Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-07-21
FOR TIE ApYERrIsEp:

VIZ I-bouI
-<~>--
FOR THE ApvERTIsER:
MEssRs. EDrroRs I'm your last paper you COM
mcnt with severity, and perhaps Justly, certain
communication to the Catholic Miscellany. AS its
author and matter are unknown 10 me have no
thing TO say in that respect. Upon that occasion
however you say that Roman Catholic preponicr-
ancc in America will ring the dcath-kncll Of civil
liberty"
Is it possible Surrounded as We are with no
little bgotry and ignorance, it is generally unsafe to
resist popular prcjudiecs while to accord with, or
even sulcnly acqucsce in them. is both aafc and
profitable. You however are not actnated by so
sorld or mean a spirit as this-snee you proffrr
tic use of your columns 10 the discussion Of this
grave accusation against the Catholics and in doing
so you have put every honest enquirer after truth
under great obligations. -.
never hear Of the loss of civil liberty" or Of
intellectual or political liberty without rcoiling at
the thought. Being the descendant Of n family
who shed their blood for this inestnablc blessing
should fceltruly .drgen.rated did not appreciate
it,: and apart from, this conside.aon my education,
me TO unite in the vulgar hue and cry against the
Catholic religion. And whcn.I consider my real
dependence upon the. patronage Of my friends and
felluw-czens, confess the temptation to close my
eyes to what appears to be the truth md TO disci-
plinei my mind to think as they think-fec as they
fcel-bclicye as they brevc-affec, as they affect
and net as they act is almost too great for MY virtue
| To withstand
| But on the other hand feel, If ]. be true .la,
this is really land of civil liberty whose friend
and advocate you would seem to BE-, disposed to
think and speak little for myself under the pro-
lection of this great constitutional privilege. You
may be right in what you say. If so shall GER
tanly join you for the idea Of vinaica,ing what is
said to be not only dabolical impasurc in religion,
but an absolute destroyer of civil liberty" also, is
too bad j, is unnatural! and you could lot confer
perhaps greater favor upon your friend, than To
establish the affirmative Of this proposition We
desire nothing but the truth and the Whole truth,
to discern which we trust have sufficient mental
aptitude when duly cxpounlrl. If I am properly
advised, it is true that now while your Mrthodists
and l'aptists aud other zealnts in religion at the
North are clamourng ike maddcncd hvcnas for the
dissolution OF the onion "bccausc slavery is legal
lied, )" the Catholics in spite Of their popular and
all-powerul fury have held fast to their integrity
and nobly defend the Constitution and the liberties
nnl institutions which it guarantees. In doing so
they cvnce Themselves the worthy sons tf their
patriotic and Catholic ancestry, many Of whom were
leaders in our revolution. When it was certain that
the sgncrs Of our Declaration Of Independence
would be Put to death If they should f, to achieve
their independence, bold patriot declared himself
to be " CHARLES CARROLL Of Carrolton - and
thus his name stands written to this dav upon our
Declaration Of Independence This man was de-
voted Catholic who rendered his country not mere
his personal services bu, brought his large fo-
tune to her relief in the day of her distress; while
other Wligs, of whom you may be proud, were
actually fattenng on the spois Of war.
Suffer me to offer the testimony of witness who
was under very favorable circumstances for learn
ing few facts upon this subcct-onc whose dsin-
tcrestcdncss and honesty and intelligence qualified
him to speak the truth, mean tue great leader of
the revolution hmsclf-thc immortal WAsnISGroS
After the acquisition Of independence the Catholics
made upon certain occasion, all address to WASH
ISGroS-an address which no one had the injustice
to gansay in that day, although more suitable oc-
cason and time could not be conceived for the facts
were then fresh in the public mind and the witness
cs still alive.
In that address they say to WASHINGTON
F" Whilst our country preserves her freedom and
we (Catholics) shall haze well
founded title to claim from her justice the equal
rights Of citizenship the price of blood split
under your eyes and our common exertions for
her defence under your auspcious conduct"
This is the title which Catholics claim, and here
you have the price which they paid for it Was
there one so unjust as then to deny this right and
title Was there one so false to himself and toli,
country as then to deny that they had paid the
t price" under the eyes of WAsnlsGTos. Let
WASHINGTON himself speak,
The following is Ills. reply, which commend to
III religious bigots and political tyrants =
AS mankind become more liberal, they will be
more apt to allow, that all those who conduct them
elves Us worthy members Of the community, are
equally entitled to the protection Of the civil govern
nent / hope ever to see America amongst the
orelost nations in examples of justice and ibera-
y. And presume that your fellow-ciilzens will
lot forget the patriotic part which you (Cathocs)
ook in the accomplishment Of their revolution and
he establishments Of their Government, or the lnl-
'ortant assistance which they received from ma h
ion in which tho Roman Catholic faith is procsscd