Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1853-03-31
The Late Catholic Movement
In Michigan.

correspondence OF Ihe ~. y. Tribune.
CLINTON, Saturday, March l2, 1859.
Thinking that brief account OF the
recent Catholic Movement in Michi-
gan nigh, interest several oi your read
ers, cit down 10 give you n statement
oi some OF the leading particulars.
In the course Of last fall n petition to
the Legislature Of Michigan, praying
for a change in our Publ &c School
System, was put into circulation among
the Catholics OF the State, in circum-
stances which maniles,ly indicated n
design TO keep the existence OF such a
petition profound secret from the
friends Of Public Education. The petit
tion was couched in very general terms,
so Us to secure as large subscription
as possible, in order TO exhibit to oil.
ticians, who could be so influenced, the
Catholic fore, Of the State as great as
possible. In this way the names cf
some not Catholics, a, among others
that Of s.Proiessor in the University
were obt lined to I.
In due time, and next in order, came
an Address 10 the Catholics oil Michigan
published in The New York Feemen's
Journal. This address very plainly
manl!esls that the Catholic preslho' d,
and those who support them, are oppos-
ed to Public Schools, as SUCH and not
merely, as is sometimes said, to their
existing form and organization that
all Catholics are called upon to keep
their children away from them, and to
DO what they can to destroy them and
further, tha, all members ofthe Legisla-
ture, and other public men whs do not
assist IN the movement against these
Schools, are to be visited with political
annihilation, or to have their names
wiped from the political history Of the
State, by the votes and influence OF the
Catholics. All copies OF this addsess
were SO carefully kept from the non
Catholic public that II was difficult To
obtain one even in places, as Detroit,
where quite goodly number Of copies
OF The Freemen's Journal are taken.
This is one OF the circumstances which
shows the intended secresy ofrhe move
ment. The plan obviously was 10 pour
in petitions upon the Legislature in
great numbers, accompanied by all Act
already prepared, in order, il possible,
to have the mischief done before the
public mind could be aroused or remon-
stances sent in.
So successful were the Belgian
Bishop and his coadju,crs in keeping
their movements secret, that it was rot
until a week or two before the meeting
OF the Legislature, IN January, that the
facts of the case could be asccrtained
80 us TO be laiI before the public.
Among other facts which then came 10
light was this, that for several weeks
the pulpits OF the tour Catholic churches
in Detroit had been devoted 10 violent
and impassioned denunciations Of the
Free School system and OF all who
support it, and to calling upon The mem
bers ol the Catholic communion, under
oil lie pains and penalIes Of the Holy
Church." 10 keep their children away
from the Public Schools, 10 make war
upon them, and destroy them. Some OF
the more prominent of the friends Of
Free Schools, it was ascertained, had
been denounced by name, that the full
tide OF sectarian bitterness and hatred
might be directed against them.
After the meeting oil the Legislature
there might be seen at Lancing a spec
tacle OF some novelty and signlticance-
Catholic Bishop and bevy Of foreign
priests haunting the lobbies Of the halls
oflhe Legislature, playing the agreeable
to members, and bringing their whole
influence to bear against our system OF
Public education. Although these priests
were assisted by "a distinguished
prela,e from a Ecighbering State," and
were not wanting a, all in boldness and
a dispcs ition 10 dictate and Overawc
ye, the result was just what might
have beea expected Of an American
Legislature, not wholly devoid otmanli-
ness and patriotic regard to The interests
OF the country. Only two or three mem
bers from the City OF Detroit Catholics
or seeking Catholic patronage, and as
many more miserable patty hacks from
other parts oil the State, could be
inAu enced in any way-and all modes
of influence were put into requisition -
to counteIance the scheme ol the priest
ly aliens.
In the City Of Detroit is system Of
Free Schools under the control OF
officers elected by the voters in the
City. The Bishops and Priests having
been bailled in their attempts before tie
Legislature to injure and destroy the
School System throughout the whoh
STATE, now turned their attention TO get
ting control Of the Public Schools oil
the City. The Charter Election Tor
City Officers, happens on the first Mon
day 10 March. A strong effort was