know-Nothing would be elected President in 1856. The candidate finally chosen by the party was Mil lard Fillmore, who had previ ously occupied this supreme executive position after Zach ary Taylor died in office. At the time of his selection Fill more was in Rome seeking an audience with Pope Pius IX. Though he accepted the nomi nation, Fillmore did not per sonally participate in the in vectives hurled against the Church during the campaign. Almost 25 per cent of the pop ular, vote was garnered by this nativist party, but its electoral vote; was limited to the eight of Maryland. ATTENTION DIVERTED The nation’s attention was being diverted by increasing tension between North and South. Actually the very suc cess i of the Know-Nothing Party was already bringing about its downfall. In Massa^ chusetts, where the entire state government was in its hands, the members of the legislature were so inept that they were unable to pass laws against the Church they were committed to exterminate. Re quiring voters to pass a litera cy test was the sole enactment. A “Nunnery Committee” was appointed and conducted an “inquisition” of a Catholic school in Roxbury. After the members had disrupted the school, frightened the chil dren, and boorishly refused to remove their hats while in specting the chapel, they were forced to report that nothing could be found deserving of criticism. To climax the day’s enter tainment for the committee, a riotous dinner was held at which copious quantities of champagne were consumed at public expense in a state in which the sale of the beverage was illegal. These and other unreportable escapades of the group were so notorious that its chairman was expelled from the Massachusetts As sembly. Meanwhile secrecy, once a lure to the adventurous, be came odious as t ,h e party sought power and responsibil ity. Thinking citizfcfis could not long be credulous of ridic ulous charges of a “Popish” plot to invade the United States. Once members had glo ried in the name “Know- Nothing.” They shamefully withdrew as pseudo-organiza tions espoused the titles of “Owe-Nothing,”" and “Do- Nothing.” Four years later in the 1860 election the Know-Nothings were absorbed in the Consti tutional Union Party, which ran last in the divided contest of that momentous year. An abortive attempt to revive the so-called American Party in 1880 was completely ineffectu al. In the entire country its to tal vote numbered 707! Once again both the United States and the Catholic Church had survived a test. A political party founded on hatred of fellow Americans had been rejected and exterminated. (TO BE CONTINUED) Cardinal Muench Protector Of Sisters Of Mercy Mother Mary Regina Cun ningham, R.S.M., Mother Gen eral of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of the Union, has been informed by a letter from the Papal Secretary of State, Cardinal Tardini, of the ap pointment of Aloisius Cardinal Muench as Cardinal Protector of the Institute of the Reli gious Sisters of Mercy of the Union. Cardinal Muench succeeds the late Pietro Cardinal Fuma- soni-Biondi as Cardinal Pro tector of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union. "Pope's Day" LONDON — The Bishops of England and Wales desig nated November 4, the second anniversary of His Holiness Pope John XXIII’s coronation, as “Pope’s Day.” Permission was given for the celebration of evening Masses in all churches, during which special collections were taken up as a birthday pres ent for Pope John. The Pope will be 79 on November 25. The money will go toward building a cehter for laymen pursuing higher studies in Rome, mainly for students from missionary countries. Bitter lessons learned m childhood can be useful guides in the battle of life. JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL JUNIOR COLLEGE 105 Forrest Ave., N. E. JA. 3-8580 “Around the Corner from Sacred Heart Church” Day And Evening Classes ST. JOSEPH’S INFIRMARY SODA FOUNTAIN COFFEE SHOP AND RESTAURANT LOCATED NEXT TO GIFT SHOP ON MAIN FLOOR IN NEW BUILDING ATLANTA, GA. WE THREW AWAY THE KEYS PLAZA PHARMACY OPEN ALL NIGHT 1061 Ponce de Leon, Corner Highland, TR. 6-0381 Atlanta, Georgia V2 Gallon of SWEET CREAM In every pound of LAND O’ LAKES Sweet Cream Butter BROOKWOOD SERVICE STATION Pure Oil Products - Tires - Lubrication - Tail Pipe - Mufflers - Brake Work MR. CLAY, Prop. Road Service - Pick-Up & Delivery 1820 Peachtree Rd. ( N.W. TR. 6-2171 Atlanta, Ga. FOR A QUICK SALE "MULTI-LIST" ___ "YOUR HOME"' Your Home Will Be Photographed and Immediately Re-Listed With 24 DeKalb REALTORS. For More Information Call ME. 4-2424 Office or ME. 6752 Night. SAM T. BRANNAN, INC. REALTORS 2469 N. Decaiur Rd. “DeKalb Leader In Home Sales” HAPEVILLE JEWELRY COMPANY 583-B S. Central Ave. HAPEVILLE, GA. Insured to $10,000 Postage We Pay On Mail by FSI.IC Accounts 4 % Current Rate on Savings Standard Federal 48 Broad St. NW, Atlanta 3 Georgia MU. 8-6619 General Microfilming Service Microfilming Service Supplies 8c Equipment Electrostatic Prints of Valuable Records Georgia E. Kinney, Owner 333 V2 Peachtree, N. E. DR. 3-0571 Atlanta, Ga. C&S REALTY COMPANY “Specialists in Commercial- Industrial Real Estate” 604 Mortgage Guarantee Building Warehouses, Stores, Mfg. Plants, Acreage, Shopping Center Dev., Industrial Dev., Subdivision Dev., Insurance MIKE 8c STEVE SERTICH JA. 4-2053 A. J. 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