The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-03
BISHOP ENGLAND,s LETTER.


friend has called'our attention to the letter
of Bishop England published In the Republican
Of Monday. We insert it below.
To those who know us we need not say that |
the perusal has given us great pain. We are
aware that there is deep and abiding preju- |
dice against Catholicism, and that many believe |
that there is well arranged plan on the part of
Catholic monaSchies in the old world to revolu-
tionise our government by the introduction of
Catholic emigrants.
The Protestant community have been warned,
swell from the pulpit as from the press, that
the money expended in getting up schools, as
well as that used in sending pauper and ether
Catholic population to this country, is part of a
system which, looking to the nature of our in
stitutiens, contemPlates great religious as well
as civil revolution by the means of imported Ca
tholc votes 1t is also believed that the publica-
ton OF Van Bursn's letter to the Pope got him
Catholic votes at the late election. 1t was, there
fore,with great pleasure that we read the pastor
al letter addressed to the Catholics as a body,
admonishing them to moderation in political dis
cussions. 1t was under the influence Of the Pc
rusal Of that letter that orr article in reference
to the act Of the Lord Projectors establishing
Religious liberation in Maryland, was penned.-
That article has brought us more than one letter
calling upon us to open press, against the
Catholic influence and one imputating our not
dsing so to desire to conciliate Catholic votes
We have forborne to notice these letters, because,
until the result of the Illinois elections and this
letter of Bishop England,w had seen nothing in
the progress of the canvass, to justify belief
that any attempt to bring the CathtHss as body
to vote for MIR. Van Buren,, would receive the
countenance of the Catholic clergy, or of any
distinguished member of that body.
We regret the publication of this letter, be-
cause there are those who will find in it, consi-
dering the relation which Bishop England bears
to the Pope and to the Catholics of this country,
Git is said that he has been designated by the
Pope, SEES INQUISITOR General of the Uni
ted States,0 confirmation of their worst fears.
and because we greatly regret that one &C.
cupying SO important place in the Catholic
Church should have used expressions, which,
however correct of themselves, will be connect
ed with the political and party discussions, and
receive an Interpretation, conveying unmerited
imputations, calculated to blend religious faith
with party zeal, and thus embitter political
controversy already too mach excited.
While speaking on this subject, we take the
occasion to say, that whatever may be the dreams
OF religious enthusiasts abroad, we have no ap-
Prehension that any scheme to establish any sec
tartan religion in this country, can ever prevail
Where there is so much zeal and system, it
would be surprising if the Catholic clergy abroad,
did net avail themselves of the wide field pre- |
sented to them in the fertile regions of the west,
to extend what they believe to be the true faith.
1t is the principle on which other Christian de-
nominations act, and they have as much right |
as Frotestants to erect schools, to send out Mis-
sionaries, and to digest schemes of proselytism |
FMS Is their duty, and so long as the Catholic |
ciergy believe that theirs is the true faith, thew
Wal exert themselves to extend that faith. II is
eniy when we find those who exercise spiritual
control, like that of Bishop England. putting
aside his pEeseF robes and entering the field Of
politics, as he ls 1hne in this instance, that we
feel called upoh<SsKamine how far that spiritual
control is calculated to exercise an undue inau-
ence over the minds Of men, and to call upon all
good Catholics, well as Protestants, to resist II.
We are the advocates of ToLERATIoN-
we ara for federation in politics as well as IN
1sng'onj but we cannot close our eyes to the
net that the elections in Illinois have been car
Hsd iof the Administration by the imported
Sasnolse voters. We cannot close our ewes to
TIE fact, that MI. Van Buren, is in a condition to
make any sacrifice to secure his reelection. and
that his rartisans in Illinois have obtained tb;.
.foTeiss, Catholic aid, by an appeal to the mas
sions and Prejadices Of men, whose residence IN
The country had not qualified them to understand
0ur institutions, and that they were permitted to
vote, before they had become citizens, or relin-
pushed their allegiance to foreign govern
menf.
We VIII add word more We are sensible
hat 10 political press in this city has dared
. sPssk out on this subject, under bslisf that
-ssst renld y y 2 Esjsdiss the private in.