Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-10-04
Tendencies of the Papacy.

Mr.. McGeo, the editor of the New York Ma
ton, in an address to the American public"
makes the following statement with regard to
clerical combinations against his press:-
On the 2Slh of October, 1913, commenced
the publication of weekly newspaper in New
York, called the Nation, ITO be devoted to Ire.
land and her emgrants, and the European De-
mocracies." From the first number, it had to
deal with the causes of the degcneracy and des-
truclion of the llsh in Ireland, with The inteec-
tual and social condition of the emigrant Irish
IN America, and with European questions, such
as have arisen in France and Germany, and Of
late especially wit, the Roman business.
In relation TO Ireland, the Nation was the first
journal, owned and edited by Catholic, which
charged the horrors endured by human nature,
IN that island equally on its clerical politicians
and It's foreign rulers.
10 the eInigrants in this country, we devoted
fixed department, explained by its motto
" Educate, that you may be free" We told
them their faults IN the plainest language. We
showed that they were 'tools" in society, cunts"
III political Influence, and the "drug," instead of
THE seed" OF the American Catholic church.
we preached 10 them ga wise selishness," ITEM
perance, cleanliness, and frugality." We ex-
horted each man TO own his own house, and his
own opinions.
In relation to Rome, we advocated the repub-
ton Of Peters peace, and urged the total sepa.
ration of the temporal from the spiritual power.
These were new ideas in our Irish commune
ty but many were prepared for their reception.
We have tie satisfaction TO know that in each
town, state, and territory throughout North Am
erica, some Irishmen have received, advanced,
and naniully upheld them.
But it cannot, and ought not to be- concealed,
that Il widespread and powerful influence has
ko, nod "a ~
infancy, ana to crush the Nation, their oraan-
For half year we have been informed of the
workings of this influence in several states and
cities, and have endeavored, by remonstlance,
and every honest mitigation Of language, to con
ciate or remove 1t. 1t was impaca6le, and
continues so.
In the diocese Of Boston, Hartford, New York.
Albany, Buffalo, Ptlsburg, aud Toronto, special
measures have been taken by many Catholic
clergymen, to arrest the circ ulation of the New
YORK Nation. Our subscribers or ourselves have
been denounced, by name or description, from
the affairs, and IN other ways, by the clergymen
OF South Boston, Mass, Pawtucket, X. l., Spring
field, Mass, Cohoes, N. Y, Lockport, N. Y, IN
some OF the churches Of this city, in st. Patrjcks
cathedral, and IN Richmond and other parts of
the diocese of Philadelphia. In one instance.
THAT of Mr.. O'Grady OF Cohoes,) the rite of con-
iession was refused by the clergyman, Mr.. Van
Rcell, to subscriber for the Nation. In other
towns, our travelling agents have been denounc.
ed by clergynen as soon as they arrived, and
literally hunted out" This mas been going on
since the beginning of the year.
Here let me observe that on the Cohoes and
Richmond cases being brought under the notice
of the Bishops of Albany and Philadel phia, they
dlscaimed the conduct OF each clergyman, but
the very mode OF doing so rather encouraged
than put stop TO these practices. In short, it
seemed to be regarded as result of extreme
zeal IN good cause, rather than as a most n-
proper use OF their priestly position and inhu.
ence.
There is nothing new nor astonishing in the
above, except that the story is told by Catholic,
IN full communion with his church. The publ
cation, however, will do good, and the contest
may eventually, SO far as this country is concer-
ned lead to total separation Of religion and
DOItIcs.-RoSIon Eouritr