The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-26

instead of supporting their true position, have
yielded to the Influence, ard united with Bishop
England and his associates to anathem1tize this
press. They had connected themselves with the
! Pilot, by recommending it to the patronage OF
the public. 1t became necessary, as they sup
| posed, not only to disavow all responsibility on
heir part for what had SAID in relation to Bishop
| England, but to censure me--to dunounce
ny paper. And they have done So think
that they have acted unwisey de not believe
hat the influence of Bishop England and the
ther agents of the Catholic despots of Europe
Il the United States, has already reached pon.
| when they can put free press under the BAH
do not believe that the time has vet arrived,
when they hold the political destinies of the
country in their hanls-when their dcuuncia-
ton shall have all the power which once belong
ed to the Pope in bcnighted Catholic E.---.ae
[ do not believe that these gentlemen have all OF
! them deliberately ma;urrd, indeed under
stood the bearing of the address which bears their
names. | cannot believe that they would have
so far compromised their own character and in.
| dependence, or have knowingly done me the in
Justice which they have done, il they had under
stood the question in all its bearings, and had
been themselves fully informed in relation t, it.
But great as is the injustice which has been
done me, accustomed as am TO believe that aIG
who rules the destinies of natinnsD has preserved
the liberties of thus country by the special inter.
| position of his Divine Providence, | am encour-
aged to hope that this injustice done to me, as
/ ..,l;
energies of the American people, and to grouse
them to a sense of the impending Danger IT.
| indeed, the time has already come, and now is
when the power of the Popes Legatc in this
country can be brought TO bear with such inhu-
ence upon our political condition; il the press,
ligious liberty, is thus TO be assziled and denounc-
ed; If, in addition to the power of his immediate
adherenty. Protestant men distinguished for
their attachment to our Tree institutions, shall
be made the inst uments of carrying out the
e1icts of this dsspotic foreign power; il the re-
pltation of mdividuals,as we'll as tie freedom of
the press, to be sacrificed to this foreign iniu-
ence--it is tixe that we should awaken-it is |
lime that every Protestant, wherever he may be,
whatever may he his political opinions-how- |
ever much he may have differed with his brother |
as to men and measures, should awaken to the
great question of religious liberty involved in
tins controversy.
1t apparent that i in this, or any other cleo
IN, the c ,th vi IS, as billy, are permitted to
throw their whole weight as to advance their |
religions creed, and all other parties conccde to
them tire privilege Of rallying, party, and |
denounce the press because it ventures to lisp |
word against il-thi+ fact alone constitutes the
most alarming political. revolution, establishing
at ence a. union of tlsaAt Church AID the State
The proceeding of she Central Committee in
relation 20 this press, and the action Of te gen
tiemen on that committee, some of whom.ar re my
personal friends, and ever whom the Catholics,
as such, have no personal influence, shows to
what an alarming extent their influences, as
political bsdy, has already attained.
The question is now Submitted to the.Aneri-
can people, and it is or them to say whether
they will sat by and calmly look upon this at |
tempt to sustain the Catholic religion asa poll
teal influence; and how far they will recognize
the anathcsnas of Bishsi, England, proAulgate
as the agent Of the I.eopoldine association, or
ganized and directed By the Emperor al. Austria
and Prince Metternich.
/ For myself, am but a single iadiv dual
Whatever of talent, industry, and enrgy pos
sess, will be devoted to the discussion of this
question and all its bearings upon tie civil and
religious liberty OF this country, if kshould but
receive from the Azseriean people the means Of
| sustaining inde pendent press And looking
to the great interests involved in Ills controyer-
sy, canntt believc that the desc sndants of our,
Pilgrim Fathers are so lost to the principles
which impeled their ancestors to leave bona
and country for the sake Of rel sious liberty, as
that they will abandon the defence of our inv
valuable Institutions without a struggle.
For mysel2, will not faltar in the discharge
of my duty, The manner in which have been
tr, ated by the Central Coramittee, will in no.
wise inAusnce my course iD relation to TIE Pre-
sidcntial election. Nothing which they, or any
member Of the party can do say of me, viii
prevent me from supporting the mes and tho
measurcs which my Judgment approves. For
the members Of the Iommitte, entertain no
unkind feelings. They have acted under the
impulse of the moment, and have done what
they believe necessary to advance the interests
OF the party they represent. I think they have
erred; that they have greatly erred. But they
are as much entitled to their opinions a, am to
mine. What complain of is, that they have
done me great injustice | am sure, tina go far
as the Committee are concerned, thew have bad
no such intention. BY disavewing my acts, they
have done me a favor. They have demonstrated
that fer what have done alone am respsnsi-
ble-that have acted independently, as the con.
ductor Of free press, under solemn sense of
public duty. But they have not presented truly
the issue,--they represent me as opposed 10 reli-
gious federation when am it's adyocatc-tllay