The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-20

J~N~S@~SSo
disirust 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
independent; that l 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 eliques 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 pubic 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-
rlly proposed and adopted resolutions strongly
recommending the paper to the patronage of the
party This statement is due to myself, as well
asEto right understanding of the relation be-
tween the Committee and myself.
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
issued pastoral letter, from which the follow
ing is an extract:
seBeloved Brethren, flee from this contamina-
| ton; keep aloof from these crimes-rehect that
you are accountable, not only to society, but to
God, for the honest, fearless, and independent
exercise efyour own franchise; that 1t Is trust
confided to you, not for your private gain, but
for the public good, and that, il yielding to any
| undue influence, you either through favor af-
lection, or the motive OF dishonest gam, agaHs-
your own deliberate views of what will promote
your country's good, you have violated yeur
trust, and you have betrayed your conscience
and you are a 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 members of the Catholic Church to vote I'M
der the high obligation Of religious duty; and,
believe, is the first attempt in this country to
exercise the power of the Church political
body. Extracts from the pastoral letter were
extensively circulated through the political
press Accustomed for years to guard the eata-
del Of public liberty with vigilance, and TO sX-
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 ad-
ministration. Under suck 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, said:-
If e'from any cause, any religious sect should
combine and throw their weight, in a 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 ether
cause whatsoever, the Catholics as body, should
unite in behalf Of 1Ir. Van Buren,, it will be-
come the duty of every Protestant to unite, net
only to resist Mr.. Van Buren,, but to resist Cath
clicism."
To this Bishsp England took great exceptions,
and declared that this proposition to resist Cath
olicism as political influence, was proposition
to erte1ni,iGte the Catholics, and great excite
ment was produced in this city. The Central
Committee appointed a subcommittee to wait
upon me, and was teld that they entertained
great apprehensions that the Wing ticket wsutd
be defeated, not only in this eity but throughout
the State, in consequence Of nay remarks, and
the relation which bore to the party. TIE this
committee replied, that, in the first place, ]
could not admit any right in the Central Gem
mlttee, as such, to call in question the manner
in whish conducted my paper, and protested
| a. Of xyh
adopted told them that, with the members sl
the committee individually, it would at all times
give me pleasure to confer; that they were net
more anxious than To promote the success si
the ticket, and that no member 81 the e9wnit
, tee or of the party would make greater seeri
fees of money or of feeling to prsraste it.
1 | 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
0 in the city of Baltimore had not been equal Il
: the sum which had been compelled to advance
e from my own private means in support Of tti
| paper.
! But I told them that they had presented tai
question in a new aspect did not believe
, with the committee, that my structures en- Bish
op England's conduct would e:.danger the sue
cess of the party. So far from it, believed tina
If was one of the strongest arguments that coul'
be urged against the election of MIR. Van Buren,
but if the committee could satisfy me that Bish
op England's influence bad already reached
point where it was dangerous to discuss his at
tempt 70 bring the Catholic Church, sody
in support of 2 candidate for the Presidency. i
would become my duty to resist its influences
with all the means in my power. proposed
however, to disavow for the committee any re
sponsibility for my editorial course, and drey
up at once statement to that effect, which they
said was sufficient, inasmueh as presented tn.
question fairly to the public.