The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-27
THE REP u BLIC.
General Pierce and hts Party Judged by
Catholics and Irishmem.

contest. Thsy are conscious that the record is
against them as it affects the Democratic party
in New Hampshire, and against them as it re.
CARDS the claims of Mr.. PIERCE; and they de-
sire as far as possible TO evade question which
perlls their influence amongst classes on whose
support they have hitherto implicitly relied.
The first movement of the Democrats was
TO misrepresent the record which exhibited the
action of the party in New Hampshire in rela-
ton to the test. To that the answer was easy.
The record itself-published in the Wing jour
nals-demonstrated that the Wings of the State
in the main voted for the abrogation Of the test
which has been perpetuated solely by Demo.
cratic votes.
The next plea was that Mr.. PIERCE is ahead
OF his local friends upon this question; but this
proved equally Intellectual. The truth was
shown to be that General PIERCE made no eff.
forts out of doors to relieve his Catholic fellow
citizens, and that his Wanted efforts in the
convention We're limited TO the delivery of a
five minutes speech, after the vote upon the
test had been taken.
Batfled at both points, the Democratic organs
were for weeks studiousy silent upon the ques-
ton. Then came another flourish of trumpets,
and then certificate, signed by thirty six
Catholics, resident at Concord, New Hamp-
shire. avouching that Mr.. PIERCE always
has been aud is-together with his party
friendly to Catholic rights. A little in
qnry brought to light that of the thirty
SIX signatures which weeks of labor had
brought together, some twenty-nine were those
Of parties in the employment of company
whose manager is actively engaged in advanc-
ing the Democratic nomination And so this
last and greatest effort failed as signaly as those
that preceded it.
Now the endeavor is to keep the question
altogether out of sight, under the pretence that
1t relates to religion, and therefore that it can
not properly be discussed in a political cam
paign. This must fail, too. 1t is a sham
throughout, intended to hide political deln-
quencles, and for no other purpose whatever.
At no stage Of the canvass have we introduced
the matter in its theological aspect. With
that we have no desire to NEEDLE. But as
question involving the political and social pr-
vieges OF citizenship, it cannot and ought not
to be shlrked. 1t involves wrong and an in
suit to Catholics, especially to Irish citizens in
New Hampshire; and it is proper that Catho-
lies and lrishmen everywhere should become
acquainted with the connexion which Mr..
PIERcE's friends have had with the mante-
nance of 80 odious disability.
We have said that the PIERCE party have
paraded one certfcate-and that worthless
one-in their favor. We are to-day enabled
to present three certificates against the Demo-
cratic candidate, each signed by large number
of Catholics resident in New Hampshire
Manchester On. H. american. and should be
scattered through the length and breadth of the
land. We place the brietest one first
"NAsHUA, N. II September %, 1852.
awe the undersigned Catholics, and citizens of
Nashua and Nashville, having seen statement
eigned by some thirty six Of our countrymen, in
which it is stated that the Democratic party in
this State has uniformly been opposed to what is
called the Religious Test and that the 'Democ ratio
nominee has exerted himself to erase that odious
feature from the constitution, we feel it our duty
to say that the statement believe is calculated to
men, inasmuch as the Democratic party is respon-
sibe for its retention in the constitutions and that
General Pierce never has to knowledge done
any thing upon that question to recommend him TO
The Catholic votes of this State; WHILE the other
hand, the Wings of these two towns have uniformly
been in favor of striking il out, and voted by large
Inajoritcs in favor Of its abolition "
This is signed by jeremiah Noonan, Patrick
l)DbprtV Su
others.
The next runs thus:
dover, N. H., September 81, 1852.
believing that the Catholics of New England,
md especially of New Hampshire, are placed in
false position, and grossly mis1e presented, by
letter addressed to John White, csq., Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, dated Concord, New Hampshire, Au.
gust 10, 1882 therefore We, Catholics of Do
yer, Newmarket and Somersworth, feel it
duty 70 adopted country and to the
whole people, to ma Ike statement of position.
what we believe to be the position of the great
body OF Catholics in this State and in New Eng
land The representation in the letter above re-
Ierrcd to, that Genera! Franklin Pierce made
powerful efforts in the convention to expunge the
'eligious test from the constitution of New Hamp-
hire, is entirely unfounded in truth, the records
IF that convention will show. We do not question
ne honesty OF those gentlemen whose names are
appended TO that letter, they do not speak from
personal knowledge Of his acts in that convention.
The record, Of the convention, however, will show
the part that General franklin Pierce has taken on
this important subject; and we emphaticdiy deny
that he took the least interest in the removal
Of this foul blot from our State constitution,
and we challenge the proof to the contrary.
Gcneral franklin Pierce has been the oracle Of the
Democratic party in New Hampshire, and had he
held up the odous religious test before them, and
advocated the removal Of this great injustice to n
respectable portion Of citizens the work would
have been accomplished But no, he has never
done it; and upon him must and doe, rest the re-
sponsbiiity. The whole facts in the case are
clearly and truly Get forth by William f. Robin
son, esq, OF New York, from the records OF the
and refer every freshman and
Catholic to his speech this subject for a decided
and truthful account of the whole matter
"Maior General Winfield Scott we recognise
and acknowledge a, our friend, as an advocate of
our qualify, and equal rights, and principie,;
and we hold and believe bic liberal and noble
christian course in Mexico, in respecting and pro.
inault nd