New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-04-10
Catholic Church Propcrty--O'Keefe's Bill.

have long admired the bold intrepidity
with which you discuss the various topics Of public In
teres. as they arise through not unfrequensy your
views are entirely In opposition to my own From your
independent position | have thought few suggestions
would be admitted into your columns, respecting meas
ure which, II successfully urged, regard as important
In lie future consequences upon the welfare OF the state
alude TO the bill Of Mr. OkERFB, In our state Legs
laure to vest the property Of the Roman Church IN
Its Bishops"
The City papers, generally well posted and intelligent
in csnvassng political questions have for some reason
maintained upon this subject entire silence Is because
the purposes of the bill not appreciated or that It
looked upon religious controversy 1t 10, In
truth eminently pure political question 1t is nothing
less than effort to change the entire policy OF our Gov
eminent in respect ecclesiastical estates The follow
ing is the second section of the proposed bill
SIC All eonveysnces of real or personal estate or OF any
heretofore hereafter made unto by the descp
on Of bishop aebshcp of any place within the State Of
NswYork and TO his office, shall be good and
valid TO all nens and purposes 10 rest the legal title in
tended by such conveyance such person. being the time
such ordinary tso drehbhop and IN such persons from
time shall be the in office Of such ordinary
bishop archbishop a"d other v,at
The reader Of History viii readily the effect Of
such law.
Archbishop Hughes has Issued his circular demanding
the passage of this bill This document ignores the most
notorious facts. For upward of two hundred years
eugge has been maintained to rid of the power OF
the priesthood resulting from concentrated wealth under
the control Of church dgnitares. In England, series
of statutes generally known by the name OF the Statutes
Of Hortmain were enacted TO accomplish this object
They introduced" says Chancellor Kent during
the establishment and grandeur of the Roman Church.
check the ecclesiascs from absorbing In perpetuy
Ia hands that die all the lands of the Kingdom
and thereby Withdrawing them from public charges"
With full appreciation of the evil our ancestors early
adopted line OF policy designed to prevent this mighty
centralized power. Bishop Hughes alleges that this leg.
islaton in accordance with the peculiar wishes Of
Protestant denominations This is altogether Incorrect
Thee laws passed in direct opposition to such
wishes The property of the Episcopal Church. for us
traton, had previously been vested In their Bishops.
That sect were Of course partial to that mode Tho
some was true Of other Protestant denomnations
But the discerning statesmen who guided our young
Republic designed to guard against Protstsn az well a.
Roman Catholic domination To effect this Statutes
prescribed,
let That ali ecelesiaseal property should DO held
by certain trustees yestry men, to be elected by tho
congregation of their respective churches.
ID That the amount OF property TO be held by reli
gious corporations should be restricted and limited hnd
only be used for church purposes.
3D. That such corporations could receive property
by dtpis< except when expressly authorized to do
Varous restraints upon the power Of acquiring by de-
we were imposed BY some Statutes mo person leey
ing wife child devise to such corporations moro
than oHeovfh Of bis estate shall any will be valid
giving them property which shall not have been mado
and executed at least o months before the death of the
estator" They required report periodically
the Legislature the value OF their property and larger
amount were acquired than 90 authorized suoh corpora
lions would be dissolved.
BIsHoP HuGuEs Il not to be suspected Of misundor
standing the scope and design Of such provisions IL
10 prevent accumulation Of wealth ia an irrespon
sble Church Olgarchy, and IL aimed - much sasin<
Professionals Roman Catholics.
Yet, in the face Of such facts this bill OF OKRnPns
sooly introduced, overriding and breaking down those
admirable safeguards Of jealous forcfahers IL u
now deliberately proposed TO grant 10 the Roman Church
powers and privileges Rheh haze been seduiousv cAih
had roU all other asn0mtnotions The proposed law Il
viii be observed makes restriction amount or
the mode OF acquiring by devise otherwise, or the
of The use Of he ri lions 90 10 be vested i Ri.b
ops The business of banking or constructing OF rail.
roads or canals could be carried with npunisy by
the corporation sole created by this Osher de-
nominations have right 70 complain at this partial leg.
lson but the friends of Free Government 6ave rgbt
10 oppose such high-handed measure. Hear Bishou
Hu hess justification Of the bill
II scme should imagine that this ccsh be accom-
pshed BY local trustees elected time 10 tiue
uusy the among Protestant denominations oar a.
.SsI "a ha Il we are entitled to religious equality before
tne law We should be allowed hold and nanase onr rs
hEous and chsabe property conformity with our own
seelesssticsi discipline.
The Rev gentleman here svades and sopbsssic..es ,hs
question man Of his intelligence well underx,ands
THAT our laws on this subject intended 10 check
and restrain al religious denominations They nrocead
upon ne assumption that Protestant pretes possess tho
PANE love u power and ambition 10 dominecr a. (sho
he prelates
All history informs rs TINT concentrated wealth ia the
hands OF b hope and church masnaes has ever proved
dangerous 10 popular freedom Ca&t your evas ~ ~, -
lands you would contemplate the extent 81 tbis to-
a evil England with i church estates In the hapds Of
bhloIs and ordinsres, downrodden Spain, Oppressed
nay degraded South America and Mexico With theiy
panpered priesthood. Look If you will ri fowey Car
ada where the entire politics Of the country are con
the priesis ~ &C Aeios "
ns auempt TO introduce this system into sa country
WIN It's endless train Of evils has no better aolav
ns we are entitled 10 religious equality before ia
err tissipsssx" "'90'~sT ~SS
mi IFtlrD - II
rrenTf and decided ssjssaoA ' S~,m e.