The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-19

commission of the same. For instance in our own
courts, convicted OF forgery are not allowed 10
carry on the trade in the State prison. think that
these reflections viii satisfy any candid mind that
the Madai are not condemned solely for the crime
possessing and reading their Bible And II they
are not condemned solely for this, II follows that the
proceedings NJ Metropolitan Hall are founded on ob-
yious falsehood. This circumstance, however, was
not thought worthy of consideration, and the truth
would have been rather detriment than an adyan-
tage to the purpose of the meeting. The impression
intended to be made by the speakers on that occa-
sion, was that the government of Tuscany, the
Jesuits the Pope and the members Of the Catholic
Church throughout the world, have mortal dread
of the Bible This would be strange indeed. To
them the book-the New Testament, at least-was
originally given in manuscript by its inspired
authors. They have been its witnesses and its
guardians from the beginning. 1t has been
recognized and used by them as, in SO far as it
goes, duplicate on parchment OF the doctrines
which our Saviour had inscribed with q pencil of
divine fire. in characters Of living faith the heart
of the church. The art of printing facilitated its
diffusion, and the church avaied herself with eager
Of the Holy Scriptures. Numerous editions of the
Bible were published in the principal languages OF
Europe under the patronage of popes, cardinals, and
bishops, long before Professionalism came into being
The Italians were well acquainted with the Bible, in
their own beautiful language, before Martin Luther
was borf The first Italian edition was published in
Venice in the year l47I and forty successive editions
published in the different cities Of Italy, an
was published, not in Italy, but in Geneva, in the
year 1862. In the very year of our American indie
pendence, the Archbishop of Florence brought out
another translation for which he received the special
Catholics have published not less than twenty or
twentyiv editions of the Holy Scriptures OF every
size, from the folio down to the octave, many OF
which arc stereotyped. Is it not surprising, then,
that Protestant neghbors will persist in suppos
ing that afraid of our original and here
ditary documents, that have never been out Of our
possession!
Connected with the case Of the Madiai a new
national policy has been preached in the Senate
of the United States by less distinguished
a Senator than General Cass. This policy,
with which the gentlemen at Metropolitan Hail
appeared to be very familiar, purports to be vim
dicaon of the rights of conscience to be secured to
all American citizens, in whatever countries they may
choose to travel or sojourn. The ground on which
this policy is advanced is that in this country stran
gers of every nation are allowed to exercise their
religion their conscience may dictate and there
fore in all other countries Americans have the right
to claim and exercise similar privilege 1t Is
hardly necessary for me to observe that freedom of
conscience, which is here contended for, is invola-
bic i'll its very nature and essence TO say that any
any nation has either physical or moral power
to destroy freedom OF conscience, is to give uterance
to patent absurdity. Conscience without freedom
is not conscience; but for this very reason the free
dom Of conscience is beyond the reach of man pow
er. God has provided in the human soul fortress
to which it can retreat and from which 1t can hurl
its defiance against all invaders. presume, there
fore, that there is confusion of ideas in the minds of
which requires go pleading, namely, freedom OF
conscience. That is universal-that is indestructi-
ble-that is inyioable They must be understood
to liberty Of external action according to
science, which is quite different thing. This ex-
terral liberty of action according to conscience,
in all countries is regulated TO certain extent by
the enactment of positive laws. In some countries
the range is wider in others more restricted; but it
is limited in all, not even excepting the United
States. The liberty of conscience which is recog-
niZed and applauded in Connecticut will not be to-
lerated ION certain subjects) in South Carolina
Alabama. The Mormons have been obliged to seek
liberty of conscience. And the liberty which they
there enjoy would not be allowed them under the to-
leration OF the laws of New York. Is it expected,
then, in the project Of General Cass that they, too
shall have the privilege Of exercising liberty Of con,
Again, the assumption Of General Cass is fallacy.
lie assumes that the freedom OF religion in this
country is boon conceded by Protestant liberality
to all the inhabitants Of the land This Is not So
1t is privilege which was won by the good swords
Of Catholics and Protestants nthe battles for national
Independence. 1t is a common right, therefore,
and is not to be regarded as concession from one
gard to liberty Of conscience suited the policy Of
the country and was absolutely indispensable after
the revolutionary war. Does General Cass mean to
say, that because it suited US, all other nations must
adopt it, whether it suits them or not? As well
might England say that because it suited her finan
ces to adopt free trade, she will insist upon it that
all other nations shall do the same. General Cas-
knows well as any man living that until this coun.
try becomes vastly stronger, and foreign
weaker than they are, all peadings on this subject
will be treated as dwelling by foreign States oh,
il you have mind to arrange the constitutions and
laws Of European States by the power Of armies and
navies, that indeed is another matter But the
United States will expose themselves to ridcule it
they drag in such question into their diplomatic
intercourse with foreign governments.
IT is a recognized principle in this country that
every sovereign and independent nation has the right
to adopt its own constitution and laws. The const-
tuition and laws of country but the aggregate Of
general principles applicable to the peculiar situa
tion protection and welfare Of the citizens sub
jects of which it is composed. They may be re-
garded as the public and permanent expression Of
the aggregate conscience ofthat State. Thus without
going out Of our county, Massachusetts has one
form Of public conscience, Louisiana has another.
Does Mr.. Cass mean to say that an aboltonist from
Boston, under the plea of liberty Of conscience, still
has the right to talk in New Orleans and preach,
and harangue, and write and publish on the subject
of slavery as he might choose to do in Faneuil Hall
If not, would say with all respect, that the policy
in regard to this subject which Gen. Cass advocates
in the Senate, is calculated to have practical CT
feet either at home or abroad except to stir up sec
tartan animosites against his Catholic fellow-citi
zens, and this is hardly worthy of his patriotic ser
vices, advanced age or accumulated honors.
1Hdeeu, AN Iultc pcTSuducu ulat tlt country uiS
lowered itself in dignity, il it be true, as the news
papers have stated, that the President through Sc
cretary Everett has become petitioner side by side
with Lord Roden, and taken his place ofcypectation
ard hope in the ante.chamber of the Grand Duke Of
Tuscany. The supreme government OF this country
ought not to stoop to an investigation however sa
cred may be the occasion, Of a police trial in the
petty States of Italy In doing 50, it exposes itself
to humiliation and rebuke without redress. The
Grand Duke can easily ask Mr.. Secretary Everett
certain questions about the liberty Of conscience in
this country which the latter would find himself
ccedingly puzzled to answer. If the Grand Duke or
IF ' ennarence 10 rec"gn;nei n tbe ,nted Sites ~
unlmited-thc same in one State as in another-the
Secretary will have to reply, mo. If the same
interrogation should ask Mr. Everett what became OF
the helpless female inmates Of certain convent in
Charestown, near Boston, who were driven out
without accusation, trial, condemnation before
any civil tribunal expelled from their peaceful home
in the depth of night their house and furniture com