Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-09-29
SPECTATOR.
Nj ESsRs. EDIToRs:

Nj ESsRs. EDIroRs:
40 not know that il is necessary TO make
any reply 10 the structures of a Protesi
ing upon Puhlius," for he has So en-
tirely and maniiestly misunderstood his OH
Jeci, that il must he obvious to all but Lest
his motives should he misunders food by q
Tiers also, permit him TO make a few re-
marks:
1t rs one of the mast glorious provisions Of
our constitution, that every man NAV wor-
snip Gou alter his own manner, and would
he among The foremost To shed my life's blood
IN defence of any onc-he he Protestant. or
he he Catholic, who should he prosecuted ON
account ei his religion solely. AS rcii-
gtouS sect, the Catholics have as many and
rs unaiIenable rights as any other sect in a
merica, but as SION as they meddle it'll 40.
! ltIcs as sect, as Cathoiics,-it is righ,-i,
Is incumbent upon US TO look 10 il and pu, il
down al once.
Suppose that the Presbvterians. upon the
eve Of some important election, should pub
'Ish placard calling upon all Presbyterians
TO he united, and 10 throw all their influence
INTO such a scale a. would enable them Ia &C.
'ahiISh Presbyicranism as the religion nf
The land. Would not the whole country rise
IN arms AT such base attempt 10 suhvert the
Constitution? Ought not every freeman TO
irown Indignantly upon il, however loud the
cry OF religious persecution" might he rails
ed: Yet here is a multitude of foreigners.
who know scarcely a single feature Of our
government or our Institutions, coming out
publicly as Catholics and avowing their de
termination and expectation Of establishing
foPery ny THEIR voT ss, and hen we cal!
The attention OF the people OF Virginia To the
tact, we are rebuked for "kihdIing the fires
OF religious persecution ~ II "a Protest
ant Wing" will a,tentively re peruse ''Pub-
lius' he will find that Mr.. Van Buren, is not
charged with being q Catholic himself
(though if we may Judge from his last par
agraph, he seems TO lean 10 that opinion or at
least 10 defend HIM if he is, and that we
make no attack upon the Roman Catholics
However, we do assert that Martin Van Blu
rem has manifested subserviency TO The pone
OF Rome, unhecoming republican, in hupes
oil securing the votes Of the vast multitude
OF Catholic foreigners that are crowding in
upon uS--and that these foreigners, particu-
larry IN New York, are calculating npon the
establishment OF Popery, 10 some degree al
least, by his election. w do assert that there
is danger to our liberties, and we have
right 10 expose the means by which foreign
DeSpols hope To gain an interest in our gov
eminent, and finally 10 overthrow ii. We
believe that there are many upright, patriot
&c Catholics IN our country, who would spurn
any thing like dictation either from Priest
or party, and who support General Harrison
from principle. These must hold in as utter
Geieslaiion as we do, the conduct of him W no
hescends to every art, TO curry favour with
line most Iiliteraie portion of their sect, wi no
oy their ignorance of our institutions are fit
SUBJECTS Tor imposition. From Americans
we have little 10 fear,--hut, my counlrymen,
BE WARE OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE.
PUBLIUS.