Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-07-29

BoNrIRRs OF BiBLss.--Some time ago the
circumstance was mentioned that a number of
Bibles had been publicly burnt in one of The
northern towns Of New York by Roman
Catholic Priest. Considerable excitement
was very naturally caused by the announce
ment. BY several Roman Catholic authorities
it was positively denied, and serious consro-
versy grew out of il, which led to formal in
vestigatiou of the matter. The result of this
investigation has trapspired, and We give il in
the following document:
REPORT.
The undersigneds in compliance with re-
quest Of the Rev. j. Rooney of Plausburgh,
and in conformity with the wishes of Bishop
Hughes of New York. as published in the pa
pers, met at the Corbu in the town Of Cham
plain, for the purpose Of asceranng the facts
in relation to the burning of the Bibles at that
place in November last.
After having examined number of wit
nesses, we have TO report. that Bibles were
burnt, and that the number will not vary much
from forty-two-we think tina, 10 be the pre-
else number. They were burned by MIR. Tel
man, Missionary from Canada. and recently
from France, a Friar obat--that Mr. lehman
W de tic SUlt uioNSi w 'hV JUST
ness of burning Bibles, and 10 opposition 10
the wishes and feelings of Mr.. Dugas, the
resident clergyman at the CORFU. Ii appears
that the number burnt was but a small proper
ton of the whole number distributed among
the people. These Bibles were given TO The
Catholics by the Protestant agents of the BIZ
BILE Society, and in some cases were LETT with
individuals, after an expression OF repugnance
to receive them, and bu, small number OF
those who gave up their Bibles to be burned,
could read al all.
| Il appeared in testimony that the Bishop Of
Montreal was at Corbu five days after the a
bove transaction, and expressed in strong Ian
guage his disapprobalion of the whole affair.
Therefore, in view of the above facts and
circumstances, we have arrived at the conclu-
sion that whatever odium or blame there is in
this transaction, 1t belongs to Mr.. lehman ;
and tina, il would be uncharitable and unjust TO
throw it upon the whole denomination.
EBEN'R A. ScoTT,
HIRAM LADD, Protestants
DAVID PARSONS,
MICHAEL HABERTY,
JoHN Riley, Catholics.
PATRICK MoFrITT, J
Champlain, Corbu, 9Th March, 1913.
The truth is thus officially established that
Roman Catholic Priest conceived it TO be
consistent with the doctrines and discipline of
his church, 10 make bonfire Of the Holy
Scriptures, But he was foreigner. lie had
but recently come TO the United States, and
had not learned that the intelligence of Amer
lean citizens, both Proiestants aud Roman
Catholics, Is superior 10 most OF The preludi-
ces and supersttions which are still rife under
papal sway in Europe. He had learned that
] al "A l., II.
they are enjoined and practsed in Spain, TIA
ly, and other foreign countries, must be modi-
fed and restricted to suit the republican habits
and superior enlightenment as nation. nine
ten,hs of which ale not Of its communion. He
| had not learned that we know not in this free
land any such policy as "religious liberation"
There is nothing here TO be tolerated. We
have all eguai rights. No sect has legal pre-
cedence over any other. None can constltu.
tionally diminish or increase the liberty Of and
other. This is what foreign priests do not
generally, and cannot understand. Reared un-
der system, and a faith which recognize
the dogma of blind obedience to the DEGREES
of councils and the bulls of popes, under the
penalties of torture, death and damnaiion, it
is very difficult for them TO assume the tenet
that every man has right 10 examine and 10
think for himself, and that no one has right
to interfere between his conscience and his
God.
All this we say is very difficult, but still it
is not impossible. The proofs are all round
us,--ihat the Roman Catholic clergy In North
America find il necessary TO adapt their dis
ciplne TO the superior condition of government
and society which surrounds hem. They
have many things, however, to learn yet, be.
fore they can justly hope to make sure the adj
vances ofIheir church. Recently, 1t is true,
they have carried certain measnres whiah seem
TO prove an increase Of power Bot they have
conceded more than they have acquired, They
have been brought to the point that they no
longer boldly denonnce the reading OF the
Scriptures, however much they may impede
the practice.
We speak Of these things mol as sectarian
matters. Our press has nothing 10 do with
religious secfs as such. Ii is only when their
ministers or members utter sentiments, or com
nit acts, or sdop, policy, which we con-
ceive to be dangerous 10 liberty in its largest
political sense. tina, we feel it either right or
duty TO introduce the subject into our columns.
/ The occasions when this rule has justified the
/ discussion of the practices and tendencies OF
Roman Catholicism. have not been unfrequent
Of late, and the notice which has been at inter-
walls taken Of the subject. As American ciIi-
zens. we desire nothing but the maintenance
Of American priDciples.--no foreign dletation
in any thing. Americans should know better
than any foreigner, no matter what his station
or title. what is best for them 10 all things,
spiritual and temporal, religious or political.
| We trust that the time will come when the