Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-02-16

the United States and Of Europe, against
the Catholic church and tho Priesthood
all over the world; and may well take
place, with the infamous fabrications Of
Maria Monk, Rebecca Reed, and the late,
no less truthful story of the esDonovan
Nun" in Mexico. ISLANDERS which have
been repeatedly refuted, by intelligent and
highly respectable witnesses, and have
long since received the stamp Of .wilful
false hood" yet they are here and there
taken up and reiterated with that zest Pc
cullaI only to mental and moral deprayity
Your Committee do not assume and are
lar from denying. that bad men do not
sometimes creep into the great body Of
the venerable Clergy Of the Catholic
Church, not only in Mexico, but-esen in
the United States, as we'll as ia other
parts; but their number are not the one
hundredth parto what is often represen-
ted, as We are at any time ready and able
TO prove.
On the present occasion, we deem it
altogether unnecessary, to enter upon
any enlarged refutation Of such asser-
tons, but as Mr.. Smith has said, that
what he uttered was from personal OBJ
servation, we are authorised to state, from
the testimony of several respectable citi-
zens now living amongst us, and who
have resided in South America and Mexi-
co, us well as from the correspondence Of
many relatives and friends now in Mexi-
CO, as also from the testimony Of several
officers Of the United States Army, (who
are not Catholics) to pronounce the state
ments OF Mr., Delazon Smith, ,oilful and
malignant faIsehoods.
10 this we will beg leave TO add the
testimony Of the respectable Editor of the
N. Y. Sun. Speaking Of the Clergy Of
Mexico, he says: ave think it not out
of place, to give the result of our obser-
vatlons when in their Capital and among
them.
The Bishops and higher grade Of Cer-
gy are generally eminent for their learn
ing, purity of private character and de-
votion to the Church &c. y Some Of
the stories told by travellers Of Priests
with families, of gambling, drunkenness,
&C., may be true, 6ut6y far the greater
part arc acuful fazsehoods. 1t may be
witty, but certainly it is not honest nor
mauIy, for travellers to repay the most
generous hospitality by publishing vulgar
surmlses on the habits Of kind host, us
positive facts"
This, we consider, conclusive. And
were it not for the time and the OCCASION
on which this anti christian harrangue
was delivered, your Committee would
have reported it AS entirely unworthy Of
their notice. And we now speak as men,
bcrs sincerely attached to the great Dem
ocraric party Of this State and of the Uni
ted States.
We, therefore, look upon the mixing u p
of Religion with Politics as a great evil,
and should be avoided by all parsies.-
That the time chosen for such an exhibit
ton, was, to say the least, unpropitious;
when every effort is needed to harmon
lze the scattered democrats of the party,
and not unnecessarily add anything to
distractit. The occasion which called the
meeting together, rendered such remarks
in our opinion indecorous and certainly
out Of ORDER and we regret very much,
that truth compells US to report that Mr..
Delazon Smith was not called to order by
the Chairman Or by any other member
OF the meeting, but Was permitted to fin
ish his speech, so insulting to lar rye por-
ton of the Democratic family. Notwith-
standing, this apparent want of respect
for the feelings of their Catholic fellow
citizens, there were some redeem
ing traits of character exhibited at that
meeting, and your Committee are happy
to report the names Of Gen. A. c.. Dodge,
our late efficient delegate to Congress,
and Thos. H. Benton, Jr, our able State
Senator, both of whom ably and eloquent
y defended the general character Of the
N.exlean clergy, from those foul asser-
ions, ana properly denounced the intro
1uclon Of such subjects into political
meetings.
We, therefore, recommend the adop-
lion Of the following resolutions.
RESOLVED, That we sincerely disap-
prove Of the introduction Of religious sub
ects into political assemblies, net because
Catholics are the subject, nor As Catho-
NO oiS We oa' oAu ~ Jul AClIS lOuo
principles or the conduct Of the clergy of
,ur church in any part Of the world
strictly scrutlnised in proper place, and
according to the eternal principles Of
ruth and justice, but because it is our de-
sire and firm resolve to oppose with all
our influence, the union of any church
With any party believing that the discus
sion Of religious subjects In political meet
ngs is the sure forerunner thereof, and
ends inthe great injury, both to Church
and State.
Resolved, That the thanks Of this
meeting are due, and are hereby given
o,sGen. A. c. Dodge, and Thomas H.
3enton. Jr., for their independent and
imely denunciation Of such remarks, be-
ng made by any one protesting tho prin-
:iples of the Democratic party, or a,
Democratic meetings.
RESOLVED, That the thanks of this meet
ng are due, and are hereby given to DR.. F.
J. McDor n IL forhis prompt and fearless ex.