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

| came hither Hatterlng myself with the eSpec-
tation that there existed at least freedom oil
thought. and liberty for any citizen to express
his opinions that the public officers OF the Union
were not guilty Of that notwithstanding which
was imputed to them by their competitors.
have been more than once convinced Of my
mistake; and il my religion and its professors sre
to be made the victimsof my imagining that in
our republic, Catholics, like other citizens, had
liberty of political opinions, expression and ac-
mer position; for the Orangeism in Ireland is
mercy compared to the insolence of those who
here insult us by their expressions of kindness
and condescension, whilst they threaten us with
determination unless we stoop TO be their slaves.
am aware, gentlemen, that they who are
thus disposed in our regard, do not form the ~
merican people, but knew that they are nnme-
rous and active, and should regret for the sake
of our republican institutions, that they had the
mower TO work their will. They woSld indeed
begin with the Catholics, but others would soon
feel the effects of their success.
take the liberty of sending you a couple of
papers which will show you the occasion of my
remarks.
Ihave the honor to be, gentlemen,
With great respect,
Your ob't servant,
T JOHN, Bishop of Charleston
II will be seen that he charges that threaten
Catholics with determination, and that he ex-
pressly says that he would prefer to be back
again in ireland, to the condition in which he
represents that he and his religion would DC
placed, If those whom he thus denounces had
the political power of this country
Could he have made stronger appeal to the
passions and prejudlces of those upon whom TINS
letter was designed to operate' 1t was saying
To them that the Wings were more intoiersnt
than Orangemen, and that their condition would
be worse in this country than 1t had been IN
Ireland, if GeR Harrison should be elected
Could words have been used more calculated to
enlist the Catholic Irish in the cause of the adj
ministration? That you may Judge OF the tone
of the Catholic press, make short extract
from their paper, published in Bostsn:
SeDuff Green, a man than to whom is not attach
e1 more unenvlable notoriety cannot be found ih
the whole length & breadth Of the land, vulntari-
" stems forth the assailer of and not only ISLANDERS
this universally esteemed and venerable Prelate,
but recklessly launches forth his anthemas on
the whole Catholic community, as deserving not
merely an the PENALTIES Of OUTLAWRY, but
as even 6t candidates OF the FELoN's CELL and
the GIBBEi-"
esTbe Catholics in this country, if until now
tbev have Tbeen1 in doubt as to which OF TIE
parties d the day they Elay find not only kin
drcd sympathy, but community OF feeling a1d
effort for the attainment of those great objects
Of ali human legislation, equal liberty, eqsal
ripbts. and freedom Of mind, will now have no
room TO hesitate We think they will not lsok
tamely on and see their pastors v2illhed, tAeir
faith insulted, their characters impeached, or
- boat nm D qY5ffh
inst i1,aig7latio, oil fellowship Grsd connection
Nth such parties as can justify By its patron
age commentaries the authors Of ISLANDERS so
gross and 7rrlntesited, as Duff Green upon
Bishop Englaad and osu Holy Religion"
These are indications taking with them their
own Interpretation. In former number, Ihave
quoted webster's definition, TO show the dis
tincton. between resist and erterSssndte. That
distinction Is so important to right understand
ing Of the question in issue that repeat them;
Webster says:
RESIST. v. t. 1. Literally, to stand against
to withstand; hence, TO act in opposition, or t.
oppose To strive against; to endeavor to'coun
teract defeat or Illustrate. To ba{fc, to 'disap
point.
| Having seen the defaition Of tae word "re
fist, Turn to the same authority for the'mean
ing of the word E'Exterminate" Webster says
EXTERNIINNTE ". t. l. To destroy utter
w, to dyive away; to extirpate. 2. To eradicate
to root out; to extirpate. g. To root 'out a
plants;to extirpate
So much for BishopfEngland. Now for hi
Boston echo.
! el9UTLAWRY." n. Putting man out o
the protection OF law, q the process by which
man is deprived Of that protection
To the Catholics | would say, that the ques
ton in issue between Bishop England and mysel
has not been fairly stated by him or by the com
mittee am charged with threatening you will
determination, and of wishing to deprive you o
the right to exercise YOU religious opinions anf
YOUR rirhts of conscience. The reverse Of these
charges is the truth | would protect your per
sons and secure your rights of conscience
have made no attack upon your religion dc
not propose to controvert your religious faith
What objc;t to is the conduct of Bishop Eng
land n -iideavorng to prostitute the spiritual
inGueuc Of the Church to political Purpeses-tc
blend the Church and State. You should re-
member that very large proportion of the Peo-
pie of the United States are Protestants. That
our knowledge of the ChG-ch of Rome aeriv-
ed from Protestant books; that we read and be-
lieve books which il is not lawful under the
rules of yoer Church for yeu TO read.
| The well informed Catholics must know ;4sat
there is an abiding jealousy among Protests~ts
AGAINST the abuses of the Casaolic Church in aus
exercise of civil power. To resist, therefore,
the attempt of Bishop England to cxerciscinil-
due influence over Catholic voters is to protect
YOU in your civil rights. 1t will not do for hii
to say that while he expresses the opinion that
the present administration should be maintained
in power, he leaves the minds Cd others free to
choose for themselves. We knew that his Off
cial station gives him an influence with very
large portion Of Catholic voters, more especially