The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-21
THE CATHOLICS.

The "Freeman's Journal and Catholic Register"
contains an article headed "The Administration
Organ" in which the editor states that che has
been much panied to see in the Union the admin
stration organ at Washington, certain articles re-
Aectng on the Catholic church."
We have hitherto in the most explicit terms, dis
claimed all bigoted and sectarian feelings Can it
be now necessary TO repeat protesations to the
same efsct' We should hope not. But, if the
Freeman's Journal requires anything further to be
superadied, the editor of the aUnion" can but say,
in verifcaiion Of his previous declarations, that
the records of the Catholic college in this District
have in two instances borne witness to the con-
fdence we have reposed in the moral and literary
character of its Catholic professors; and one Of
these cases has occurred since the editor has con-
Quoted the helm Of the Union.
In truth, we are as little Of bigot any man
living. What is the ground Of complaint against
the ''Unon.'' communication appears in this
paper, to which an exception is taken by member
or advocate of the Catholic faith. We open our
columns, and invite the freest replication The in
viiation is embraced, and 'scathing" defence is
published. Whereupon, the editor of the "Union''
thinks it expedient to arrest the continuation Of a
theological controversy, in paper principally de-
voted to the discussion of political matters. The
editor of the "Union" thought he had done the par
ties the most impartial justice and that accounts
properly balanced, far as he was concerned. The
writer on the Catholic side had the last word
gave the last blow--and, in fact was left in
possession of the field of battle. Subsequently
to all this, another writer, in essay upon
the tariff, in illustrating his subject, takes occa-
sion (without any such design as is ascribed to him,
we are perfectly sure) to tell about the origin and
application, at former, distant period, Of the word
isyiG; and that verbal literary criticism is presumed
10 be maevolent attack upon the Catholic church.
This, we are convinced, the writer designed;
but, whether he did or not, this passage of the
sayist escaped our attention.
With respect to any illusions of ours to Daniel
OConnell, certainly they we're not occasioned by
the fact Of his being Catholic. We care nothing
about his religion. We admire his genius and his
eoquence and the service he has rendered his
try. We do full justice to his unrivalled and con-
tinued powers to serve old Ireland. But, surely,
neither O'Connell nor any friend of his in Anne
RIGA need complain, after the bitterness Of his
attacks upon this country and its institutions that
he himself should sometimes experience the free
animadversions Of our American pen.
Far, very far indeed, be it from us to cast the
slightest reproach upon the Catholic church, or
upon any christian body. We cherish towards il no
feeling Of sectarian hostility. We have always
been, and shall ever continue to be, the staunch
advocates of religious federation If any injury,
tbrouoh accident or inatfenfion on our part has
been inflicted upon the Catholic community, we
are free to say that none was meditnted on our
part. We can undertake TO say, in the most un-
qualified terms, that neither the editor, nor any
member of the administration, nor, far we are
advised, any regular contributor to this paper has
any design to persecue the Catholic church, or any
other religious body. We leave theological pole
mics to the religious papers and to the pulpit. Such
discussions, we repeat. over and over, are insult
able for political paper.