Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-01


Ma. EpiroR Sir: lnmy last Il wos e'''rlyI
shown that, according 10 The teachings Of the
Romish Church, those who are not l9cmbers OF
that establishment have no rights, kept
perhaps to become the implicit slaves OF tue
Pope Of Rome, and his priests;--to believe all
sihey say and DO I'll they command, without the
fright TO ask il what they say is true, or what
gthoy command is equitable and just.
] In confirmation Of this conclusion, | make
Flew more quotations, from The Shepherd Of the
Valley paper published in our own State, sir,
4 and emanating from city which is honored
with the residence Of Romish Bishop and many
inferior clergy.
The language is plain and perspcuouS-the
Ftone frank and fearless, - and not being suiii-
Fciently eniginatical to shield the intoleran'
/ land anti-repubican spirit of Romanism from The
findignant rebuke of a patriotic press; faint
show of disapproval, from few Romish wrl'
tiers is doubtless regarded as sufficient atone.
kment 10 the American people for th eappearanct
sof these sentiments al his lime.
But to the quotation:
1--WE have said that we are not advocates FOL
treligious freedom, and we repeat we are not,
"The liberty to believe contrary TO the teach
Sings of the Church is the liberty to believe lie
the liberty TO think otherwise than she permits
kis the liberty to abuse the mind and pollute the
Imagination
u Again-'The Church. zoe admit, is Of neceSSi
,fty intoler0nt, that Isl she does everything an he
pore TO check as eiGectually as circumstance
kwiH permit the progress of crime and error Hel
intolerance follows necessarily from her claims
of nfallibility. She alone has the right to be IN
faiolcrdnt'
Again IIeresy, she inserts in her catalogue
fkcf mortal sins; she endueS ,ohen and lchere Sh
SmuSt, but she hates it, and directs all her ener
! gies to effect its destruction.
81 Every sentiment, teaching and practice whel
Kdiners from hers is, in her sight, 'hcresy,' Sin
ri Fidelity 'heathenism, 'crime'-4and Protestant
FiSm of every grade is this mortal death-deserv
! Hing sin, and the Romish Church does and 'cil
n lido everything an her pOwer TO destroy extermi
0 MATE these thinkings, teachings and practices
keven if that cherished object should require tn
ekpersecution, prescription, Punishment or dealt
dXof those who think, teach, or practice thes
r. things.
\ 'Ah, says one, that may have been the spiri
! land practice of the Roman Catholic Church i
VI other countries, III the dark ages; but she Wi
mot attempt TO enforce her sentiments in Amer
S Sica. See how kind and tolerant she is here!
ii Yesl she tolerates, 'endures Professionalism her
IS Snow, because it is 'expedient' because ssh
= must'-because she has not the physical port
to destroy it; but, Tin our opinion, as certain
l. las there is God in Heaven, just so certainl
eEwill the Roman Catholic Church, if she ever get
1T the pouer in America, destroy, cxterminatC
Isl Professionalism Of every form--annhlate Rel
l. Egous liberation, and bind the physical energie
IS Yof our descendants 10 the ponderous car-an
ID Nconfne the labors Of their immortal minds will
,eKin the iron-bound circle prescribed by the PoT
-sxof Rome. In proof of this, read 'the Shepher
Iyof the Valley" again:
az elf the Catholics ever gain-which they sur,
-gy will do, though at distant day--an immen:
% numerical majority, Religious freedom in th
II kcoanfryis at an end. So say our enemies. s
give believe"
u And now sir, ask, are we, the sons of Il
Ell Fathers who shed their blood to secure for
nxthe liberty to worship God according to our ow
-Xeonscence,' without the fear of molestation
Npersecuton shall we, with the declaration
o-Awhich have quoted from Roman Catholic at
is thors, impudeutly staring us in the face, lazi
oNclose our eyes, and whisper peace, peace, whC
ley there is no peace?-and say there is no danger
= Swhile we ingloriously fold orr arms, and ST
sEpidly enclose 10 our bosom the serpent whit
le is warming into life, only that it may sting us
,yX death? May Heaven and our country's go
e. forbid! DELTA,