Culture wars have been a feature of our country from the beginning. These wars arise from fear of loss as political and economic power is shared with more people. Fear of loss is natural and needs to be addressed. Instead, it is exploited by zealots who blindly believe the misinformation spewed by cynical opportunists seeking attention and power.
Bible – by Aaron Burden
One such culture war happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1840’s. Philadelphia was a major seaport and primary point of entry for new immigrants. The unwanted immigrants of that day were Irish Catholics. Some folks were convinced that Irish Catholics would destroy America’s Protestant heritage. Most folks believed the Irish would undercut wages and steal the jobs of native-born Americans.
Pennsylvania was founded on religious tolerance, so naturally the 1840’s culture clash morphed into a religious war closely tied to anti-immigrant hysteria. In the 1840’s, every public-school day began with a Bible reading. Protestants insisted that the schools use the King James Bible while Irish Catholics wanted to use the “Catholic” or Douay Bible. Both sides tried to seize control of the school board during elections. Eventually a compromise was agreed but like all good political compromises, it would be undermined by the rabblerousers.
A bunch of populist blowhards decided to get their 15 minutes of fame. On the nativist side was Lewis C. Levin. Levin was a charismatic man who never had any trouble talking other people into giving him money, despite his history of bankruptcies and lawsuits alleging he misused investors’ money.
Lewis C. Levin – from Wikepedia
Levin smooth-talked his way into being the editor of a Philadelphia newspaper. His hobby horse was temperance, which was ideal for attacking Irish Catholics. Irish Catholics were caricatured as drunken, lazy (but job-stealing) threats to the American way of life. He cynically stoked the anti-immigrant rage through editorials and speeches, hoping to parlay it into a political career.
On the immigrant and Catholic Irish side of the fight was Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick. He negotiated the Bible readings compromise and built several Catholic churches, including St. Michael’s. Although he vigorously defended the interests of Irish Catholic immigrants, he counseled his flock to avoid violence.
But violence became inevitable in July 1844 when everyone was sweating in the summer heat and humidity. July was speechifying and marching season. Every civic and political group sponsored a July 4th parade, followed by speeches.
Levin decided the nativists would show the Catholics who was boss by marching into a city ward that was predominantly Irish Catholic and delivering hours of anti-immigrant speeches. Angry Catholics heckled the orators. Pushing and shoving degenerated into bricks, clubs and fists. A few wild shots were fired by unknown persons and the nativists were chased out of the ward.
Catholic mass – by Josh Applegate
Nativist leaders screeched that the Catholics were stockpiling weapons and planning to attack Protestants and nativists. Young men of the nativist movement were eager to believe these lies because it gave them political cover for working off excess energy in a riot. After consuming too much alcohol, the nativist bully boys began attacking Catholic neighborhoods. They were quickly joined by an anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant mob who torched St. Michael’s Church. The church burned to ruins while the mob prevented the fire brigades from dousing the flames.
Levin and other populists had stirred up a mob they couldn’t control. Sheriff Morton McMartin, an Irish Protestant immigrant, lacked a dedicated police force to restore order. He could only appeal for volunteers to serve on a posse, but few men were interested in becoming a target for the mob.
McMartin appealed to the governor for state militia help. State militias were volunteer forces of dubious military value in the 1840’s and it was unclear whether they could legally be used against a riotous mob of citizens. The governor appealed to Washington for federal troops, but his request was declined. The federal government was gridlocked over whether to allow slavery in the new western states.
Eventually the governor authorized using the 1st Division, Pennsylvania Militia to protect Catholic churches from arson. The mob initially welcomed the militia since many militia officers were pro-nativist. The mob’s mood changed when they realized the soldiers would follow orders to protect Catholic property. They attacked the soldiers who defended themselves with guns and cannons. That ended the culture war in Philadelphia.
In the aftermath, Levin managed to win election to Congress despite being charged with treason. He accomplished nothing and was not reelected. He died broke. Bishop Kenrick created an English translation of the Douay Bible before dying in 1863.
Culture wars never end but they also never succeed because society evolves. Bible readings are no longer part of the daily routine at public schools. In 1960, John F. Kennedy, an Irish American Catholic, held a Douay Bible when taking his presidential oath. Camelot began. Until the next culture war started.
Image of book – from Amazon
To read all the gory details, see The Fires of Philadelphia, by Zachary M. Schrag (2021). The book is exceptionally well researched but has the feeling of being rushed into print without sufficient proofreading. Fortunately, the typos don’t distract from a fascinating story.
If you would like Norma’s blog sent to your inbox, we invite you sign up by clicking here! And we will see you next time!