Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-06-03
RELIGIOUS TEST.

OblCA Va " C''a'SN
States, an attempt was made by MS
bitterest political opponents to pro-
scribe him, by representing him as a
deist. This, it was thought, would
excite the different religious secIs
against him, and produce such revul
sion 10 public sentiment as TO defeat
his election. But all these exertions
Of his enemies failed of their desired
object, although they had conrlved,
in some instances, TO convert the sa.
cred pulpit into a political ro'rnm
aSsinst him. His honesty and IN cg.
rity raised him 10 the elevated station
10 which he aspired, and his machiOa
ting enemies dwinded into insignih
canoe before the popular feeling.
As with Mr. Jefferson, so with MIR.
Van Buren,. Some Of The opponents
Of the latter have endeavored 10 excite
various sreligious denominations against
him by representing him as being
member of the Roman Catholic
Church. The motive for such repre-
sentalious must easily be seen by
Catholics as we'll as all other denomi
nations of Christian, for it is nothing
= more nor less than an attempt TO de-
feat his election TO the presidency, as
in the case Of Mr.. Jefferson. ln order
TO shew that this is the design OF Mr.
Van Buren's enemies, we publish the
following letter from Hon. Aaron Van
derpoel, member of the House OF Rep
resentatives of the U. S. from the dis
trict ia which Mr.. Van Buren, was
born. The letter is in answer to one
from the Hon. Zadock Casey, mem
Der from Illinois; in which Mr.. Casey
made the enquiries therein answered
For ourselves, we do not support
or condemn a man for Office on &C
count of his religious opinions; we
leave him 10 settle that matter with
g his creator. We require Mr. Jeter-
sons test-"B he honest, IS he Cap0'
BILE is he faithful to the ConSt't"
IiOn."-OhiO Patriot.
WASHINGTON CITY, House Of Reps
80 April 9Th, 1896.
SIR
Ihave Just received your letter OF
4his date, requesting me to state Tor
The information Of certain citlzens oi
Illinois whether Mr. Van Buren, is or
has been member Of the Roman Cath
Ollie Church.
Agreeing with youin the great prin
ciple to which you re(eD as we'll al
also in the belief, that there can
notwithstanding, be no valid ohjec'
tions 10 have the fact upcn the poln
to which your inquiry relates truly
stated, [ cheeTluIIy comply with yos'
request
have been acquainted with Mr.
Van Buren and his family, from my
earliest recollection. ! was born 10
and now reside in Kinderhook, which
is the native town Of both Of IS. III
isnol, and never has been a Roma'
Catholic. That there may no longe
be any excuse for The further circsIa
tion of The statements which have al
ready been so extensively and indu
irlousIy spread upon this subject
have thought proper in fuiiment o
your wishes, 10 obtain his authority
DOR this declaration.
Mr.: Van Bsren was bred in the r
ligious principles of the Reform Pro
testant Duich Church, whose tenet
are similar to those of the old Presb!
terian Churches. Whilst he resides
in Kinderhook, this was the onl.
Church in the viIlagej his parents at
tended it, and he was baptised in i:
end until his removal TO the city O
Hudson, he was a regular attendan
on its services. There being no Dutc
Church in Hudson, and Mrs. Van Bu
ren becoming a member ofthe Presb.
terian Church at that place. he atten
. ded with his family, until her death
church Of that denomination, first
Hudson, and afterwards at Albany
under the care of the late Dr.. job
Chester. Since The death Of DR. Che
ter, which occurred, think, in III
beginning of 1929, he has been Pe'
holder in the Church, and has usual
attended when in Albany, on the mi
istratiOns of the Rev. DR.. Welch {
the Baptist Church, a selection whic
presume may be ascribed TO perSor
al friendship, and to the high chara
ter Of that distinguished cIergyma
for ability and elOquence.