The Guardians of Liberty, 1915

 
IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF RELIGION.
The United States in its Declaration of Independence and in its Constitution is committed to the SEPARATION of State and Church. The Italian Roman Catholic Hierarchy, in control of the Roman Catholic Church in this country, is constantly urging a UNION of Church and State, always, of course, meaning the Roman Catholic Church.

When discussion is made upon this fundamental question the cry is heard: “It is deplored that any body of intelligent men should uphold such a principle as outlined above, which ostracizes American citizens because of their religious belief, and has for its purpose to keep them out of office, political and military, and to discriminate against them generally.” It is not a question of religion. It is a question of using religion as a cloak to carry on treasonable work against the fundamental principles of the United States Government.

The Puritans came to this country to escape the abuse of kingly and priestly power in European governments. They had had experience with the abuses and injustices, where the governing bodies had joined hands with the Church. Our annual Thanksgiving celebration is in memory of the fact that a handful of brave men and women left their homes to establish residence in a country where eventually a government of the people for the people and by the people should be a fact.

The Puritans were unquestionably religious in their belief, life and action. They understood the question of morality and its relation to religion in the light of strenuous endeavors to live the life that they might be worthy the blessings of the Master.

The founders of this Republic knew well the dangers of the Union of Church and State, and a long line of Presidents of the United States have left a warning for us to guard well the encroachments of those who would undermine our fundamental principles in an endeavor to reunite the Church to the State. General Nelson A. Miles, who is at the head of the Guardians of Liberty, said that the organization is non-political, non-sectarian and nonracial and opposes no religion.

The Guardian of Liberty, Vol. III, No. 24 (July 1915) (Published Quarterly by the Guardians of Liberty, Masonic Hall, 46 West 24th Street, New York), 446.


NOTE
The Guardians of Liberty were founded in 1911 and ceased to exist by the end of the decade. It was never as big an organization as the Know-Nothings or the American Protective Association, anti-Catholic groups that preceded it in the nineteenth century. Members included several retired generals and admirals, as well as a Methodist Bishop.