North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-06-03

refugees TO return 10 Canada, under the
protection Of permits TO that effect from
the Governor himself, who was then kept in
constant alarm by the news he received Of
an intended invasion by the refugees
why, they were hooted and laughed at
by The refugees, the great majority Of
whom belonged TO their church. IL is an
Illusion, which was spread by our enemies,
Tor certain obvious purposes, and which
the American people have swallowed with
the creates. avidity. At this time, there is
no such thing in Canada as priestly infu-
ence in political matters. The very fact
that the whole French population are rad
icals, and all wish at heart 10 see the
end Of British rule in Canada, whilst we
can count more than half dozen Roman
priests in that country who partake the
political sentiments of their flock, is, in
our opinion, convincing and incontrover-
tibie proof, that the Canadians do not an
low themselves 10 be dictated by their
ministers ia political concerns, but consult
the good OF their country before listening
10 any other advice.
Their conduct during the revolutionary
war OF '76, where, as now DAYS, the
Catholic Clergy was arrayed against the
well known wishes OF the mass OF the peo-
pie, shows that then as well as now, the
Canadians acted totally independent and
in open contempt Of their minister's ad-
vice.
The last authority we shall cite to prove
that the Canadians are far from being
priest-ridden, will be an extract taken
from a public letter signed .Mutips, TO His
Excellency the Honorable Charles Poulett
Thomson, The present Governor General
of the Canadas, on the subject of an Or
dinance which is on the eve OF being passed
by the Special Council, in favour OF in
Identifying the catholic priests, of the ST.
Sulpce Seminary Of Montreal, for the
gradual extinction of the feudal tenure on
the island Of Montreal, of which they are
the Seigniors. 1t is asserted by some that
the English government urges this mea-
sure, which will prove profitable to the
priests, because they are DESTROYS Of Sc
curing the good will Of the Catholic Cler-
gy, who have given so many proofs Of
their unequivocal loyalty to crown whose
sole existence in Canada is the very life of
that reverend body.
The extract which we give below clear
Iy establishes the fact that the poltica in
huence OF the Catholic Clergy in Canada,
over their focks, is null. II is found in
the Montreal Morning Courier of SOth
March last -
Here, is another cause Of anxiety, in
regard 10 this Ordinance. have stated
one cause, in preceding paragraph -
this is another. Were there the proper
spirit of freemen, throughout the mass Of
my fellow-countrymen, | should care but
little, for the bias of your ExceIlency's
mind, towards the claims Of the Seminary.
Why this bias, ii will be asked :-Ah 1!
this, | am apprehensive, is the dark spot in
your policy. You, Sir believe, that the
Roman Catholic Priesthood possess great
influence over the population that this
influence may be exercised, prejudicially
TO Imperial objecis-and will be,-unless
the goblet of pecuniary reward be regalIy
full /, Sir ! believe very differently. For
merry, ] thought as, fear. your Excel
lency now thinks but, have been an
inter ested spectator of the erents Of the
last five years,-and appeal TO those
erenis, as facts, damning To the fidelity Of
the French Canadians, and damnatory 10
the existence OF that influence, your Ex-
cellency believes, the Priests possess over
them. Sir you are told so, by them,
and their adherents,-by the bigotted, and
designing, but, what say facts.
" Facts are chiefs that Wilma ding"
is the remark of Poet, but there is moth
ing poetical in the remark.
Facts Sir Facts proclaim, trum-
pet-tongued the baselessuess of any
such Influence ;-but, God Of Heaven! il
they do possess snch an influence, are you
about 10 lend yourself, so that an influence
as disgracelul. TO the objects Of its action,
as 10 the engineers who move it's springs,