The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-08
Intolerance and Persecution a, Buffalo.

Intolerance and Persecution at Buffalo.
1t is a matter of extreme regret, that the large
amount Of talent displayed, and the heavy eontrbu.
tons of money expended in the United States, os-
tensiby for the benefit Of the Christian community
Should not accomplish more rational good than is
done thereby Thore remains spirit Of persecution
amongst those having temporary power and authori-
ty among the people, which IS absolutely lamanta.
ble to witness. But tie mere teachings of secta-
rianism, the arraying Of one portion of society
against another, upon religious tenets and articles
OF faith and the logged and obstinate perseverance
practised among certain leading and influential
citizens, it is feared viii pat off the day very fur.
perhaps TO the sounding OF Gabriel's truno, when
the lions and the lambs viii dwell together in unity
and mingle in brotherly Kindness.
We are led TO these reflections from seeing a card
published in the public papers OF Buffalo in which
II is directly charged that the elgous privileges of
the inmates Of the almshouses of our country are
unrt asonaby restricted The facts youched tor are
these That the Catholic inmates Of that public in
sti,ution were directed TO attend. on sundays Pro
testant worship, aud upon refusing, were punished
by the authorities having charge of the a'u ,hoase;
that request was frequently male to pselt the
pauper catholics to attend seek or once
fortnight, the Catholic church, which is oaly SNORT
distance which was refused Thai permis on wa.
asked to allow q Catholic c,eI lyman 10 cple-
brate worship within the limits Of one OF the rooms
OF the almshouse the same as the protestant
clergy, which also peremptorily refused by Mr.
Brace, the superintendent, under direction Of the
boald, who remarked, that "to admit any but pro-
testant minister to oficiate there on the Sabbath
was against the strict rules of the institution and
i my In ~ Ia
United States contrary to the constitution of the
State Of New York. and would be, Tin his opinion)
violation Of is oath of Office, and also of his con-
science"
Now, this deliberate display of bgotry, intoe-
rance, and prescription, shows the narrow minded
ness OF set of from whom the manifestations
of more generous spirit might have been expected.
The msfortuDe-or iInprudence, you please-of be-
coming public charge to parish Countrywide
horror Of being poverty stricken, inGrm, aged, or
diseased-is sufficiently aggravating and harrassng
to the mind, without having that mind circum-
scribed and controlled by religious influences. 1t
matters not whether those unfortunates happen to
believe in the Protestant or Catholic faith, they
should be permitted to exercise their own vo-
ltion, and to worship at their own altar. Aud
if any consolation can be obtained by the
observance Of religion faith, there are no
class Of persons on this earth who should
be allowed freer permission than the inmates Of
almhouses who have already one foot in the grave.
We think this conduct of the Buffalo managers de-
serves the seyerest apprehension. Why do they
pretend to make Discrimination? Were they
elected TO superintend theological institution and
dictate what sort of Greet shall be promulgated
Have they the right to exclRde the Catholics, the
Jews, or any of the believers in the original forms
of worship, and say that other shall be admit
ted except Of the Presby Baptist Methodist
order
Let them take heed. Let them rescind that OBJ
noxious unpopular decree, before is too late This
question will be taken up by the Catholics Of the
State in one united body, and join the other
political party whose Almshouse Superintendents
are not obnoxious to the charge. It may have
powerful tendency in the present campaign, and the
course Of intolerance pursued by those public officers
at Buffalo, may operate as an injury to the party
which they are attached, in the November election.
Have a oare-the ballot box is mighty instrument
in the hands of determined men.