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Takes Issue With Letter

Takes Issue With Letter image
Parent Issue
Day
27
Month
June
Year
1902
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

TAKES ISSUE WITH LETTER

Miss Eva Johnson's Epistle is Criticized

REV. E.D. KELLY Spoke of Omega Publication at Both Masses Sunday -- Has Caused Much Stir

The letter of Miss Eva Johnson, published in the Omega, the senior class annual of the High school for 1902 was criticized by the Rev. E. D. Kelly at both masses at St. Thomas church Sunday.

Referring to that portion of her letter which tells of cock-fighting in the Philippines Father Kelly said that the same obnoxious condition existed here in Ann Arbor.

Fr. Kelly expressed much surprise at the fact that the authorities of the high school should officially approve of the letter, with its untruthful and unjust statements and allow it to be printed in a representative publication of the school.

In regard to the worship of images and other forms of idolatry referred to by Miss Johnson, Fr. Kelly said he would have thought that Miss Johnson was more conversant with the doctrines of the Catholic church, being a pupil of the high school, than to make a statement that members of the church in the Philippines or anywhere else worshipped images. The world at large, even out side of the Catholic church knew that the images used in the church are but reminders of the faithful works and spiritual deeds of those who have gone before and are incentives to piety.

The letter written by Miss Johnson, the daughter of Judge E. F. Johnson, who was appointed to a judgeship in the Philippines last year, is as follows:

Lingayen, P. I., Feb. 12.

Mr. dear friend: --This evening my mind runs back to "my dear old Ann Arbor," and I imagine that I can see you all enjoying the pleasures and associations of sweet civilization. It seems to me, if I could only step in and visit you but for a moment, I would be happy indeed. I can deeply realize now the great advantages that one enjoys by living in a country composed of Anglo-Saxons. I am not sure that the American women fully appreciate the comforts afforded by their home in a land of civilization. One must see the poverty and degradation of the women of the Orient in order to fully appreciate the comforts of what Americans call a "home.' When I see those poor people in their ignorance, idolatry, and poverty; when I see them kneeling down in great humility before their images; I am driven to the conclusion that I am living in the midst of heathens.

My brother and I went out for a walk this morning, and we stopped to visit the church for a few moments. Everywhere, upon floors and walls, are seen images which these people most reverently worship. The church here is a magnificent structure, large enough to contain the entire structure (except the steeples) of the First Methodist church at Ann Arbor, and then have sufficient room unoccupied to accommodate more people than the Methodist church at Ann Arbor will contain. The "Padre" in charge of the church here told me that upon every Sunday, between the hours of six and nine, from ten to fifteen thousand people worship in his church. Everybody goes to church on Sunday morning. The mere attendance seems to satisfy their consciences, for they will be seen on Sunday afternoon by the hundreds attending a "cock-fight" or other amusement that we in the States would consider very questionable. Cock-fighting is one of the greatest amusements of the people here. I have been told that natives have been known to put up as much as $5,000 upon the result of a cock-fight. It is not, however, the only gambling amusement of the people here. It is not an uncommon thing, as you pass by the native shacks, to see them filled with native men and women gambling at cards. I have seen houses filled with women gambling at cards, while their children were romping as dirty as dirt could make them.

Among the products of the islands, from appearances, you would think that children was the principal one. There is scarcely a household that is not blessed with at least five or more.

I am told that the "Padre," or priest, keeps coffins to rent as well as to sell. When a person is not able to buy one for the interment of a body, the priest permits them to carry their dead to the cemetery in one of his coffins which he keeps to rent for that purpose. Hundreds of persons are buried here with no other covering that a "patata," which is a web-like blanket, made out of a shrub which grows here. In no case is the coffin ever placed in what we call an "over-box.' The coffin is set in the ground and is never lowered more than twelve to twenty inches. The price paid the priest for the use of the coffin varies in accordance with the ability of the applicant to pay. Priests own the cemetery. No person is permitted to bury there, unless he contributes to the priest.

A band always accompanies a funeral procession. This band generally plays a waltz or a two-step or some other music equally solemn.

I am sure you will be interested to know what kind of house I am now living in. It is quite large, with five rooms and a kitchen; of course as Oriental house, with all the living rooms on the second floor, as the first is only used as a storehouse. The sala, or parlor, is a room about eighty feet long and forty feet wide. The floors of all the rooms are made of what the natives call mahogany. It is red wood and takes a beautiful polish.  All of our floors reflect images. We have them cleaned every morning with banana leaves. When all the windows are open there is but little space that is enclosed.

It seems almost like a fairy dream when I think of our mahogany floors, ebony chairs, tables and beds made of rosewood, most beautifully carved.

These people, as a nation, are but little removed from savages. Of course I see and hear about the very lowest class because of papa's position. He has had some very curious cases. Just the other day, he had a man in court who openly confessed to having killed some ten persons, the last being a baby, which he held in the fire until its legs were burnt off. A few nights ago, a man killed another because he owed him seven cents, Mexican. I could tell you of many, many equally bloody.

I am studying Spanish very hard. I have a teacher who can speak only five languages fluently, counting English. All these people are remarkable linguists and great imitators.

I might take up your time for hours in giving you detailed accounts of the many things which have attracted my attention since reaching the Orient. While there are many here to interest me, I am fearful that they will soon become monotonous to you, and as I expect to return to the States in a year, to enter Wellesley, I will wait until then to tell you my varied and curious experiences.

As "taps" has sounded, I must close. Sending much love and good wishes, I remain,

Sincerely your friend in the Philippines, EVA JOHNSON.

In referring to that portion of the letter where Miss Johnson says: "I can deeply realize now the great advantage that one enjoys by living in a country composed of Anglo-Saxons," Father Kelly dwelt at some length on the erroneousness of any statement that might be made to the effect that this country was peopled by Anglo-Saxons. In this connection he reminded the congregation of the nationality of President Roosevelt, of Admiral Schley and other distinguished men of the country.

Inquiry among the members of the school board today fails to show that any of them knew anything about how the letter came to appear in the Omega. The authority for its publication was given by the officials of the school, it is said.