The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-27

health Of whom / know you honor-who,
! have reason to know, deserves to be honored,
In time like this, when the forces the inyincible
forces of truth and religion and passions in men
are in conflict with each other when hui
man Legislatures are attempting to elued ne the
presence Of truth, and the consequences Of its belief
and profession. 1t is at this very time Catholics
ought to feel more confidence in our position, for,
Notwithstanding the discouragements Of earth, per-
haps there has been no period in modern history in
which more numerous and more distinguished ac-
cessions to our religion have taken place from those
who, by adopting a different course, might have
promoted their worldly interests, than the one in
which we live; and if there is anything could add
TO the pleasure experience from the cordial recep
ton you bave given me, it is this, that my first
landing in Liverpool as now, discovered, being
brought into communion with the Catholic Club,
what took to be very fair and honorable spe Vi
men of the feeling which ought to pervade the Ca
thocs Of this empire and that is feeling OF perfect
"a good old English word well known on board
ships--of perfect steadness (Applause.) There
was pulse-a good, healthy, hearty, Catholic
pulse, beating but then, it was neither faint falt
erng, nor feverish, nor is it now and it is this
gentlemen, you and your countrymen should pre-
pare to meet whatever may result from the debe-
ratons OF your senate in regard to Of the rights
Of our religion (Applause) do not know that
the Catholic Church has asked anything Of the
British legislature; do not think they have asked
single favor; and if you will permit me to present
it in the form it presents itself to my mind Should
say that the highest obligation which the Pope and
the hierarchy sought from the British government
was the loan of few letters of the alphabet
Qaughter)-the English alphabet, which we
Of Melpotamus, or what is it you might take an
other set of letters and if the legislature of Great
Britain thinks it important to legslate against this
that is their affair. daughter and applause.) But
still, amidst this, the Catholic Church, sustained
by force more than human, is making conquests
on every sde witness the great men who have
adorned that communion which has all the support,
honors, and wealthy emolumens of the legislature.
IknSn IN .1n
over and be associated with the hu nble and de-
spised-who by rabble are held up to rdcule and
contempt. When these things are going on, de-
pend upon it there is no great reason for anxiety
our part. Look at those who have come anon
you in the midst Of tempest unaccountable as it
is to me; for when they brought me papers
board, thought it was trick Of editors to get up
an excitement Laughter) Then | could not
comprehend it-now think can but shall not
give my grounds till We see what may happen. In
the meantime, the Catholic religion is triumphant,
andmore triumphant because nothing is done by
human effort to sustain it, and because all the great
influences which sustain this earth are, in great
measure arrayed against it. And when you see
such men as could enumerate-distinguis she'd men
of that proud establishment Of religion by act of
legislation coming over to us-l have no ground of
apI rehension. We give them exchange-for IN
stance, now and then such man as Gavazzi We give
them for a hundred of theirs. Laughter and APP
plause) | shall conclude, gentlemen, by indicat-
ing my respect to all, but particularly for who
is present, by proposing the health Of our dstin-
guished chairman. cloud appause.)
The toast was received with all the honors
The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The United
states and their Institutions founded, they were,
on the true principles Of religious freedom The
toast was duly honored.
The Most Rev. DR.. HUGHEs was called upon to
respond to the toast. Whenever there is contro
yersy between a Catholic and Protestant, the
Protestant is sure to claim religious freedom as
cry that is POPULAR and Of right belongs to his
side clear. hear). So far as the United States
are concerned, must qualify the cry very much,
and will tell you how religious freedom occurred
there. In some former times it not here, as
the Puritans found, for they went to America for
the purpose of enjoying it,; but they never meant
it should be enjoyed by any but themselves (hear,
hear, and laughter)-and they began to be rs in
tolerant, and far more prosecuting, than the country
from which they fed. There were other colonies,
to religious caste and we had Catholic colony,
for which will claim the honor Of having set the
first example of religious freedom which is known
on the pages Of universal history. That was the
colony of Maryland, to which the prosecuted quaker
ofMssachusetts, and the prosecuted presbyterian
of Virginia. fed from the opposite State, place
Of refuge, and in which they found their rights i'm
mediately recognized. When they came To think
they had lived long enough to set up housekeeping
tor themselves they met, and amongst other things
the question Of religion came up; and do you now
why they have religious freedom! Because they
could not agree on any one religion that should be
predominant. (Hear, hear, and laughter) |
would take from the Protestants the merit of pro-
claiming religious freedom, for have read good
deal; and to this day never found single instance
where Professionalism granted religious freedom
where it was in its power to wthholdit. (Applause)
What kind Of freedom, they say, have you at
Rome! That does not justify the comparison.
Rome never had but one religion, and for whom
would they make religious freedoml (Hear.) The
Roman people did not desire it; they had not Pc
titioned for it. Look to Fran.e, with her thirty
eight millions of inhabitants Of which only two
and half millions Protestants. and are not
the Protestants recognized well the Catholicsl
Clear, hear.) Was not that fair specimen Had
they ever, for a moment, thought Of insulting
Protestant minister because he called himself by
title which bis community conferred upon hint
After returning thanks the part of America, the
Doctor concluded by proposing the memory Of
The company broke up shortly after eleven
o'clock.
American Matters and Manners.