The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-10
From the NY. Observer.
TRIUMPH OF THE ROMAN
CATHOLICS.

As we have long feared as we have often
predicted, the triumph of the Romanists is
complete; the School bill introduced by Mr.
Maclay, and amended in the Senate, has passed
both Houses of our Legislature, has received
the signature of the Governor, and is now Il
law. Our public school system, the glory and
defence of the city, is, we fear, destroyed.
Political intrigue and Papal dctation have sue
ceeded at last, and we mourn almost as those
who have no hope!
This is no time for the indulgence of harsh
reflections; but we must say that those thOus-
ands of Professionals in the city and thrOugh the
State, who have SO often smiled at our efforts
to rouse the community to sense ofthelr dam
ger, may thank themselves for this disastrous
issue. The Indifference of Protestants has suf-
fered the Romanists to triumph. Had the
People been willing 10 open their eyes to evil
dence, they would have seen that the progress
of the papal power in this country is rapid, that
political men are counting the favor of Romish
priests, and therefore the danger is imminent
and constantly increasing. All this we have
often said to dsbelicving readers. Even within
a week past we have heard men of intelligence
and patriotism asserting that the Romanlsts
cannot succeed, the Legislature will not yield
to the base demand, there is principle still left
that will resist the progress of corruption, and
preserve the glorious system of public school
to the Bill which has now pa ssed:
'The Bill was drawn with special reference
to pleasing Bishop Hughes, and was submitted
to him that he might make such suggestions as
to him might appear desirable. He found ii
ALL RIGHT, and approved it accordingly. Mr..
MacIay carried it to Albany, the Assembly ap
proved of it: the Senate may approve OF It,;
Gov. Seward will of course approve of it: and
then the bill becomes law.
The prediction has become history, though
there were few who would last week believe
that there was any reasonable ground for APP
prehension. And now we must quietly submit
to the evil until the odiouS law can be repealed
Perhaps the Protestant community will now
be convinced that the ROmanists must be re-
sisted ut the polls and in the halls of legislation
and will put forth efforts such as the emergency
demands. The law can be repealed next win
ter Whether it will be or not depends on the
patriotism and nerve of the people of this
State.
If there are any who doubt that Romanism
is the source of this measure, let them under
stand that the Bishops party was in the field
with their charter officers nominated for the ell
ection held in this city last Tuesday; bat innle
datey after the passage of the bill, their nomi-
nations were withdrawn, as they had nothing
more TO gain by separate organization.
God reigns. Let us never despair of the
Republic The darkest hour is often the time
for the most signal display of Almighty grace:
and though this is the most serious blow which
has ever been struck at the citadel of Religious
liberty in this western world, we will still trust
in God and fight on. He did not send his peO-
pie to this wilderness to be the prey ofthe beast
and when the help of man is seen to fail, then
will we rest on our arms and stand still 'to see
the salvation of God.