The New York herald., 1851-10-30

Father Mathew and the Religious Press.
The last number of the Isdeyendext-a religious
paper, published in this city-contained an attack
on the venerable and good Father Mathew, which
exhibits a malignity totally at variance with the
spirit of Christianity 1t stated that the report Of
Father Mathews Indebtedness was a sheer fabrica-
tion-that the Hon. Mr.. Clay, who entertained the
Apostle of Temperance at his hospitable house n
Kentucky, and who used his influence towards
raising contribution for him. well his friends
had been duped; and that Mr.. Clay's friends
here, who united with him in the movement, want
ed to make political capital for that distinguished
statesman, among our Irish population, and that
Father Mathew entirely free from debt. The
editor the editors of this journal-for there are
half dezen Of them-likewise say that when the
movement was first set ON fost, they had suspi-
cion that the story of Father Mathews indebted
ness was fabrication, or, in other words, that that
smiable, pious, and venerable priest had reserted
to fasehood and deception, for the purpose of ope
rating on the sympathies of the American people,
and swindliHg them out of thirty forty thousand
dollars.
Before making such sweeping charges as these
against public man, and he a minister of the
gospel of the Messiah, it might be supposed
that the reverend editors of the Independent
would have satisfied themselves that they were
right. This they did not, would not, do.
All they wanted was to have fling at Father
Mathew, solely because he is Catholic priest and
seizng the slightest pretext, these amiable gentle
men, with snow white neckershiefs, and holiness
and piety depicted every feature Of their coun-
tenances, launched their shafts at the Irish priest,
and in so many words pronounced him an impostor.
"Out of his own mouth" said they, eve will con.
Wet him." and accordingly they published gar.
bled letter which the Apostle of Temperance wrote
to friend of his in Boston, in the month of Janu.
ary, 1850 which contained the following: -"Having
now extricated myself, = = l now for the first
time find myself perfectly Free" This the chari.
table clergymen who edit the Independent, have
distorted into, "We have before US the evidence of
Father Mathew himself that he is entirely free
from debit
Now, what are the facts in the case, and under
what circumstances was this letter writtenl They
are plain and simple. And before making such an
Infamous charge against the good Father Mathew,
the editors Of the Independent could, if they were
so disposed, have made themselves acquainted with
them When Father Ma!he " arrived in this coun-
try, a movement was commenced by his country
and leave balance sufficient to support the good
old man for the brief remainder of his days. The
movement was unsuccessful, only a sam less than
three thousand dollars was collected at that
time This sum Father Mathew received;
and after having promised that it should be
devoted to the spread of te importance, he said he
then, for the first time found himself perfectly free
to 60 on with his glorious mission The context
of he thare nil ha
thrown aside, and the parts that would have ex.
planned it were omitted and put in their
place. This is the manner in which the pioss and
reverend editors of the Independem seek to impugn
the character of Father Mathew as a man of truth
and veracity, AMI to prevent the people of this
country from contributing to his relief. But we
could not expect anything better from that journal
The Independent is the most intolerant and bigot.ed
religious journal published in the United States.
Every arrow which it discharges is poisoned, and q
spirit Of gall and wormwood pervades every article
it contains /. is full time that its character was
exposed II lacks one Of the great elements of
Christianity charity. 1t countenances opposit on to
constitutorally enacted laws, even to the spilling
Of blood, and is Of the worst fees of our polit-
cal institutions. If its preaching we're to prevail,
the Southern States would be converted into q Sc
cend San Domingo, the fires of Smith6eld would
be re-kindled, and duped and deceived mankind
would again "cut each others throats for the love
Of Cod
In relation to the efforts that are being made 20
raise /" Father Mathew Fund.-" we sincerely hope
they will be successful. A man who has done 50
much coed for his race, in Europe and in tAis coun
try, should not be allowed to be incumbered with
dsbt, nor should his simple wants be unsuppled for
tie remainder Of his life. He has effected more
good in bis humble way, than hsy parsons fthe Is
depetdeHt school could effect in thousand years;
and it will be disgrace to the United States If he
leaves our shores-which he will shortly do forever
without receiving testimonial Of the manner in
which the American people appreciate a pastor
who, like Father Mathew, devoted his talen. and
ability to the good Of his species; who expended his
fortune and mis- means in the good work; who-one
in ten thousand-literally took up the cross and
followed the example Of his Master, the great foun-
der Of Christianity.
The FAIR OF THE AMERICAN IssTrTUTE-THE