The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-09-19
Religious Liberty in Danger.
A eradication of the Wing Party from the
charge of hostility to Catholics and
Foreigners.
pY 4 cATHoLIc LAYMAN.
aRELIGIous LIBERTY IN DANCE

- ~
"RELIGIoUS LIBERTY IN DANGER"
Seuch is the startling tile of one ofAMos
KENpALL's last productions; and, low as he
i, il sinks him still lower in the slough of
infamy into which he has thrown himself. 1t
bears the impress of his malignant spirit,and
is, withal, q species of politico-religionism,
the more disgusting and detestable, because
it comes fresh from the lips of the hypocrite
and pander. The object of the Tract is 10
make the Wings responsible for the late dis
graceful riots in Philadelphia, by identify
Ing them with the Native American Party,
who, the heaven born Amos is pleased to
tell us, are sWhigs under a new name.' In
this, he is only following in the lead of the
Washington Globe and other kindred prints,
OF the party to which he belongs. Others,
not less INSCRIPTIONS in their means of po-
liical warfare, commenced it; but it was re-
served for bis diabolocal genius 10 give the
finishing touch to the work, so auspiciousiy
begun; and most admirably has he perform
ed the work It is every way worthy ofhim
and he is excellenily suited to il.
: Under these circumstances, and IN view
of the excitement that has grown oat of this
subject, and the acrimonious feelings which
the bloody deeds of a f~anatical mob have en-
gendered IN the community at large, it can
not be considered either indelicate or i'm
proper to meet the issue which Mr.. Ken
dali and bis co-laborers have thus presented.
Bot be that as itmay, We shall do our duty
to the Wing cause, and repel, at once, the
assault of ifs vile slanderers. Its advocates
and supporters should not suffer under such
an accusation, false and grouhdless as We
know 1t to be, and, therefore, we shalt APP
peal to facts, with the full conviction that
they will furnish their complete and uium-
plant vindication.
1t is not our purpose, IN imitation of Mr.
Kendall, to appeal to the passions and pFeju-
dices of the people, nor shall we attempts
Their directly or indirectly, to array religious
institutions against a political party. We
have no appeal to make TO any religious de.
nomination, nor would we, were it in on
power, drag religion into the %political arena
Il has no business there and that mah who
would TINS degrade it from its proper sphere,
to secure a party triumph, is not only an
-insidious demagegue, but, under the .guise
: of sympthy and friendship, he tempts IL TO
its ruin. For the religion mingle:
in the political strife of the day, its charac
ter and usefulness are shipwrecked together
men cease to respect its warning voice AM
longer; and observation-disclosures persecu
ton as certain as it is terrible, will be the
inevitable consequence We view it, anC
in this VIC express the opinion of the Wing
party, as too pure and holy to be psossitutes
to. partisan purposes. And we have no fear!
that the Catholics of this country will eve
give favorable respose to such oVertures
let them come from whom they may-fron
Kendall, or from the collective mass of hi:
party. On the contrary, we know that the,
will receive them with disgust, and reward
him who dared to make them with soyer
ign and ineffable contempt. AS a body ,thl
Catholics of the United States are too intel
ligent and discerning to be influenced b,
the political bawds who seek their favor b,
sycophancy and deception. They are tn
last people TO be gulled, because none Az
hrmer in their political principles, and tina
man is at a fools labor who seeks 10 move
them, more especially with the means nov
brought into service. 1t would be we'll 70
all who think differeNly to understand tina
Catholics, like other men, are free in thei
political opinions, and that they value III
E9ht of suffrage loo high TO make
a matter of traffic. They are neither bongf
nor sold, to their religion. They regard tn
elective franchise as the proudest attribut
ola freeman, and permit none, priest or lay
man, 10 dictate to them, or trammel its Ire
and voluntary exercise. In order therefore
that Amos Kendall and his Locofoco. brett
rem may fully appreciate what they seem {
lose sight ofythe perfect independence ofthei
position, we shall insert a paragraph froi
the address ofthe Catholic Laity of Phil;
delphia, in answer to the presentmenf of til
Grand Jury, in their views of the lcauses
which the riot originated. 1t is dated tn
Goth June, 1874, and the selection we max
from it is in these words:
I'VE yieId to none of our felIow-citizens in a
tachment to republican institutions. We ow
no allegiance whatever to foreign prince or p
tsntate: Teei obedience which. as children
the church. we render to the chief bishop I
CARDS rot the things that pertain to this worl
'As Catholics, we are tree In our political sci
timents, influenced by our religious tenetS
our spiritual guides. We belong to dlferei
81 political parties, according 10 our Jud gmentaI
choice, and we have political opinions and pr
dilections over which we acknowledge no CO
troll, other than tho Constitutional and legal T
strietiOns. We do not object 10 the formation
any new party which respects the CONSTITUTE
and laws, and pursues lts objects Without /
Fl frihging on rights already guaranteed, and pu
- lie faith. and the dictates OF natural justice al
sumanity, But it anr party takes It's rise
Opposition othe peaceable efforts Of cIrize
20 protect and preserve The rightsef conseiene