The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-21

:
to be made the victims of my imagining that IN
our republic, Catholics, like other citizens, had
liberty of political opinions, expression and ac-
tion would far prefer being again in my for
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
American people, but l know that they are nu-
m.rous and active, and should regret for the
sake of our republican institutions, that they had
the power to work their will. They would in
deed begin with the Catholics, but others would
soon feel the effects of their success.
| take the liberty of sending yeu a couple OF
papers, which will show you the occasion of my
remarks.
| have the honor to be, gentlemen,
With great respect,
Your ob't servant
+JOHN, Bishop of Charleston,
1t 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 be
placed, if those whom he thus denounoes had
the political power of this country.
Could he have made stronger appeal to the
passions and prejudices of those upon whom this
letter was designed to operate? 1t was saying
to them that the Wings were more intolerant
than Orangcmen, and that their condition would
be worse in this country than it had been in
Ireland, if General Harrison should be elected
Could words have been used more calculated to
Al. o. Il. -, L.. ,f tba Cd
ministration' That you may judge of the tone
of the Catholic press, l make short extract
Eom their paper, published in Boston:
"Duh Green, man than to whom is not at
tached more unenviable notoriety, cannot be
found in the whole length and breath Of the
land, voluntarily steps forth the assailer Of and
not only ISLANDERS this universally esteemed ard
venerable Prelate, but recklessly launches forth
his anathemas on the whole Catholic communi-
tv, as deserving not merely all the penalties of
OUTLAWRY, but as even fit candidates OF the
FELoN's CELL. and the GIBBET."
"The Catholics in this country, if until now
they have [beenl in doubt to which of the
parties Of the day they may find not only kin
bred sympathy, but community of feeling and
effort, for the attainment of those great objects
of all human legislation, equal liberty, equal
rights, and freedom of mind, will now have no
room 10 UC5lldl6. w z LhS1 VIII HUI AOOh
tamely on and see their pastors villihed, their
faith insulted, their characters impeached, or
their persons threatened, toithOut sptaTi',g Nth
lust indignation, ell fellowship and conneriOn
nth such parties Justify By its patron
age Communications, the authors Of saunders so
gross and aamertted, as Duff Green upon
Bishop England and o1u Holy Religion"
Those are indications taking with them their
own Interpretation. In a former number, have
quoted Webster's definition, to show the distine-
ton between resist and erte1Wi1,ate. That dis
tinction is SO important to right understanding
of the question in issue that repeat them
Webster says:
RESIST. " t. 1. Literally, to stand against;
to withstand; hence, to act in opposition or to
oppose. To strive against; to endeavor to coun-
teract, defeat or Illustrate. To battle, to disap-
point
Having seen the definition of the word ere
sist," I turn to the same authority for the mean
ing of the werd "exterminate." Webster says
EXTERMINATE v. t. 1. To destroy utter
ly; to drive away; to extirpate. 2. To eradi-
cate, to root out; to extirpate. g. To root out
as plants; to extirpate
So much for Bishop England Now for his
Boston echo:
"OUTLAWRY." n. Putting a man out of
the protection of law, or 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 my
self has net been fairly stated by him or by the
committee. / am charged with threatening you
with determination, and of wishing to deprive
you of the right to exercise your religious OPT
MONS and your rights Of conscience. The reverse
of these charges is the truth would protect
your persons and secure your rights of con
science. / have made no attack upon your reli
| gion. do not propose to controvert your reli
| gious faith What object to is the conduct
Bishop England in endeavoring to prostitute the
spiritual influence of the Church to political pur
poses--to blend the Church and State. You
should remember that very large proportion of
the people of the United States are Protestants.
That our knowledge of the Church Of Rome is
derived from Protestant books; that we read and
believe books which it is not lawful under the
rules Of your Church, for you to read.
The well informed Catholics must know that
there is an abiding jealousy among Protestants
against the abuses of the Catholic Church in its
exercise of civil power. To resist, therefore,
the attempt of Bishop England to exercise undue
influence over Catholic voters, is to protect you
in your civil rights. 1t will not do for him to
say that while he expresses the opinion that the
present administration should be maintained in
power, he leaves the minds of Others free to
| choose for themselves. We know that his off
DIAL station gives him an influence with very
large portion Of Catholic voters, msre especially
when his opinions arc strengthened by an appeal
to their consciences, under the highest authority
known to the Church in this country. We be
ieve that, with many, such an appeal is conclu--
sive, and regulates their political action. II
will not do, therefore, to say that such men are
l. e. e. @o ,hoosa Thar resnecf for him their