The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-10

! ing of the Convention, adopted with great unanl-
nifty, and persons were appointed in each ward to
obtain subscribers. The assurances received in
duced me to commence the publication. One Of
the measures adopted at the organization OF the
party, was to call a State Convention. The
chief measure adopted by that Convention was
the appointment Of a State Central Committee.
twas first proposed that this Committee should
consist of seven persons; but the proposition to
increase the City Central Committee by the ad-
| dition of eight new members, with power to any
light to act, finally prevailed. The announce
ment of the new members of the Committee gave
great dissatisfied on saw that there were secret
gres and pr ate jealousies, which were difficult
to be reconcied, and resolved for myself, to have
no part or lot in them but if possible, without be-
coming identified with either, to concentrate the
energies of all in the common cause, the success
of which, l was anxious to promote, and hence,
| resolved to appropriate some private funds
which l had intended for other uses, to the sup
port Of the paper, and to relinquish my claim
upon the party for the advance which the had
stipulated to make.
The City Committee having required the State
Central Committee to fulfil the obligations which
the old Committee had contracted with me,
subcommittee was appointed to wait upon me,
and ascertain what those obligations were. To
this Committee l said, that my desire was to
harmonic the action of the party; that intend
ed to do all in my power to promote 1T; that l
regretted to find jealousies, private views and
disrust existing; that for my own part l par
took of none, and would not become the instru-
ment of either; that the paper would be free and
independents; that would be responsible to no
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 harmonizing the
Committees; and in consequence, they volunta-
recommending the paper to the patronage of the
party. This statement is due to myself, as well
as to right understanding of the relation be-
tween the Committee and myself
l now proceed to state the question at issue
between US, and upon which they have denounced
me and my paper. At a convention of Bishops
of the Catholic Church, held in this city, they
,;,I, 10
ing is an extract:
Beloved Brethren, flee from this contamina-
ton; keep aloof from these crimes-refect that
you are accountable, not only to society, but to
God, for the honest, fearless, and independent
exercise eff your own franchise; that 1t IS trust
confded to you, not for your private gain, but
for the public good, and that, If yielding to any
undue influence, you either through favor or at
lection, or the motive of dishonest gain, against
your own deliberate views of what will promote
your countrys good, yon have violated your
trust, and YOU have betrayed your conscience,
and you 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 its application. 1t requires
the members Of the Catholic Church to vote un-
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 cita-
del of public liberty with vigilance, and to eX-
anime well the bearing of every new proposition
i looked on in silence, until Bishop England
the reputed author of the pastoral address, came
out openly as the advocate of the existing adj
ministration. Under such circumstances l could
not but consider his Columbus letter 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, said
If F'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 infu-
ence of Bishop England's letter, any other
cause whatsoever the Catholics as a body, should
unite in behalf of Mr.. Van Buren,, it will be-
| come the duty of every Protestant to unite, not
only to resist Mr. Van Buren,, but to resist Cath.
olcism.'
To this Bishop England took great exceptions,
and declared that this proposition to resist Cath
olicsm as political influence, was proposition
to eateyninate the Catholics, and great excite
ment was produced in this city. The Central
Committee appointed subcommittee to wait
i upon me, and was told that they entertained
great apprehensions that the Wing ticket would
be defeated not only in this city, but throughout
the State, in consequence of my remarks, and
the relation which bore to the party. To this
committee replied, that, in the first place,
could not admit any right in the Central Com
mittec, as such, to call in question the manner