The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-09
ARCHBISHOP HUGHES LECTURE
The Catholic Chapter In tho History Of
the United States.

Arcobshop Hughes delivered his long announced lee
ture Last evening in Metropolitan Hall Subject" The
Catholic Chapter the History Of the United States"
Tn, nrc Of lecturer the subject chosen
snd the that the proceeds be devoted to the
benefit the House Of Protection presided over by the
sisters Of Mercy, combined in bringing together an i'm
aseembiagc-more, indeed. than could be con-
renenty ccommodatedalthough the prices admis-
lion fifty cents and dollar for reserved on
the Archbishop making his appearance the stage
cupsed by numerous array of ecclesisstics he was
greeted with much enthusiasm most of the men stand
ing and cheering vociferously lie clerical habit
OF brown cloth reaching to the feet and bedecked with
PROPULSION Of small red buttons and his breast large
gold crucifx, pendant from chain around his neck.
tie introduced his lecture by stating that accustomed
ne was 60 speak without he feared that his dis
course would not be 20 interesting if he not
obliged to confne himself to manuscript but the
other hand il being historical character referring
dates which IT would be almost impossible to quote
correctly from memory he hoped that the reading would
make compensation for lack Of the freedom OF
ps;ursl delivery. He then proceeded.
American statesmen and orators never more elo-
quent than when they diate the religious equality
which has been guaranteed to all the people this
by the magma charta of their rights and privileges
the constitution of the United States This equality has
not only been proclaimed in theory-t has been reduced
practice. The mode by which the trainers of the
sttuton proposed TO secure it simple and.
original In other countries whether Catholic or Pro-
ieetan there had been legislation establishing recog-
MIXING one predominant creed but sometimes also grant
liberation to dssenters from the doctrine Of the State
religion In all such the rights Of conscience
occurred by affirmative laws; here they have wider
Icope better security by tho constitutional mega
'ion of all to legislate on so sacred subject In
other countries they secured by positive statute
here they safer under constitutional provision
torbddng any such statute to be enacted In other
countries liberation granted by the civil authority
great who framed the constitution asw with
keen and delicate perception that the right 10 tolerate
implied the equal right to refuse olcraton and on behalf
of the United States, civil government they denied
all right 10 egate in the premises the other
Congress shall make no law on the subject of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
As the States had approved and confirmed the
provisions Of the constitution it natural that they
should adjust their local charters in with the
principles OF the great instrument Of federal Union AL
ready, in 1854, Rhode Island had removed the only
heish in her laws this subject-a brief disqusying
clause against Roman Catholics. Pennsylvania and De-
aware believe the only other States at that pc
rod which not under the necessity Of improving
their legislative records by cxpunging clause similar
to that which Rhode Island had repealed and erased be-
fore the general constitution adopted. At very
early day however several Of them followed the example
Some tweEty years ago, North Carolina expurged her
constitution in this respect in part doubt owing to
der esteem and regard for of her cherished
himseifa Catholic the late Judge Garrison man whose
character such that could not but reflect honor
his native State and country Within Pc
rod New Jersey also unprompted and Of own accord
revised and improved her constitution in this respect
New Hampshire however, clings to her old unatcred
charter in which is clause disabling Catholics on ac-
count Of their religion from holding any Office in the
State Her distinction therefore, among her sister
sssses may be described in the words Of the poet
"'Ts the last rose Of summer,
Left blooming alone
Al Not %s f sSssIy s SH@P' sans'
The dsusltyng clause ia. suppose dead letter; the
Ceho,ios of New Hampshire must be very few On the
whole have doubt but that the lberaty of coun-
Try at large has mbued the people Of New Hampshire with
kDdest feelings towards Roman Catholics 1t
also be said TO her credit that she of the three
states who suggested TO the trainers of the constitution
the very csse which have cited and which guarantees
TO all the people Of this widely extended Union the perfect
and perpetual equality Of religious rights and freedom
conscience 1t only regretted that after having
performed at early period, the function OF index
pointing out at the the path in which her
thirty sisters advancing peacefully and prosper
sy shc should continued stationary and be found
The last to practise what she had been among the first
preach.
