Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-06-03
Mr.. VAN BUREN'S CORRESPON
DENCE WITH THE POPE.
From The New York Daily .AdUerti-

As much curiosity exists 10 see this
correspondence, we make a few ex.
tracts for the qualification Of our rea :
ders. Mr.. Cicognani, the American
/ Consul at Rome, wrote letter 10 Mr.
Van Buren,, dated May l, 1880, in
which hs Informs him of his official
visit to the Pope. "His holiness re.
ceivel me-" says Mr.. Cicoguani, "in
The most benign manner, and expires.
sed the most favorable sentiments for
the government, as well as for the ma
tion of The United States Of AIneri.
ca"
The following is Mr.. Van Buren's
reply TO Mr.. CicOgnani, and we have
ltalicised some remarkable passages:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, I
Washington, 2Olh July, 1880. :
FeIir Cicognani Consul Of the u
States at Rome.
Sir-Your letters of the llth Of
April, aud the Isl of May, the first an
ticipsting the favorable sentiments Of
bis Holiness the Pope, towards the
government of the United States, and
last, confirming your anticipations,
have been received at this department
and submitted to the President, by
whom | am directed 10 convey to his
Holiness, through the same channel,
en- assurance Of the satisfaction
which he derives from this conmuni
cation, Of the frank and liberal opin.
ions entertained by the Apostolic See
towards this Government and the peo
pie, and Cfthe policy a0hiCh you like
wiSe state his holiness has Od0pted,
and which IS so tcorthy Of the head
0fa great and Christian Church, as
sidiously to cultivate, in his intercourse
with foreign nations, the relations Of
amuy and good will, sedulously to ab
stain from all interference in their oc
casionaI differences with each other,
except with the benign view of efec.
ting reconcliationS between them.
You will accordingly seek an early
opportunity TO make known TO the
Pope, in the terms and manner better
suited TO the occasion, the light in
tOiich the President views the commu
nication referred to, and Likewise you
will assure him that the President
Teciprocates to their full ertent and
spirit, the friendly and liberal Senti'
ments entertained by his holiness TO
aoards the Government and the pee
pie Of the United States, by those
which he entertains towards the Apo:
) tolic See, and the People of the State
, Of The Church.; andfG is the President
wish that you should, on the same o.
casion, offer his congratulations Il
the Holy Father, upoa his recent SD
cession TO the Tiara, not from am
Hereditary claim on his part, b"
the prepondering influence sChich
7 Just estimate Of his talents and Vi'
, tues had upon the enlightened coun
n ciLs by which that high distinction wa
e conferred, and which afford the bes
D pledge that his pontif .ats will be 1
r tOiSe end beae efcent one.
You will take care, likewise, TO a:
+. SIRE his Holiness, in reference to tn
S pQterndI Soiicitude ,6hich he eGprtS
ses in 6ehayof the Roman Catholic
{ in the United SsOteS, that all our Gil
7 zens protesting that religion stan
upon the same elevated ground whic
o citizens of all other religious denomi
nations occupy, in regard to the right
:. of conscience, that of perfect Liberty
!, contra-distinguished from toleratiOn
I that they enjoy an entire exemption
:, ; from coercion in every possible shape
upon the score of religious faith, an
they are free, in common with thei
= fellow citizens of all other sects, I
:, adhere or to adopt the creeds, and pra
: lice the worship, best adapted to lhei
reason or prejudiCes, and that ther
exists a perfect unity Of faith in tn
= United States among religionists Of a
professions, as to the wisdom and po
;, cy of that cardinal feature of all ou
constitutions and forms ofgovernmer
those Of the United States and the Sc
arate states of the Union, by whic
% % this inestimable right is formally ret
y Ognized, and the enjoyment Off inVi
y labIy secured.
n have gwen directions for the trar
IF mission to you of the acts of Congrei
n which you request, by the earlie
a. convenient opportunity.
G In the mean time, am, sir, reSpe'
10 fully,
Your obedient servant,
Tc;uroJN M VAN BIJREN.