Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-07
From the United States Catholic Miscellany.l
LETTER III.
7io Me Cataolies Of the uaitea Ssates Of .amuiea

MY rrlendS-l stated that would commence
my investigation by examining the charges
which are made upon US by the Rev. Joseph
Blanco White. You will naturally ask who he
is. beg to inform you that know nothing
more of him than the accoun, which he gives Of
himself in his evidence against our religion
That evidence, if must so call il, is contained
in book which he appears to have published
in London, in April or May, 1925; and which
is dedicated 10 the Provost of Oriel College,
Oxford; as also in letters from Spain under the
signature of Don Leucadio Doblado; and which
appeared in the new Monthly LonGon Maya
zine. In the dedication, Mr. White very plain
ly exhibits his object, in the following passages;
to understand which, it is necessary to know
that the writer complains Of having been the
victim of Catholic persecution in Spain. He
states that his patron and he have " similarity
ofsiews as to what is called the Cathode CUES
ton" We are all well acquainted with the SEN
timents generally entertained in England by the
Rev dignitaries and officials Of the established
church upon this question: bu, Mr.. White and
his patron appear to be men of the most liberal
and tolerant disposition, if the gentleman him
self is worthy of credit. He writes:
From the friendly intercourse with which
you have honored NE; know that you hold it
wrong to put down religious error by force, or
to propagate religious truth by degrading and
branding those who do not think with us.
have suffered too much from religious despot-
ism, not fully and cordially 10 hold the same
doctrine. The letters which, by Gods mercy,
j have been enabled to break, | would rather
die than help 10 riyet upon fellow-christian. !"
This would do very well, had it not the fol-
lowing tailpiece:
But the power which made me groan in
protracted bondage, is striving TO obtain di-
rect influence in This Governments and cannot
regard such efforts with apathy. For myself,
have nothing to fear, but deem it debt of
gratitude TO volunteer my testimony in the great
pending cause, that it may be weighed against
the studied and colored evidence of such writ
ers, as would disguise the true character of the
spiritual tyranny, whose fierce grasp have elu-
ded. Indeed would never have shown myself
in the field of controversy, but for the appear
ance Of book evidently intended to divert the
public from the important, and, to me, indubi-
table fact, that sincere Roman Catholics cannot
conscientiousy be tolerant. How far, my dear
sir, you are convinced Of this, cannot take up
on myself to say; but am sure you viii allow,
that if such be the real character of Catholi-
cism, the only security of liberation must be a
certaindegree' OF intolerance, in regard to its
enemies; as prisons in the freest governments
are necessary for the preservation Of freedom"
In this we observe, that the Rev. writer as
serts il to be an ipdu5ito5Le fact that sincere Ro
man Catholics cannot conscientiousky be folerant
Ttnar their religion spiritual tyranny that it is
striving to obtain direct influence in the Bri-
fish government; that he cannot regard its ef-
forts with apathy; that he deems it necessary
for him to serve in the great pending cause: viz.
the discussion of the Catholics claims to civil
and religious liberty; that he deems il as ne
cessary'o have certain degree of intolerance
against Catholics as to have prisons. Thus his
ohject, evidently, from his own declarations, is
to prevent Catholic emancipation; TO keep the
British Catholics politically incarcerated; and
the manner in which he will contribute TO this
END will be by giving what he calls the real
character of Catholicism.
The Rev. writer would find some difficulty in
reconciling his contradictions "ihat he would
rather die than help 10 rivet letters upon fell
low-christian," that he has volunteered his
services to help to keep his fellow christians in
civil and political incarceration under free and
tolerant government, which has prosecuted and
still AFFECTS It's subjects for adhering to the an
Client religion of the founders of that govern
ment ITSELF"
But, my friends, were 10 dwell upon every
contradiction ofthis liberal persecutor, l should
indeed have long series Of letters to write.
One specimen mSre, and shall have done with
his dedication. After candidly stating, in al.
appearance, the truth, in the outset, viz: that
his principal motive was what ne calls gene
rous impulse of gratitude 10 save generous
country, he next tells us that such was not the
motive; for, in truth, his work is only ,ndirectl
connected herewith; and although his obiec
was, that his testimony in the "eREAr PENDING
CAUSE, should be weighed against the studied
and colored evidence" of the advocates Of Cath
olics, yet the parliamentary question abou
the claims of the Romano a,hoiics is by no means
the object the which he had in view whilst writ
ihg."
II have thus far thought it necessary L
touch upon the political question with whicl
my works. indirectly connected. l say ind
yectA, because the parliamentary question ahou
the claims OF the Roman Catholics is by n
means the object which have had in vie,
wniie writing. 1 viii not deny that should