The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-04-24 00:00:00

AMERICAN PAPERS.

( From the Journal of Commerce.)
The late attempt to put clown discussion by violence, at
Broadway Hall, is in perfect keeping with the spirit of the Ca-
tholic religion; which, iu proportion as it is predominant in
any community, is intolerant and persecuting. But really we
had not supposed that the time was yet come for physical force
• to be resorted to by the catholics in this city. We had thought
the policy marked out by the leaders of that sect was to conceal
the cloven foot until they had gained such an ascendancy that
they could defy all opposition. This being done, we should be
prepared 'not only to see protestant meetings broken up, but
those in attendance dragged off to the inquisition.
Has it then come to this, that Protestants cannot meet for the
discUision of religious subjects without being invaded and out-
raged by u catholic mob? If the catholics did not wish to hear
the discussion they were not obliged to go there. Nor indeed
was-it those that heard the discussion who broke up the Meet-
ing, but an outside party who did not hear it. It was enough
for them that such a discussion was going on; that light was
being elicited. This of itself was a crime too great to be toler-
ated in this free country; the meeting must be broken up. And
it was broken up; after which the rage of the mob was vented
upon the seats, lamps, windows, &c. 'this, be it remembered,
is a.cousequence of the universal welcome extended to foreign-
ers in this country. They not only crowd posit-Muses OA
prisons, but being warmed into life by the kindness of their be-
nefactors, break down the barriers of the constitution, and
trample upon the tights of American citizens. We respectfully
suggest to the priests, that if this mob was set on by themselves
it was at least premature. They are not yet strong enough to
fasten their chains about us with success. A few years hence
they may possibly be able to effect their object. But in the
meantime it is important that they should conceal their true
colours, and constantly inculcate the idea that catholicism is
-essentially different here from *hat it is in Italy, Spain, Aus-
tria, &C.
The Courier and Star, instead of denouncing this outrage
upon the rights of freemen in the terms which it merits, divide
the blame about equally between the rioters and those against
whom their violence was directed. The'Cinirier speaks of the
discussion as " foolish, useless, and improper," and asserts that
" none but fanatics and foolish, discontented individuals would
presume to embark in a discuSsiou as to the political bearings
of any religious sect." The Star asks—" What possible good
can result from discussing the question whether ' Popery is
compatible with civil liberty ?' Suppose it is not' compatible
with civil liberty,' ought we to deprive catholics of their civil
rights because their religion is not agreeble to a certain portion
of their fellow-citizens ?" Passing by the utter incoherence of
the al gurnent, (as if a religion's being incompatible with civil
liberty was identical with its not being agreeable to a certain
portion of the commuuity, ) we remark that the object of these
editors is perfectly coincident with that of the rioters, viz., to,
put down the-Protestant Association, though their mode of cpe-
ration is different. The one resort to physical violence; the
other take occasion from that violence to call the association
" fanatics," " foolish," &c., and to remonstrate with them
against bolding meetings which prompt another sect to inter-
fere with them. Admirable logic ! So, if you see a man, when
about his lawful and hottest business, assaulted by a ruffian be
sure to blazon forth the "folly" and " inipropriet)" of his being
where he was, fur it was that which " prompted" the ruffians to
"interfere with him!" Had he only consented to waive the
enjoyment of his rights, and coop himself up in his dwelling,
he world 'not have been guilty of creating •a breach of the
peace ! Such, in effect, is the cowardly sneaking language of
the Courier and Star. For a punctilio of (miscalled) honour the
Courier would send 100,000 men. to destruction in a war with
France; but it would have American citizens abandon their
dearest principles, or the public expression of them, lest per-
chance a catholic mob should be " prompted" to commit au act
of violence. No, never! The man that will consent to be 'nuz-
zled' in the expression of his principles by considerations of per-
sonal danger is fit only to be trodden under font by priests and
bishops—to be enslaved in body, soul, and spirit, and to be used
as an instrument of enslaving and bruftlyttig others. If the

preservation of order is so great. an object, let•those be reformed
or punished who have interrupted it. If it is so necessary that
the laws should be supreme, let, those who have broken them
begin the work of repentance and reformation. It is a new
doctrine indeed, if in this free country any set of men, be they
christiatis, Jews, or infidels—be they protestants, catholics, or
nothingarians—cannot meet for the discussion of any}' subject
not treasonable which they may please to entertain. Were we
members of the Protestant Association, or any other association
in similar circumstances, neither mob violence nor editorial
abuse should preveut-us from persisting in the exercise of our
rights.
We have not time to follow this subject out in its details, but
we must answer, in oue word, the question propounded by the
Star, " suppose it (popery) is not compatible with civil liberty,
what possible good can result from knowing that' fact?" This
is the substance of the inquiry ; those who want the exact words
can find them by referring. back to a preceding paragraph.
What good? Why, in the first place, if such is the tendency of
popery, let those who love liberty cease countenancing and encou-,
raying popery. Let protestants cease building churches for
catholics, and sending their children to convents. Let legisla-
tures charter no more colleges whose presidents are tbreter to
be appointed by the catholic bishop of the diocese, i. e., by the
pope. Let editors cease puffing' the catholic religion at and
prior to elections for the sake of obtaining catholic votes. Let,
if possible, sonic means be devised to prevent the incursion of
foreign priests and treasurers now poured in so profusely from
despotic countries for the dissemination of the catholic religion.
Let, if need be, restrictions be put upon the tide of wretched po-
pulation which is deluging us from European catholic countries.
These are a few of the things which ought to be done if popery
is " incompatible with civil liberty." It is eminently a practi-
cal question. But this is not the point. Practical or not prac-
tical, " useless" or not useless, " foolish" or not foolish, " fana-
tical" or not fanatical, they who please have a right to discuss it.
The freedom of speech and of worship is a right which no true
American will ever abandon but with life. It constitutes tha
very essence of liberty; Without it, republicanism is but a name
—a thing not worth preserving. Let foreigners beware " with
what intent they touch that holy thing."
The Star aski whether we ought " to deprive catholics of their
civil rights, because," Ste. What are their rights? To break
up, by mob violence, assemblies of those who differ from them?
To abolish the freedom of speech and worship? If these are
their rights, they have derived them neither from God nor the
constitution nor laws, and therefore they ought to be deprived of
them, and must be, or we are an undone people.