But not in re-adustng the dead letter Of written
state constitutions, that the people Of this Union
or1ned TO the and liberal order which had been
sanctioned by their authorized delegates in convention
They lsbored TO Undue themselves and those around
'hem with IT. spirit and its life The Legislature te
,uiye the Judiciary the pulpit the bar We'd with each
other In chershng and utering sentiments
tor the ssordness Of what had been sanctioned in the
provisions OF the federal constitution II the print
tive sge Of American patriotism trust however that
# may deserve to be called. in comparison with
eubsequent periods Of possible degeneracy the Golden
Age" But. at all events it period in which the
great men Of the country Of all professions brought their
sentiments their conversation and actions controlled
nu brought even the preudces of their youth and
-ufatsn into harmony with the order Of civil re
gio and social life, which had been wisely provided
for in the federal covenant Such example could not
tail furnish KEY universal Of Ameri
patriotism which it has not yet lost, and which
trust, IL never will forget or alter.
Roman Catholics at least have reason TO remem-
her and to cherish it, 1t il stated by Of hiso
rians, that at the commencement Of the revolutionary
except in the city Of Penn there hardly another
place in the Colonies in which by authority Of the
laws of the land Catholic priest could celebrate mass
Now there is no law against 1t anywhere.
In view Of this wonderful change may be indeed it
has been asked why Catholics in America do not
at least petition for similar alterations Of the laws in
such countries Italy Spain and
Portugal? This, in my opinion, is very silly question
Catholics in America have more to do with the civil
governments Of Italy Spain, and Portugal than they
have to do with those Of England Russia Turkey But
me quesupn may pernsP oe pes. annwereT ~ p Go
Professionals. not induce England and the PROTESTANT
states OF Northern Europe to initiate the Of this
country and aboh all yisiation tie subject of re-
iigon or prohibiting re free exercise thereof
An sach ques'iors, either side appear to me not
p se.y s.~ in Themselves. but entirely out OF place
coua| like this. II Is equally out Of place, and
sN"SsaOlr untrue to assert assume that this is u
NOV &C country Protestant country 1t is neither
- land OF religious freedom and equality aud hope
that in this respect it shall remain just what i to
The latest poeterty. There however certain parties
NV t nr ~ The constit,;ion and Of the primitive mon
the republic, who, by word deed and example ushered
into the every day business OF American national life
Even this portion OF the public mind constrained to ex
hbit, 90 exhibit its surface. formal
respect for pubic law and constitutional right But stu
beneath that surface and in the lower depths there yet
survives certain vague traditional memory Of Proes-
tan cendaocy fed by hereditary prejudice to the e
feet that in civilized state where Protesans const
tute the great majority Of the people Catholics ought to
be satisfied With subordinate position, and BE- very
grateful al that for the privileges which the hber
atty cf Professionalism in this country permits them to
enjoy.
TO nn II l. pleasure as well os n duty TO feel and
exhibit gratitude where gratitude is due. But no col
cctor need cab for tribute Of gratitude,
unless he show better claim than this on account
OF Kind Offices rendered grateful, and bound TO
be loyal TO the country large, for the benefits which
I enjoy in a legal and constitutional way. am not a
citizen by the brthrigbt Of nature but the constitu
ton and laws have conferred the birthright OF
civil and political nativity; For this am grateful
II have understood the subject this makes me equal
borr the law, 10 any other citizen Of this Union-aDd
What more need any desire-vhat less should any
one, who has been deemed worthy TO be enrolled
the list o. citizens, be willing 10 submit TO !! What
Catholics therefore, in this country they not
by the favor u spontaneous benevoence but by posi-
live right whether natural and original legal AID
acquired
The object Of this lecture then will be to show that