The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-19

coed. was detained some days at Annapolis,
and upon returning to Baltimore, found that the
propretors of the Patriot had published the first
number of the Log Cabin Advocate. found, too,
that great efforts had been made to prevent the at
doption of the report of the Committee by the
Conventions that it had in fact, been deferred for
consideration. Itwas however, at the next meet
ing the Convention, adopted with great unani-
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 State Constitution. The
chief measure adopted by that Convention was
the appointment of State Central Committee.
1t was 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
right to act, finally prevailed. The announce
ment Of the new members Of the Committee gave
great dissatisfaction saw that there were secret
griefs and private ealouses, which were difficult
to be reconciled, 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, was anxious to promote, and hence
resolved to appropriate some private funds,
which | had intended for other-uses, to the sup
port of the paper, and to relinquish my claim
upon the party for the advance which they 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 | said, that my desire was to
harmonic the action of the party; that intend
ed to do all in my power to promote its that l
regretted to find jealousies, private views and
disrust existing; that for my own part 1 par
tsok of none, and would not become the instru-
ment of either; that the paper would be free and
Independent; that would be responsible to 10
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 surrsunded 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-
rIly proposed and adopted resolutions strongly
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
now proceed to state the question at issue
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 extract:
eeBeloved Brethren, flee from this contamina-
ton; keep aloof from these crimes-rehect that
you accountable, not only to society, but to
God, for the honest, fearless, and independent
exercise Of your own franchise; that it is trust
confded to you, not for your private gain, but
for the public good, and that, it yielding to any
| undue influence, you either through favor or af-
lection, or the motive of dishonest gain, agains-
your own deliberate views of what will promote
| your country's good, you have violated your
trust, ana you nave betrayed your conscience,
and you are renegade to your country"
1t will be seen that while this extract asserts
truth from which one will dissent, its force
depends entirely on its application. 1t requires
the members of the Catholic Church to vete 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 as political
body. Extracts from the pastoral letter were
extensively circulated through the political
press. Accustomed for years to guard the eta
del Of public liberty with vigilance, and 30 ex-
anime we'll 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 conld
not but consider his Columbus letter supple
inent 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 "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, or any ether
cause whatsoever, the Catholics as q body, should
unite in behalf of Mr.. Van Buren,, il will be-
come the duty of every Protestant to unite, net
only to resist MIR. Van Buren,, but to resist Gath
elicism." ga1a e
i To this Bishep England took great exceptions,
and declared that this proposition to resist Cath
olicism as political influence, was proposition
to erte,minate the Catholics, and great excite
ment was produced in this city. The Central
/ Committee appointed subcommittee to wait
i ...,... zx.as thar