The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-08

Mr. LAWN made a speech last week ia the
House Of Representatives on the Catholic Ques-
,ion. Mr.. c. J. ISGERsoIL replied. We copy
the Era's account:
lie referred 10 the article of amendments 10
the Constitution, prohibiting any law for the
establishment of religion-quoted from an ad-
dress Of the Catholics of the United States TO
General WashingtOn-nentioned the appoint
,nent of a Catholic to the Chief Judgeship Of
The Supreme Bench-snd deprecated the at
teInpt Of his colleague 10 bring into this House
4 religious excitement.
IL understand that out of the 22S members
Of this House, 226 are protestants. There are,
| am told. but two Catholics in the House. We
are Protestant Congress, representing Pro-
testant community. /, therefore, think it pru-
dent and wise-and have disciplined my own
feelings 10 that standard-to avoid the excite
ment which subjects Of this kind are so apt TO
create"
lie indicated the Jesuits against the attacks
Of Mr.. Levin, extolling their taste, charity, and
purity, which he contrasted with the corruption
Of some Protestant Bishops.
In reply TO the objection that We had no com.
mercial relations with the Pope, he stated that
d. had lately recommended commercial league
Of the Italian States. Mr. | mentioned several
! valuable commerce between Ih,s country and
the Papa States, and he sppeaie. a,.r.i, Z,
Southern men interested in the culture vi e,u-
ton, sugar, and tobacco.
There il is, the South And the South, too,
in a dollar and cent view Come TO my help
sustain me-and | will sell YOU cotton, sugar,
and tobacco. But Mr.. Levin was cup TO
H. h.. Al.
fashion. lie admitted all that Was said about
The Constitution; hut the States might, and the
Pope, and O'Connel-terrible men meant TO
establish the Catholic religion in them. And
he, toe. appealed TO the South. But to their
fears. preJudices. passions! lie could tell IL
that the new mission TO Rome was 10 be made
the basis Of one to Hayti. We give what he
SAYS about the designs Of O'Connell and the
Pope
"In l-43, when the Pope issued his encyclcal
letter against slavery, and Daniel O'Connell
published his manifesto calling upon the Irish
Catholics Of the United States 10 carry out the
intentions Of the Pope at the ballot box, for
YOU must take them in connection as ILLUSTRATING
the real designs Of the Pope he called togeth-
er ia the city Of London the most intiue initial
and wealthy Roman Catholics, for the purpose
VI forming an association, having for its ayow-
e. object the overthrow Of Protestant rights and
Protestant freedom IN the nted States A cir
cular or pamphlet was prepared which was dex-
teFOusly ana Judiciously distributed; and in
that circular We find the same ground assumed
which has been taken upon the floor of this |
House by my colleague from the 4th Congress
sional disuict-'Congress has no power to legis- |
isie upon the subject Of religion But in the |
circular they proclaimed the fact-and IL seems
they understood this subject well-that the
States may change the Fundamental law, and
make the Roman Catholic religion the establish. |
ed religion Of the State This, sir, in itself ex
plains The secret OF this extraordinary flood Of
Roman Catholic population now pouring into |
our country. Is Il not, sir, somewhat extrsor.
binary that the ROmish hierarchy in Europe
have never directly or indirectly ATTEMPTED "a |
inierPOse the slightest check 10 that Immense
immigration which yearly transfers 80 many |
thousands from their dominion | nut il 10
me common sense Of every man, whether il ia |
al all likely that the transference TO our shores
Of 'neh multIludes Of the followers Of the Pope |
would be thus looked upon without alarm or re- |
greI IL the subtle policy of the Romish Pontiff
had not given him assurance that the result |
would IN nowise impair his strength or endanyer
ms dominion The document TO which | al |
iaoe was obtained with some difficulty by a |
grnueman-a citizen Of this country-who was
neh IN London. Ii was handed BY him 10 a |
ossHngushed Senator of the United States, Mr. |
"es"ou'l by whom IL was placed in the hands |
buchanan the Secretary of State. Far be IL |
from me to charge the Secretary of Stale with |
the suppression of that document. But il has |
Oeeh lost or misaid; and, as il is the only copy
81 winch have heard, hope that NAV vet
nAse an opportunity of laying it before The
country"
W. DicAEr. Of Pennsylvania, opposed the
mission and was afraid of Catholic influence.
Mr. BsowN.-IIis colleague mir. Levin, had
80 whenever the Catholics got control Of all
Ae olsies what security we would have against
uheif establishing the Catholic relipion7 There
an OLD saying, when the sky falls, we will
Sa'eh iArks' What security, he would ask
-. g thai The Methodists, the Episcopalis ms,
a' naPusts, the Presbyterians, might not get
.,eohIoillhg power in this cou ntry, and ss-
'aOsh 'heir own religionl Look to the history
" ue past Look to the history of the Ban
u's' Of The PFesbyterisns, (of whom he was n
'ei! humble member,) and Of other Protestant
nae not they prosecuted each otherl Had
u LPlscoPaiians prosecuted the Dissent
S. mao not the Presbyterians, on our own
sschn..'. 0"s 'he mountain scenery Of Mas
rnusetts' prosecuted those who disse nted from
mem' tie said, then, what security have we.
u any religion should succeed in obtaining
IoHuoilng power in our land, that its
nie I VIII not establish il as the law of the
anu aho Persecute all other creeds7 The Sc.
LILY was the spirit Of resistance to oppression,
sn,s. I was wa now spreading in Italy, which had
sP'eaH all over the United States, and which.
trusted would be diffused all over the world:
80, PIl That caused men to prefer to suffer
s ean rather than be trammelled by religious
sPo'lsm. Another security was, that in the
psre.s Of mind and conflicts of opinion, no
s relg'on could acquire sufficient strength TO
=, The previous question WAS noyy uovsd. A..
house refused TO reconsider ana a. h,I, 81
r''sed-yeas I37, NAYS IS. '"' ''' ''' "''
in's dr6a'e occurred in the House March
the sth