Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-12

GFThe following communication, though |
written by foreigner and Catholic, we |
are sure will lie read with interest and APP
probation ty every good citizen in this COM
munity. We know nothing Of the par,icu-
lars except as detailed by Mn. ANcE, but
have no doub, he has stated them correctly.
Communication.
Ma. EoiroR. I extremely regret the necessity
which urges 10 come before the public through the
columns Of a newspaper. But fearing that silence
might give sanction ungrounded and false reports,
beg leave to occupy brief space in your columns.
The sui ject to which wish to direct attention, 10
the late suit before magistrate Of this town, for
disturbance Of religious worship in the church Of
which have charge The case terminated in the &C.
quittal of the young who was arraigned; andbe.
ing aware that this circumstance might tend in the es.
tma,on of those who ever ready to cry out per.
secution to impeach the course of conduct which !
have pursued think proper to lay before the public
full statement oil the matter. II was proved on the
trial that the person in question had been frequent
member Of my congregation, and that some weeks
since he persisted in refusing TO kneel with the rest of
the assembly on the holy Sabbath, as is the custom
among all the Catholic church throughout the world,
harsh language and applied the vest epthets to the
Pastor who requested him to comply with the es,ab.
lshed usaaes of the church. II was also shown that
this had been repeated BY him from time time the
grosses manner 81 that he had refused complyingwiih
the terms and rules which my society is organized,
neither contributing to sustain the church nor treat.
ing the Pastor even with the ordinary respect which
one man owes 10 another. 1t was in consequence Of
this continued Ill treatment, and total disregard both
for my feelings and station and contempt of the holy
ordinances of the church, that requested him 10 lea We
the house on the last Sab alh. This he declined do.
ing, and at my request was removed from the house
by some members Of my congregation. At the time
when requested him to leave the house he was stand.
ing erect and with staggering air OF Defiance as if
ready TO improve the first opportunity for mischief
When the attempt made to remove him with
gentleness he resorted TO kicks, blows and curses
and entirely interrupted and disturbed the exercises of
the day, and this continued after he was re-
moved, and he remained about the house. profaning
both the day and the place with the most shocking
vugurity and profanity. For this offence this Young
man was tried and acquitted, on the ground that no.
thing done more than thirty days before the nrrest
could be shown in evidence according to the Statute
Law, and that of violence or disorder was com.
mted by him Immediately before he was requested
actions may be msconsued, would wish to appeal
from Thu judgment to TINT Of public opinion.
l, is well known that have caused 10 be erected a
chapel in this place, upon ground presented by the
Right Reverend Bishop Of Boston, for the sole use of
the Canadian Catholic population in this vicinity
or this chapel and the grounds IN full posses.
sion, and with as full suthory as in my own privn c
house. The chapel has been u IN large proportion
at my own private expense and the sole charge of
(under my snperors) belongs me alone. And os
Priest of the Catholic church have full authority to
prescribe the terms and conditions on which persons
may become members of my congregation. Accord.
ing to the rules and regulations by me often reea led
and publicly declared, no person is entitled 10 be con.
sdercd one Of my flock who does not conform there
to. In this country where so mauy have apostatzed
and where the most dill gent and perseverng watch.
fulness Is constantly required Of the Priests of the
Catholic church, not few perverse and evil disposed
persons are found who rejoice in dcraneng my plans
for the common good of my congregation and such
persons who refuse all assistance, and all compliance
with the ru es and ordinances Of the church, it woud
seem that the law of the land hru,ts upon me, and
ohllaes me TO receive into my congregation, and to
submit not only to the indgniIy Of their presence, bu,
to their open scandal and disorder. The precedent
established by this decision can but have most per
nic!ous effect npon public order Although the sub
Ject OF It escapes on legal technically, the impress
sion Will be gwen to the many ignorant, and unuru
nately abandoned characters who frequent the Cath
olc chapel IN this place that they may pursue the
dictates oil their own untuorcd and unhaowed pro-
penslles with IMMUNITY. Every friend Of order
whether Catholic Protestant, must rcgre, -ol
indeed the weakening any influence which tends te
Keep down in this class of community the disposition
, to anarchy and riot, unfortunately too prevalent,
Blu, the good and faithful Catholic has more sur,
refuge than the law Of any country or the tende
mercy Of mob. the faithful! pastor can look OF
h'gh Tor strength IN the day Of trouble. And il per
secu'ion comes, he can retire with the good and faith
iul OF his flock, If necessary, TO the foret AM
mountains and IN solitude like that of the Garden O
Suffering erect the altar Of his faith, and pray for hi
u enemies who know not what they do. This time ha
. not arrived, and we trust it may never But while
k am in charge OF my flock ns Catholic Priest ! will
try m, best efforts to put stop TO mpiey and disor
der within the temple Of the Most High To fine
from this duty would be to break down the princpl
y OF authority in midst. and that which began il
riot might one day end in Instruction If the Prizes
- IS denied the right of expelling dsorderly perso
e from the church, on the same principle he might b
I, forced to admit to burial within tho cemetry of III
l. church, those who held no communion with Catho
y liclsm. The cemetry is not more sacred than tn
church. and the cannonica laws with regard to both
have no other foundation than GOOD sense and ren
y son. The Priest is no more obliged to receive III
body OF one who dies without the pale of the church
man 10 admit to the holy ordinances OF his religion
N one who comes only to mock and insult, him.
IS The decision Of which we have spoken will not nj
rest our Efforts in behalf of relsionand of order w
shall continue our course in the discharge Of our dui
r and md in our motives sufficient reward 7 subm