Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-10
CATHOLIC RULE.

N@se@N~eN
Wherever there is Catholic rule there is blight,
Look at Catholic governed Spain; once the
first Of mOnarchies now in the lowest depths Of
degradation; her people dying by dozens in the
mountains, of starvation her streets filled, and
her priests surrounded by gaunt, begging, corpse
like figures. Allthe resources of her exhausted
government are net able 10 save multitudes
of her people from starvation, or the great mass
from misery. History, during the last three
hundred years sets the seal Of condemnation
upon Roman Catholic rule. Compare Italy and
Scotland four hundred years ago, and compare
them now contrast the country about Rome,
under the immediate control Of the Pope, with
that around Edinburgh n country redeemed from
barbariSm and made great by Professionals, while
Italy, once the boast of the world, has been re.
duced to nothing. Holland, though lOboring
under many disadvantages, has been elevated 10
an extraordinary position, considering her lin
tied territory. The difference is marked and
greatly in favor OF Protestant rule, when You
compare Protestant and Catholic German princi-
palitieS, Catholic and Protestant Swiss cantons;
Catholic and Protestant Irish counties. OnthS
side the Atlantic we find Lower Canada, Mcxi-
co, Peru and Brazil, buried in lethargio slumber,
while the neighbOring PrOtestants of the United
States, are progressing with amazing rapidity.
Roman Catholic rule was beneficial in the
Dark Ages, but politically il has served its time;
in this age, its effect is deOdoning, Then, all
the learning was centred in the priests, and Of
the lOty, not one man in five hundred could
even spell; therefore it was well that the people
submitted 10 the will OF the priests for the latter
were wiser than themselves less barbarous
more disposed TO encourage peace and brotherly
kindness. But, when knowledge became gene.
rally disseminated, and the distinction with re.
gard to wisdom and learning between the
priests and the people, had been obiterated, sucl
submission became servility, and to exact il wa,
tyranny. The Church saw that this genera
dissemination of knowledge was unravorable L
her political asoendency, and hence her influence
which had hitherto been usually favorable L
science, civilization and good government, wa,
reversed, and during the last three centuries
her efforts have been aimed TO stunt the growth
of the human mind. Every advance in freedom
knowledge and national wealth has been resisted
by her, where it was possible for resistance t
be efFectual. And now, after Protestants hav,
redeemed this country from wilderness inhab
tied only BY savages and wild beasts, and PLACED
it in the foremost ranks of nations possessin,
knowledge, liberty, wealth and power, thu
Church of Rome essays to stretch over us hel
icy hand, and bring upon us everlasting winter
and barren desolation.
What I! the Pope of Rome to be made supreme
ruler Of this country, when there are hundred
and thousands of men in our Union as wise ant
learned as he, Independently of their intimat,
acquaintance with peculiar political causes ant
effects among us?
The Church Of Rome tSrgsts that she is o
this age her dreams are of past grandeJS.
Surely the mass of the Catholics of this coun
try cannot n misled by the bab6ling absurdiiie