Vigorous Protest by Poles

Denounce Assassin’s Claims of Connection with Polish-Americans.

     PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 8.—Four hundred Polish-Americans gathered at St. Laurentius’ Roman Catholic church today, passed resolutions deploring the shooting of President McKinley, and protested against the statements that the would-be assassin was connected with the Polish people in this country. Among those present were five Polish priests. The resolutions, after regretting the attempted murder, continue as follows:
     “Resolved, That we, as Roman Catholic citizens of the United States, protest most energetically against the insinuations of the English press, as if the anarchist who raised his sacriligeous [sic] hand against the highest authority of the great republic has any connection with the Polish people residing in these states. The would-be assassin is a Hebrew by birth, but professes to be an agnostic or an atheist. The Polish nation can boast of never having produced a man who would stain his reputation by attacking a lawful authority, because imbued by Christian principles. It is well aware that all lawful authority comes from God and that it must be respected.”
     Separate telegrams of sympathy were sent to both the president and Mrs. McKinley. Seventeen Polish-American societies, it is claimed, were represented at the meeting.