The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-22


took of none, and would not become the instr,l
> ment of either; that the paper would be free ant
e independent; that would be responsible to re
: 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 tina, ii
this view, preferred taking my own priyat,
means TO establish the paper, relying up the
patronage which the puLhe might voluntarily
give, and therefore released the Committee lIsT
all obligation IN relation to the press except the
obligation te 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
of the Catholic Church, held in this city, they
issued pastoral letter, from which the follow
ing is an extract:
''Beloved Brethren, fee from this contamna-
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 Of your own franchise; that it is a trust
confided 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 af-
lection, On the motive of dishonest gain, aganrs-
your own deliberate views Of what will promote
your couatry's good, you have violated your
trust, and you have betrayed your conscience,
and you are a renegade to your country"
1t win 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 Ia vote un-
der the high obligation of religious duty; and, /
believe, is the first attempt in this esuntry 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 eta |
del of public Liberty with vigilance, and TO Ok
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 the advocate of the existing adj |
-ninistration. Under suck circumstances could |
not but consider his Columbus letter a supple |
ment to the pastoral address, and these, taken |
together, as open attempt to bring the whole |
authority of the Church into the field of politics;
and speaking upon the subject, said:-
II ''from any cause, ny religious sect should
combine and throw their weight, m a body,
in behalf of any political candidate, it is ar
argument why others, differing with them in
opinion, should oppose the candidate, whom
the may thus combine to support And if
it should so turn out that, uader the inAu-
ence Of Bishop England's letter, or any ether
cause whatse yer, the Catholics as body, should
unite ia behalf Of A1r Van Buren,, it will be-
come the duty sf every Protestant to unite, net !
only to resist MIR. Van Buren,, but to resist Cath
elieism.7
To this BishsP England took great exceptions, |
and declared that this proposition to resist Cath
olicism political influence, was proposition
to ertsrmt,ate the Catholics, and great excite
ment was produced in this city. The Central |
Committee aPpoi.ted subcommittee to wait |
upon me, and was tsld mat they entertained |
great apprehensions that the Wing ticket wsnld |
be defeated, not only in this city, but t.rsughout
the State, in consequence Of my remarks, and |
the relation which l bore to the party. TIE this
corAmIttes 1 replied, Hnat, in the first place,
could not admit any right in the Cenxal Gem
mittee, as such, to call in question the zaa.er
in which conducted my paper, and protested
against the form of proceedings which they had
adopted. told them that, with the members Of
the committee individually, it would at al times
give me pleasure to confer; that they were net
more anxious than l to promote the success Of
the ticket, and that no member 81 the commit
tee or of the party would make greater sasri-
| fees of money of feeling to prsnste it.
took the Liberty Of referring to the past 10 de-
monstrate this, and they admitted, IN my pre-
sence, that the whole contributions Of the party
in the city of Baltimore had not been equal 10
the sum which had been compelled to advanc
from my own private means in support Of The
paper.
But tsld them that til ey had presented this
question in a new aspect. l did net believe,
with the committee, that my structures en- Bish-
| op England's conduct would eidanger the sue
cess of the party. So far from it, believed that
1t was one of the strongest arguments that could
be urged against the election OF MIR. Van Buren,;
but if the committee could satisfy me that Bish-
ep England's influence had already reashed a
point where it was dangerous to discuss his at
tempt to bring the Catholic Church, as body,
| in support of candidate for the Presidensy, it
would become my duty to resist its influence
with all the raeans in my power. proposed,
however, to disavow for the committee any re-
sponsibility for my editorial course, and drew
up at once statement TO that effect, which they
said was sufficient, inasmueh as presented the
| question fairly to the public.
In the mean time, Bishop Eng land continued