The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-23

VnGP
one for the manner in which might conduct IT.;
and that wished it to be distinctly understood
that my object was to advance the public inter
ests, regardless of the cliques and under cur
rents by which we were surrounded; and that in
this view, preferred taking my own private
means to establish the paper, relying up the
patronage which the public might voluntarily
give, and therefore released the Committee from
all obligation in relation to the press, except the
obligation to support, in good faith, free press
devoted to the advancement of our common end
This interview had the effect of harmonizins the
Committees; and in consequence, they Vo'unta-
rlly proposed and adopted resolutions strongly
recommending the paper to the patronage OF the
party. This statement is due to myself, as well
as to a right understanding of the relation be-
tween the Committee and myself.
1 now proceed to state the question at issae
between US, and upon which they have denounced
me and my paper. At convention OF Bishops
of the Catholic Church, held in this city, they
issued pastoral letter, from which the follow
ing is an extract:
Beloved Brethren, fee from this contamina-
ton; keep aloof from these crimes-reaect that
YOU are accountable, not only to society, but to
God, for the honest, fearless, and independent
exercise Of your own franchise; that it is trust
conGded to you, not for your private gain, but
for the public good, and that, il yielding to any
undue influence, YOU either through favor or al
fiction, On the motive OF dishonest gam, against
your own deliberate views Of what will promote
your country's good, you have violated your
trust, and you have betrayed your conscience,
and you are renegade to your country.
1t will be seen that while this extract asserts
a truth from which no one will dissent, its force
depends entirely on its application. 1t requires
the me lnbers of the Catholic Church TO vote IN
der the high obligation OF religious duty; and, /
believe, is the first attempt in this country to
exercise the power of the Church as political
body. Extracts from the pastoral letter Were
extensively circulated through the political
press. Accustomed for years to guard the clta-
del of public liberty with vigilance, and to ex-
anime we'll the bearing of every new proposition
Il looked on in silence, until Bishop England,
the reputed author Of the pastoral address, came
out openly as the advocate of the existing adj
ninistration. Under such circumstances could
not but consider his Columbus letter a supple-
ment to the pastoral address, and these, taken
together, as an open attempt to BRING the whole
authority of the Church into the field of politics;
and speaking upon the subject, l said:-
If ''from any cause, any religious sect should
combine and throw their weight, IN body,
in behalf of any political candidate, it is an
argument why others, differing with them in
opinion, should oppose the candidate, whom
they may thus combine to support. And if
it should so turn oUt that, under the influ-
ence Of Bishop England's letter, or any other
cause whatsoever, the Catholics as body, should
unite in behalf of MIR. Van Buren,, il will be-
come the duty Of every Protestant to unite, not
only to resist MIR. Van Buren,, but to resist Cath
olicism.o
To this Bishsp England took great exceptions.
and declared that this proposition to resist Cath
oIicism as political influence, was proPSsit'o
to erte7naisaate the Catholics, and great excite
ment was produced in this city. The Central
Committee appointed subcommittee to wait
upon me, and was told that they entertained
great apprebensions that the Wing ticket would
be defeated, not only in this clty, but Throughout
the State, in consequence Of my remarks, anC
the relation which bore to the party. To Thu!
committee replied, that, in the first place,
could not admit any right in the Central Com
mittee, as such, to call in question the Hanne
in which l conducted my pepper, and Preteste'
against the form of proceedings which they hat
adopted / told them that with the members d
give me pleasure to confer; that they were no
more anxious than l to pryanote the success 0
the ticket, and that no member of theecommit
tee or of the party would make greater sacri
fees of money or of feeling to promote il.
took the liberty Of referring to the past TO de
monstrate this, and they admitted, in my pre-
sence. that the whole contributions of the part
in the city of Baltimore had not been equal t
the sum which had been compelled to advsnc
from my own private means in support OF tn
paper.
But | told them that tt ey had presented thi
question in a new aspect. dad not believe
with the committee, that my structures on Bist
op England's conduct would e:danger the sue
cess of the party. So far from it, believed thai
It was one of the strongest arguments that could
be urged against the election Of Mr.. Van Buren,
but If the committee could satisfy me that Bish
op England's influence had already reached
point where it was dangerous to discuss his at
tempt to bring the Catholic Church, as body
in support of candidate for the Presidency. i
would become my duty to resist its influence
with all the means in my power. proposed
however, to disavow for the coz - tee any re
sponsibility for my editorial course, and drew
up at once statement to that effect, which thel
said was sufficient, inasmuch as it presented tn
/ question fairly to the public.
In the mean time, Bishop England continued
to illuminate his anathemas against me. His or