The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-11-03
[ NUMBER 6.
From the 1usraloosa Flag Of the Union.
A WORD IN DEFENCE OF ROMAN
CATHOIICS

IN making my last communication TO oat
paper, that ! wond DC again required 10
solicit permission 10 publish in your columns
! a second rctutallon Of the renewed charges
brough! against Roman Catholics, by The
editor Of the Independent Monitor, 10 The
last number Of his paper. was really 10
hopes, that The question Of religion, so in.
properly agitaed by Mr.. Miller, would -est
with my last communication for | well
knew that i; was one which had already
been amply and ably discussed bv men OF
learning and taleuts, both Catholic aud Prot
estani, ~ this county and 10 Europe; aud,
therefore, that nothing could be adduced by
MIR. Miller which could have a tendency TO
InVallda'e the authority of the Catholic
church, nor TO exhibit her as inim.csl 10 the
tree institutions Of this country, but what
has repeatedly been urged by the enemies Of
that church, and which have been so re-.
peatedly conluted by learned dlyines AM
able controyerslalisis Of the Roman Ca,ho.
Ic Church.
! was therefore no little as,onished to find
that, oi,er iortnIgh,'s incubation, the pub.
lie are again treaied--to what? Not Ger.
lalnly 10 learned logic-Dot 10 an erndite
production OF Christian theology neither
can II be called proper tefutaton OF those
scrlP!ural facts which adduced IN my for
mer reply, TO prove those doctrines of the
Catholic church, which were brought IN
question, TO he Of DIVINE origin. No; such
IS not the character Ct the essay which this
learned editor is pleased 10 promuisate,---
II is a composition repe,e with all those
false charges against Catholics, which have
become stale and worn on, ia The service Of
religious controversy and which appear to
be The only flowers which can flourish 10
the nursery Of this sapient ,heologian.
lie first charges me with iugratitude and
40 unsenerous disposition towards him.
10 this charge shall have but little to say;
only, that my last article was not dictated
by spirit OF revenge, neither was il couch.
ed III terms OF that character. Ii was writ.
ten IN spirit Of mildness, and with view
OF convincing tho understanding, rather
than with view Of exciting the feelings of
the enemies of Catholciiy.
His charges against the Catholic reli.
1ion are, however, of more serious charac.
Ter, and requires more ample reiualion.
Tie is pleased 10 head this second elfusioD of
'"''s'@"" Intolerance with uPps.en, quo.
lation from the language Of the renowned
Ia tayete, as follows: "fMe liberties of
has country are erer destroyed they miH be
destroyed By Roman Cuiholic Priesfs."--
Now, II is well known fact TO every one
who IS a, oil acquainted with the charaster
and religion of La Fayejte, that be lived
and died member OF the Roman Catholic
church aud therefore it is not onlv pre-.
but very great ingratitude, to at.
tribute TO him language 80 deroestory 10
ne character Of the ministers of that reh.
,ion, OF which he was an acknowledged pro.
assor. But La Faystle nerer asserted that
he liberties OF this country we're IN danger
rom Roman Catholic priests. The state.
nent Is incorrect; and only shows how far
mems preJudlces will lead them when treat.
ne OF matters TO which they are opposed.
"a fayet'e may have asserted, (and il is
exported that he did - "iba, if our Liberties
hould ever be lost, i; will be by the hand
u priests" By priests, La Fayeite meant,
IS is generally meant, the ministers of eye-
y creed Tor 1t is of them, without dstnc.
ION, that we IRE TO be cautious, and never
ilo" them particle Of political ascendau.
y 10 thus country. Our main danger is
rom ambitious priests Of various denomina.
ions. When they conform themselves to
heir only sphere Of usefulness, they arc the
est benetactors Of mankind; when they
epart from II, the greatest iyrants arc not
more lntoIerant than they Such is the
roper construction of the terms used by
"a Foyet.e. So much for Mr.. MlIler's
veil selected caption.
What is Christianity 1t is the work of
rod magnificent work, in the establish.
nent aud supper, Of which be has display.
d his power, his wisdom, bis mercy and
GOODNESS, even IN stronger light than in
he creation aud preservation Of the world.
is end is the glory Of God, and the reno
alton and eternal happiness Of man. And
That IS CathoIcityl The germ of chris.
un''y. A diamond sparkling with the
ght of faith, whose divine radations trans.
end the torpid imaginations of the maig.
ant, and lniuses lis consoling precep,s into
ne souls OF a majority of the inhabitants of
Ii has CO existed with eve.
= form of government; and its professors
re known TO have been faithful subjects
nd 6rm patriots in every land. The Caiho.
church was founded by the Apostles,
nth the promise from Christ, "that the
ates of hell should neper prerai, against
:" II has continued isunchanging course
n eighteen centuries, with the honorable
nd certain line Of about two hundred and
ny Popes, successors of 81. Peter, and
'cars of Jesus Christ. During this long
nr'od OF her existence she has successfully
'n'endrd against hosts of tyrants, traitors,
igans and schisma,ics and has numbered
her fold those who we're eminent for
'elr learning, pIety and virtues; and has
cen approved aud supported by the unani.
ouS decisions nf pll Tho oaaarol councils