Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-06-16

Let us fly, then, all of us, to the combat-pls-
cling ourselves under the direction of our author
ities-let us fully and sincerely place, in their
hands, our fortunes and our persons-let us en-
list with promptitude, and with whatever arms
we may be able to obtain-let us throw aside the
senseless desire of living longer-let US encour
age solely Unsuitable desire to die for our fam
ilies!-make effective and compassion, hitherto
sterile which you should show for your tender
children.
Let us before we see ourselves degraded to
slaves, in strange land, deserted, or followed,
perhaps by some ancient father, son, wife
whose Hneaments are already changed; every
where abhorred, our powers prostrated by the
weight OF indulgence, sending forth cries and la
mentations without finding o single being to ex-
tend to US hand of pity! Potosinos! for the
slave there is consolation; his respect and his
glory are eclipsed forever
These are the sole means of salvation Let
us all unite. Let us forget our domestic disa-
greements, and authorities, army, people and
priesthood-all-all for a compact mass and re-
sign ourselves to death rather than turn backs
to the enemy, or survive our misfortunes and dis
grace. Let us swear to God to die for his reli-
gion, and to the country for its independence
Let us swear to the tender child, the delicate
maiden, and decrepid age, that our blood shall
run in torrents-that we shall have sunk into the
grave before one Of those proud Vandals shall
place hand upon them!
Potosinos! these are the words of your Clergy,
and we shall not fail to inculcate, in the villages
and towns, and from the pulpits of the capital,
these grand sentiments. In your hands is the re-
igion which your fathers left you, the country
which Heaven has awarded you, the honor of
your daughters and your wives, the lives Of your
tender infants sand your whole future fate If
you wish it You may enjoy them ALL It depends
on heroic sacrifice. Make it!
Two fates are left open for you: To be vile
slaves, or independent Catholics Choose! If
the former bend to the invader; if the latter pre-
pare for the combat!
Comprehend it-these are the last moments.
Ii by Incidence you incur an unhappy fate, if
your religion must fly to more hardy soil, dis
grace and ignominy will fall upon you
To your Priesthood will remain the satisfac-
tion of having exposed to you the danger and in
dicated the means most effectual and best adapt
ed to our circumstances. And we conjure you not
to listen to our words without emotion, assured
that you meet in us tender parent who consoles
and succors your families, human friend who
anoints your wounds, Christiun Priest who dis
penses to you the last consultations of religion,
who guards and remembers your ashes, a COM
panion that does not abandon you in the day of
battle, and who now even is willing to bare his
breast in defence ofthe religion of Jesus Christ
and of the most beloved Republic of Mexico.
(Signe9 MANUEL DE1z,
FR. MANUEL NAvARRErE,
PRIMO FELIc1ANo CASTRO,
FIR. IGNAo1o SAMPAYo,
FIR. BIAS ENc1so,
FR JOSE DE SAN ALBERTO,
DIR. FIR. FELIX Rosa ANGEL.
San Luis Petosi, April 2Sth, 1S47.