Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-12-29
From the Jersey State Gazette, Nov. p.


FIGHTISG FOR THE Protestant RELI-
GIoN.-We see by the reportof the speech
Of Stacy G Potts. at the war meeting on
Tuesday last, that he too defends the war
on the assumption that God Almighty is in
favor of ii. Heaven sanctions it. Hea
ven prospers the right. Heaven is visiting
lis lust Judgment on Mexico. Heaven has
signalIy intcrposcd in our behalf. Such
were the speakers declarations.
All history has proved that there is no
spirit SO relentless. so dead to every hu-
man feeling. as that of religious bigotry.
The EXTREMIST tortures ever inflicted in
Christendom by man upon man have been
inflicted in the name of religion. The
pre- acher of it, on this occasion. seems to
have been animated by this merciless spirit
10 its full extent for he invoked upon Mexico
utter perdition! "She has chosen the
sword'' he exclaimed in conclusion, cloth
ing the fell imprecation in language taken
from the holy lips Of the meek and lowly
Jesus. and rervertlng it to his savage rur-
pose-..ief her perish by the smord!-l
What human Imagination can picture all
the Crueltes thus invoked by one poor
sinful human being-pernltted to live only
by the great mercy of God-upon millions
of his ow-creaturesi What suffering
is involved in a nations periShiHg by the
suord! How many cities smouldering IN
ashes! How many fields scathed by fire!
How many families beggared and broken
up forever! How many men dying in cx-
tremc anguish! How many mangled with
CHASTITY wounds! Upon how many totter-
ING, white haired old mon. how many
mothers. how many beautiful and gentle
daughters, how many playful children.
how many pratting infants. has this vim
,lictive man invoked merciess and sam
culinary death! How long will vain. weak
sinful man thus presume TO launch against
his brother man the thundcrbolts of God!
When will he learn that his own sins are
so great that if God should execute his
judgments in the severe spirit he invokes.
lie himself could not escape the utter per-
dition be denounccs against others.
We have heard good deal of this
ligious preteNt for our war upon Mexico
I from other sources The idea Of these
bigots was not fully expressed by Mr..
Potts, but there are Others who are less
I reserved.
/ According to them. Heaven is using our
armies to propagate the Protestant faith
and cxtirpate the Catholic religion by fire
and sword! We hear it often in the streets.
Many a fanatic. in whom the accursed
spirit of religious persecution still survives
openly proclaims it. Sometimes the willy
advocates ofthe war are indiscreet enough
10 let it appear in print. One Joseph a.
Yard. zealot and fighter both, mounts
Catholic pulpit on the Rio Grande. ia
ken By bloody violence from those who
have a right 10 worship before it. breaches
Professionalism. and writes home that one
of the glorious fruits of our conquests IS
the substitution of the pure principles Of
Professionalism for the errors and idolatry of
the Catholic religion.
This idea is carried forward, it would
seem. at the head of our armies. Our
chaplains. appointed and paid by our
Government. proclaim it now even IN the
Halls ofthe Montezumas. On the Sd ofOc-
tober. Gen. Scott ordered a general Trunks
giving to be rendered by the army: and
the National Palace of Mexico was selec-
ted as the place of the religious services.
On that occasion the chaplain. the Rev.
h Mr. McCartv thus explained TO the SOL
diery WHY it was that God had given the m
so many victories:
1--WE recount the victories which. bv the
help Of the God Of battles. we nave
achieved. notthat we may sacrifice TO our
own valor and might. but be led to fear the
Lord and depart from evil, ITO fear him
and keep his commandments" that sense
of his goodness, manifested in preserving
our lives and browning our arm, with sue
cess. NAV constraln US to serve our Great
Bencfactor with all our hearts," AS in
the thanksgiving for victory. We pray Him
Ito give us grace 10 improve the great mer-
CIV to his glory. the Advancement Of his
: gospel. the honor Of our country. and as
, much as lieth m US. the good of all man
kind: whilst we ascribe 10 Him all the
glory. as our Preserver and the siver of
victory. let US see that we ..gloriiv him in
our bodies and spirits. which are his" let
rs realize that He has not preserved and