North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-20

lelt alone to prostitute their sacred mission
on the altar OF suhsefviency TO British des-
poiism. il would occupy too much space
sne time but suffice it TO say, that the
eondeckof the priests, who from this pc
find, bryan TO preach politics from the
pulpit, called forth the expression OF pub
Iic opinion on their conduct, and in way
which plainly showed that the Canadian
people were not priest-ridden, as is so often
asserted. We shah herewith give 10 our
readers certain resolves on the interference
Of The Catholic Clergy in political matters;
land we venture To say that people who
can speak thus TO their own clergy, are far
from being unduely Influenced by their
ministers, and are worthy Of enjoying civil
and religions liberty, TO the full extent OF
those magical words.
We give the names Of those who moved
and seconded these resolutions, as they
were Canadians, and consequently attach
ed 10 the Church Of Rome il will show
that in Canada the people may follow the
creed, and not be the abject slaves of their
ministers.
Some Curates in the County Of Vau-
dreuil, having began to intrigue in their
official character, in behalf OF the British
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ofthe province, against
the invaded rights Of the people, a, q
County Meeting, held at Vaudreuil, on
the 9th day of August, 1887, on motion
Of Mr.. .antoine Lanthier, seconded by
Mr.. Purcell, the following Resolution was
unanimously adopted -
Resoiped, That Religion was not in
stltuted by its divine author, with the de-
sign OF making j; an engine of political in
| trigues, nor an instrument Of party con-
Germs, nor OF opposition TO the moral wants
OF the people, aud that, although we are
sincerely attached to its sacred institutions,
yet we solemniy declare that the opposition
manifested by any of its ministers to the
privilege we derive from the constitution
10 meet and TO adopt resolutions for the
welfare OF our country, shall be looked on
as an attack upon, and u usurpation of our
political rights, and as deserving the deep
dsapproval OF all rational and unprejudiced
men,"
| The .Minerve, French radical paper,
printed and published in Montreal, speak
ing Of political sermon preached by the
Rev. Mr.. Lamothe, priest and curate OF
Ste. Anne, who in the pulpit had spoken
very lengthiy against the mania, as he
called it, Of the Canadians to meet and
discuss their political rights, says in an
editorial paragraph on the 18th August :
eodem ammo.
I" We have received several communi-
cations, on the attempts made by the par
tsans of bum-burocr acy and of passive
obedience, 10 prevent the people from at
tending public meetings. These attempts
which are as ridiculous as they are
Ruthless, succeed no where. The people
every ,ohere despise them"
At sitting Of the permanent and Gen.
trail committee Of Montreal, held on the
l7th August, eoden,-anno on motion Of
Captain Paul Cote, of Riviere des Prai-
ries, seconded by Medard Laporte, oil
Poinie aux Trembles, it was resolved -
" That, our religion was established by
our divine master as a guide 10 the moral
government Of men; and not as an instru-
ment Of inl,igues in the hands Of any po-
liiicaI party, we disapprove and formally
protest against all attempts Of its ministers
against our political hts and privileges,
inasmuch as such conduct on their part
does not become their holy ministry and
tends inevitably to bring contempt on an
establishment which by social habits, and
by our own desire, We are obliged TO res
lpect."
At a meeting Of the Pensioners OF ST.
Ignace, Coleau du Lac, and of ST. Poly
carpe or Nouvelle Longueuil, in the coun'
ty of Vaudreuil, held on the llth Sept.
following, the interference Of the Catholic
Clergy 10 political matters. was again dis
cussed, and after a spirited debate, the fol-
lowing Resolution was unanimously adopt
ed,
On motion Of Mr.. Joachim Clement, Sc
conded by Mr. Joseph HenauH,