The daily union., 1852-10-05
From me Baltimore Catholic Mir
CATHOLIC voters and the Presidency.

We give below letter from Archbishop Hughes, in
reply 10 letter addressed TO him by Thomas j. Semmes,
ESQ., oil LOUISIANA The letter OF Mr. Semmes calls the
attention OF the Archbishop 10 the in circulation
that The bishops OF the Catholic Church recommending
10 Their people 10 vote against General Pierce and thereby
punish the State of New Hampshire for the ntoleranf
clause which Is still retained in the constitution OF that
State
The ground taken by Archbishop Hughes is such as
Catholics could expect for they have always known
their clergy never Interfere with the political contests OF
the country, and that but IN very instances do they
even vote. The Catholic citizens have never allowed
their religion TO be drawn into political matters nor have
We solitary instance where Catholic has refused 10
vote for candidate because he was Protestant while
on The other hand we have TOO many instances OF the
deieai OF political candidates for no other than
their Caholcliy An effort has been made. in the pres
eat contest for The presidency to drag in the Catholic
gion mol by Catholics, but by politicians OF op
posed to them every point OF religious belief and were
u not Tor the high stand taken by the Catholic press
throughout the country, we would have sacred faith
banded about by every demagogue who roams the
country IT, IN expressing their reprobalion oil such
course ON the part OF politicians, Catholic editors found
u necessary TO deny the charge brought against General
Pierce. they did but an act Of duty and having thus
cued Their religion from the political strife, lett the two
parties to battle for their candidates upon the only ques-
oRs which should have been contested from the begin
ming When we find such men as Robinson, on the one
sde and Doheny on the other, assume the duty OF lee
turing Catholics, and thus singing them out from the
OF their fellow citzens, shall not fail the
public that they are not authorities worthy OF Catholic
applied for the patronage OF his counymen and know
too well the disreputable which he has since
made for their Kindness. The latter has been known
ever since he figured as the wild of Slievenamon,
and we have yet TO find in his history quality 10 en
tie him to the position OF guide TO either Catholics or
good citizens OF any cline or of any party. Were the
charge true against General Pierce the Catholic press had
but TO remain silent or openly endorse ii but,
not true, they were morally obliged to deny it--,hey
could not evade itand in doing this they but doing
to Others they ,Oouid uih others to do hsm But
one motive acualed the honorable of the Catholic
presshat of preserving their religion from the uncon-
genial contact of politics and politicians In instance
has Catholic paper spoken of the merits dement's of
either candidate. ln no instance. matter what may
b. the individual preference of the editor, ha. Catholic
paper advised its readers to vote for this candidate for
the other. What press has done in the OF Gen
Pierce would have done for Gen Scott the case
reversed The presidential contest must b, fought upon
its own ground. The Catholic religion must not be
brought into the fight