Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16
TIT ITIIAIA AMElIGAI.
ROCKVILLE, INDIANA.
FRIDAY, pEcEMBER 1e, 1858.



Politics and Popery.
We are apprized that such cap
ton as we have placed at the head oil
this article places us on dangerous
ground, and causes sensitive and timid
spirits to tremble. But there are grave
interests involved which are coming on
for discussion and may as well be set
tied nolc as at any future tine.
The policy of the United States of
America has been to welcome the citi-
zens of every nation to our domain and
institutions. They have come by thou
sands and the cry is "still they come"
Many of them have made good citizens,
and it Is equally true that many Of them
have brought with them pauperism, in
temperance, lawlessness and insubordi-
nation. We have received the best and
worst, the cream and the dregs Of Eu-
rope.
A large portion Of this foreign popu-
lation is of Roman Catholic faith and
are under the commanding, almost abso-
lutte influence of priesthood, born on
foreign soil, who are under most solemn
oaths of allegiance to a foreign prince,
and who never or seldom become natu-
rallied.
/ A. o..., o, ,ha co,n nat;hiI;fv mr. In
compatibility Of Romanism and Repub-
! licanism is not our object. But We
wish to call attention to two significant
facts-l. The identity of the Catholic
vote. 2. The efforts made by politi-
clans to secure it. The first of the
propositions needs little Argument
( Other denominations are widely divided
some are with one party, others with
another. Not so in this case. They
90 together. In solid masses they stand
on the same side. They follow leaders,
and who they are need not be stated.
The I'd fact is equally obvious. Poll
ticians of both great parties lay their
plans specially to secure this influence
as during the late canvass for president.
This cannot be denied. Look at anoth-
er fact. They began few years ago
by denoun cling some the text books used
in common schools as teaching tenets
in contrariety to the doctrines OF the
infalible church, and particularly histor-
ic facts that they would have concealed
from the present generation-those un :
deniable facts that show the intolerance
of Romanism in every age and in every
country. Politicians said 40 certainly
they must be changed" and forthwith the
emasculating process was had, under the
dictation of men who do not profess al
legiance to this country. This done,
the demand next was, Eve must have
our children taught the true faith and
hence we demand our own schools,
and we demand that share ofthe school
funds, assessed not in proportion to our
property, but the number of our Children
shall be given us to sustain our denomi-
national schools" And political hacks
, were found ready to buy Catholic votes
at that price too. Every campaign is
opened with special reference to that
one influence.
Now we say mildly to politicians we
wish you to look honestly at some plain
truths on this subject.
And we say what we do with peri ect
knowledge Of the fact that many will
abuse us and our paper for saying it.
Yet as faithful public journalist we
will speak out, when we think we ought
to, regardless of the frowns of political
trucksters of any party, and we have
much mistaken the people, III they do not
demand, at this crisis, ju st such editors
men who !ove their country more than
party.
In the first place you are deceived as TO
the relative strength Of Romanism! The
policy OF Romansm is a careiu' anu
systematic erpansion OF numericai
strength. But what are the facts!-
Either Of the three denominations Me tn
odists, Presbyterians or BaPtists far out
number all that they can muster. and
their relative power on society is far
greater. We can give the figures on
this subject IL demanded.
In the next place the cause animal
veried upon is frought Nth danger. All
Join in the cry against the union OF &C.
clesiastical and political powers.
The hoary experience Of all the past
proclaims that II is justly to be feared
And yet in face Of this, you are bidding
for the votes Of denomination as such.
Has there been o candidate for the Pres
idency nominated for some years until
John Hughes, John Purcell or some
other prelate assured the party that he
was unexcertionable to the Roman
Catholics!
The end to which this is rapidly tend
ing is The forcing cfa Protestant party IN
10 existence. When the leading church.
es see their existence ignored, their In
auence disregarded, their views fouted
they may endure II long, but they will
finally act. The tendency to take the
matter into their own hands and redress
the repeated insults offered them, and
constant political homage paid to u
hierarchy whose organs In this country
have openly declared their desire 10 see
tbs land brought under the rule Of the
Italian Prince who, they cxultingly de-
clare will destroy freedom Of conscience,
Is stronger Ia an Politicians ever dream