Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-04
VOL. VIIE--No. G1.

TO immortality; for If il DO from God our exertions
mi prove unav?ng m arresting its progress, if
centuries that have rolled by, present very favour
aDio earnest OF the future stability Of Catholicity.
LEI us come now to your preliminary rcmarks,
ushcrinS IN tho article Sunday Schools. OF
sunday Schools accordr. TO their original de sign,
am an ardent advocate. On the plan suggested
nhe the test OF every thing human will either point
OUT us insuiiiciency, or by proving it's excellence,
WIN establish ts clalm to puhc patronage. Whilst
with yon lament tho pcrversion in several instan
ces oil these excellent institutions; still would
"iinu you that they owe their origin to distin-,
guisheu Prelate OF the Catholic Church, of that
church which you accuse OF disseminating sslayish
dognas" To Charles Borromco, Archbishop of
iia we are at present indebted for these institu-
lions SO excellent when conducted according to
their original design. In establishing these Sum
day Schools for the Instruction of such as had but
little opportunity, during the week of acquiring
even Hunted information, Borromeo called near his
person. many OF tho most distinguished scholars of
:hiiani and induced them to undertake these truly
benevolent Institutions, that remarks this learn
ga blograPhcr, IN short time Borromeo had the
happiness OF seeing many similar establishments
arising IL, various parts of Italy thus crowninp the
many yiItues' of his usefst lie both at home and
abroad by this act of benevolent the youth
10 the following passage of your preliminary OBJ
seFvations my pttention was in special manner
attracted. How" you ask, is itsrtiJat the Rof
man Catholic Clergy acquire that influence, which
In Roman Catholic countries has been ever found
omnipotonti and tho question thus propounded, YOU
answer by second nterrogatory. How but that
" the s!avish dogmos OF that church stamped
y upon the mind Of infancy with impression UNI
Z" assaiable and uuerasabieH by reason and argut
g nent." The Catholic Church teaches no slavisft
doginas--it is not therefore, by intoxicating such
principles, that her clergy, have acquired their me:
rated influence over the youth committed to their
chaTge o gcntemen-but by their untiring ex-
erons to advance ;heir pupils in the paths of lite-
rutnre and science; loading them onward from the
very rudneuts OF infant knowledge to the sublimest
heights of astronomy impressing them as they as.
cended each literary graduation, with the importance
OF accompanying science with morality and virtue,
instiiling into theis youthful and ardent beasts,
that love for the institutions of their country,
that "amor patrGL" particularly characteristic
OF the Universities and Colleges of the T. States.
was 1t the ''slavish dogmas" of the Catholic
Church taught, as you would tell us at St. OncFs.
that urged tho last surviving relic of the heroes of
'1b-thut .ultimus Romenorum tho venerable
Carroll OF !lton, to hazard Princes wealth.
and even life ITSELF in vndicaton of his countrys
rights2 Such nputation, if any tbing could
obscure the coudless evening of his life, would
sully the fair flowers Of peace and happiness
which strew the brief remainder of his glorious
course; he was an inmate of st. Omers and Liege.
Vas 1t the slavish enets Of Catholicily, taught at
St. Omers, that actuated tile iustrious John Car
roll lst Archbishop of Baltimore, in his mission of
oeneYoience to his brethren of the United States?
the friend of Washington-but his mission has
ended, and ne has long since been gathered to his
fathers. 1t, however, are stranger to his pIoyy
ing patriotism, would refer you to his funeral
our common country. He too inmate of ST
Omers. Is 1t the same slavish dogmas that prompt
The iar-tamed and interchangeable champion of civil
and religious liberty Kings pride and MINISTER'S
glory" Daniel OConncll, TO stand forth the stren
uous and Incorporating defender of his countrys
rghts' He also, for the times required it, was ed.
ucated at s.. Oners .,
Are not the Poles, who are now strurgIing in tha
sacred cause of liberty, against the despotic en-.
croachmcn's Of the giant of the North, and whose
glorious achievements edern the columns of this
days Journal--are not they Catholics? They arc,
DO they seem to he the victims of what YOU ara
pleased TO term the slavsf dogmas of Catholic
taith2 Motor they know their religion well, and
they know too, that no such slavish dogmas were
eyer neuicated by the Catholic Church.
In conclusion, you renark--"Lct religion -four
ish--et the Christian religion ouris--let Baptists
fourish-Presbyterian flourish, &5c-let all -four.
lsh." In the word all, including even Catholics I
presume, although may be here inclined to APP
plaud your liberality, have but little to say in IA
vor OF your consistency for if the Catholic Church
disseminate ''slavlsh dogmas," you can scarcely
wish that it should flourish. I conclude by obsery
ing, that she who would another fairly represent.
must study well his character and manners'' S.