A Monster Rally Against Rome: Nativists Pack the Seattle Armory

Every available inch of the Armory was taken up yesterday afternoon by the crowd at the meeting of the secret societies, and the enthusiasm and spontaneity of applause recalled forcibly the canal demonstrations of the state election two years ago. The object was to protest against the interference of the pope of Rome in the affairs of America and American organizations.

Perhaps the best indication of the temper of the audience was the reception accorded a quintette of young schoolgirls, who skillfully rendered a number of songs and were given repeated recalls. The second song was 'Washington,' containing the lines 'The A. P. A.s are gaining in Washington—they're going to win the fight,' and as the soft, girlish voices pronounced these words the house fairly rocked under the feet of the crowd. The girls were under the direction of Mrs. H. A. Rockwell, of the W. C. T. U.

The meeting was presided over by Rev. George Lee, who introduced Rev. John F. Damon as 'a stranger to the audience.' The pioneer of the Puget Sound press and pulpit launched into an able and patriotic address, placing American institutions and the American flag at the forefront of everything earthly. 'As a member of a secret society,' he said, 'I have no quarrel with any man's religious opinions so long as they in no wise infringe upon or impair my own rights as an American citizen.'

Turning to local affairs, Father Damon declared: 'Nearly every particle of property now held in the name of the Roman Catholic church and exempt from taxes is the gift of Protestants who did not dare to fuss; exempted from taxation by legislators who depended for their brief prominence upon priestly intervention; and while their donations have been invested and contiguous land improved, your assessments have been raised and you have paid the taxes for all.'

When he had finished, all arose and sang 'America,' after which the chairman introduced John Bushell as the representative of one of the secret societies as its delegate to the meeting. Mr. Bushell said it was strange that such a society should be called out through the United States of America. But it was time, said Mr. Bushell, that a man who may be termed a 'dago' should be informed that free Americans would not be dictated to, and although it required moral and physical courage to stand upon a public platform and denounce the power of Rome, he would not waver in his duty. He said that 1,000 dodgers announcing the meeting had been printed on his own press, and asked how many of the audience had seen them in the stores of Seattle. Five hands went up, and the speaker declared that the business men were almost a unit in being afraid to allow such an announcement to remain displayed in their houses.

He then announced to the Catholics: 'We have no hard feelings in any manner or form toward you. We believe in religious liberty. But when you or I or anyone attempts to dictate how a man shall worship his Creator, then we do wrong.' Continuing, he spoke of the encroachments of the church and how the mass of the Americans had not been prepared to meet them. Something had to be done, and now the American Protective Association had been formed to fill that gap. This unexpected announcement was cheered to the echo. He closed: 'Today they have us downed. Will we get up? We will. The battle has got to come. It must come. We must be prepared to meet the enemy in whatever form he may appear, and the best place to meet him is at the ballot box.'

G. W. Van Fossen, of Tacoma, state president of the A. P. A., then occupied the attention of the audience for two hours, keeping his hearers in continuous laughter or in applause at his patriotism. He called the World's fair a 'pope's show,' and declared that if he had his way he would inscribe across the heavens the name of every member of the A. P. A. He closed: 'Just as sure as the sun in 1895 rolls in his course from east to west and sinks into the golden sea, just so sure will the American Protective Association be successful at the elections.'

A collection of $11 was taken up, and the meeting adjourned. Next Sunday afternoon another meeting will be held at Mosack hall.