The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28
CATHOLIC CHURCH PROPERTY QUESTION

The speech of Mr. Babcock, of Erie, Senator
for that district in the New York Legislature,
against the bill providing for the Incorporation
of Catholic Churches, under the statute now
existing in that State, has been forwarded to
us linked at the telling passages for our atten-
ton. We have read the whole argument of
the Senator through and find it just the sort
of thing to be expected in the circumstance
a loose, irrelevant incoherent, and inconclu-
sive melange, with nothing in it that bears
upon the issue, except such things as, rightly
directed, refute and oyerturn the conclusions of
the speaker. The speech indicates the COM
mitments of its author 1t is great deal bet
ter done, indeed, than its matter deserves, and
likely to take well with those for whom zeal in
Il good cause serves instead of the reason, JUS
tice, and prudence, which best promote it. Our
main purpose in meddling with the controversy
will be effected, if we can induce the readers
of the Era to divest themselves of all mischiev-
Gus prejudices, and come directly and fairly to
tho examination of the questions pending and
about to be opened, for settlement between alb
solutsm and liberty in this country. Neither
zeal for the scots whose felt strength is in the
free principles which distinguish their poty,
repugnance to u church whose system refuses
freedom nor even devotion to the truth and the
right for their own sake, but right apprehen-
s!ons and an honest love Of truth will answer
in the exigency that is upon US. 1t will not do
to refuse common legal rights and powers to
Catholic Churches, because the people of that
communion choose TO make or accept the bsh-
ops as their trustees for the management of
their temporalities nor will it do to drive their
children from the common schools by insisting
upon the Bible for school book because it is
the Bible and ours ia the better version Of it.
We must keep our own sectarianism carefully
out of the quarrel, or we will be wofully de-
ieated, and mainly because we will be as I'M
worthy as incapable to maintain the right.
The Catholic laity are not 30 numerous a. has
been supposed; they are not 40 blind or slavish
as we commonly imagine nor are their priests
nearly 30 absolute in fact as it suits our agita-
tors to allege. They are men, they are among
us the most of them have as good reasons foI
hating Professionalism as we have for our de-
testation Of Popery; and our duty and policy
alike direct US TO remove every cause Of offenc
that either justice or charity suggests. Tn
Catholics of Ireland have been under tho Eng
lish Protestant system that is enough to max
them jealous, il not hostile to our heresy, Will
the bitter memories remain. II is as coward
to fear thom az it is cruel and foolish to con
troll them by any superiority Of force we hap
pen to possess. Professionalism is as safe agains
Catholicism to-day, as it was at the epoch O
the reformaton--as safe ~ Christianity VIII
against Paganism in the days Of the Apostles
il it is as sound as il was then. Let us trus
the truth, and behave ourselves as il we die
An anti-Catholic party is sure to keep alive,
not to create, Catholic party--a Christian
people will dsarm antagonism. The contrc
versy with John Breckenridge made Archbist
| op Hughes what he is today. We have ha
enough Of that. The Popish champion wa
defeated, routed, and overwhelmed in that Dc
bate-of course! What else could happen, il
a free and full discussion But what hav
been the results OH We have had quit
enough Of that.
What does IL avail 10 tell them that thei
faith is superstition They can live and di
by it in great assurance What does it ava
] to tell them that they are slsvsss II the