The daily union., 1852-08-03
General Pierce aud the Religious Test in New
Hampshire.

General Pierce aud the Religious Test in New
Hampshire.
The whg leaders making determined and
concerted effort 10 show that no Catholic can vote for
Franklin Pierce ior President OF the United States bal
the they give for this appeal is n the hghes, de-
gree original and amusing They do not deny that Gen.
era Pierce labored expunge the religious test from The
constitution of New Hampshire they do NOT DENY that
he is eminenily liberal and enlightened friend OF re-
gous toeralon they successfully deny that the
democ ratio party favored, and the whig party in New
Hampshire opposed, The abrogaon of the religious test
they do moi deny that at the last attempt 10 remove
this test every democratic paper advocated its abro-
galion and every whig paper in New Hampshire OPP
posed IT, because these the facts and the figures
OF history. and stand out upon the record, inviting
answer and defying reiuaion But they allege that no
Catholic can vote for any who lives in New Hamp-
shire, or IN any State which contains such test in It's
constitution This is the point 10 which all the whg
energy is now directed on this subjeci--this is the
cry raised by them in every Catholic neighbohood
or community. We have called this an original argu-
ment but It IS not so. 1t is a sort of Improvement
upon The doctrines OF the native. American leaders,
OF General Scott, and other foes of religious toe-
ration and civil liberty What is the difference be.
tween holding man guilty of wrong because he was
born in another country and holding him respon-
sble Tor the errors of those who have preceded him
in the State in which he yeserrors which he has en-
deavored zealousy, but vainly to eradicate None at
all General Scott proposed repeal all naturalization
laws, a few years ago. upon the ground OF holding
lrshman, German, Frenchman, deserving OF dis
franchisement because of the accident of birth His
friends nowask that the people should vote against Gen.
eral Piercp bpcauRp he w horn md in Ma
Hampshire There is little difference as to the degree OF
ignomny attached 10 the offenders respectively and moi
particle 10 the principle.
How far this ride ulous and revolving principle NAV be
carried glance will show No matter how eminent
the character, how brilliant the life, how saIuary
the services and how long and useful the career of any
citizen if ne was born and resided in New Hampshire
he neuer 10 reciue The zoe of Catholic! There was
brave and impetuous officer at Lundy's Lane, whose
name, not bazoned like SCOTS, has come down 10 pos
teny covered with immortal goryo He marched through
the red throat Of baI,e and when invited to the achieve
ment which he consummated, his only answer was,
will try, sir; and try he did, history has recorded in
characters of glowing truth. That man was The Illus
trious Marion of the Northwest Colone James Miller,
Of New HampMue! Were he now living, he might be
named for Enthusiastically with as much claim TO
as Gen. Scott on the ground of military galany; and
yet he would be deprived of the Of the Catholics
because he lived in New Hampshire! And by whom
deprived By man, and by the friends of man. who
have done more to encourage the prescription of the
adopted citizens for opinions and for counrys sake than
any other men alive. The brave Gen Slarke the
gallant Gen. Sullivan, and the patriotic Poor and Scam
mel, emneny distinguished in the war OF the revelation
were all New Hampshire men, and would all be oslra-
clzed and prescribed by the rule which the wings apply
To franklin Pierce if these usrous heroes were now
living and presented in connexion with any high office
This rule would overlook deny 10 them the credit of
having fought and bed for their country OF having served
in the darkest hours and of having suffered the seveTes
prvatons in the memorable struggle OF the revolution
And strange to say, that for living in State in which
religious test existed 10 which they would all probably
have been opposed and which fastened on the State
by the federal whg party they would be denied the votes
OF the Catholics on the most malignant native Ameri-
alien law principle
The whig leaders have eaped their mark in irving
to apply this principle 10 franklin Pierce and have
unconscously exhibited the country, new and more
glarng coors their deep devotion those odious doc
uhes of John Adams which prevailed during the reign
OF terror, which marked by the alien and sedition
laws.