The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-11-15
The catholic question.

ithss becomeun important pciiticutricment.
and has welded controlling influence in
the late elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Michigan. Indiana aud Illinois.
Atsuch time, it is appropriate to inquire
whether any danger will arise 70 our Politi-t
cal institutions from the toleratios OF the
Catholic religion in our midst! What is the
extent and power of the catholics in this
country! We will submit a few facts in re-
lation to this matter, d =
From the Royal (Va.) lions Advocate,
paper published under the control Of the
Baptist denomination, we learn that there
are in the United States, including the Dis
trict OF Columbia and the Territories, 1922
churches Of all denominations. The num-
Der of persons in Attendance upon these
churches, is estimated at 1887, ,447. Out
of this number of churches, only 1863 be-
long to the Roman catholics. The number
Of persons attending the catholic churches,
is 7O5, 1888. This leaves 34,952 Protestant
churches, and l3,26l,4 AGA as the number in
attendance upon the Protestant churches
The Baptist churches alone, outnumber the
catholics about seven fold; the Methodists
out number the catholics about nine fold;
the PresbJ out number them about
four fold; the Congregationalist exceed them
by about 400 churches, and the Episcopal
ians exceed them by about 200 churches.
Thus it will be seen, that only about one
hutieh Of the Churches in the United
States are Roman Catholic; and only about
one ttcenLieth Of those who attend church in
the United States belong to catholic con-
gregations. This is Protestant authority
snd may be relied on as correct.
Now in view Of the above facts, can
any candid man believe that there is danger
to our Institutions in toterating the Catholic
Religion! Is it probable or even possible
for the one Miuictk Of the churches in this
country to- overthrow the twenty-nine thir-
tieths! Or in other words, is it probable
or possible that ole church will destroy
twenty-nne churches!
Here the absurdity Of this anticQtholic
excitement is made apparent. 1t perse'
cuton against one class of our citizens witt
hardly q shadow of reason for 80 doing
| What have the catholics done to excite such
a vindictve feeling against them upon the
part Of the Native Americans! The Prot
estants few years since in Philadelphia
burned catholic churches and dcstroyedtheil
dwellings. Has any worse outrage thar
this been committed by the catholics! Both
parties have been to blame in many in tan
ces, but we are unable to learn that the cath
olics have been guilty OF more acts OF vic
lence than the Protestants. '' .'.
1t may be urged however, that this Know
Nothing movements is not on account of wha,
has been done, but to ward off future evils
This leads us to another inquiry. Is th(
Catholic religion increasing in this country
jaster than the Protestant? Here we wouIt
call attention to few facts. Our authority
is from the Church Reuieac. Maryland wa:
originally settled by Catholics. Until tht
year 1920, Florida was completely undeI
their control. In Louisiana, Arkansas
Missouri and all the territory west OF the
Mississippi, catholicism prevailed, ant
abundant opportunities were offered to estab
lish that church upon broad and deep foun
dations. But did they do it! What are tho
facts! In Maryland there are but 95 papa
churches, while there are 500 Protestant
OF 1852 in Florida, only 5 are catholic. o
27S in Louisiana, only IS are catholic; an'
of 1874 in Texas, only 10 are catholic
From these and many other evidences
which might be furnished, it can be seel
that Catholicism hasnot increased as rapidly
as the other churches of the country. W.
have reason to believe that it is on the wane
Again we ask what ground is there for per
secution! Even upon the supposition tha
the design of the Pope is to overthrow ou
government and establish a religious despot
ism, what present danger is there from hi
encroachmcnts! Is it not at least safe 70
us to wait until we have some demonstration
of hostility before we organize party t.
put down the Catholics.
We shall not attempt to defend the Cath
olic faith. With our present views we coul
not endorse the doctrines Of that church,
What we ask for them is only just what "
ask for the advocates of every other relig
ious creed known among men-the rights Q
onscience-protectio in the exercise Z
their rel gious convictions. 1t was religion
persecution that compelled 'ur fathers t
seek home in the wilderness where the
suffered so many hardships and dangers; All
religious federation is the most important e
ement in the government which they hav
framed. :"
This crusade now carried on against I'll
catholics is at war with the institution
established by them and in the end must
disastrous If successful it viii not sto
with the catholics. Its spirit is this, "EUel
, man must think as l do or be diJranchised
: It would e'er long array Protestant church'
against each other. The weakear churc
would be compelled to yield to the stronge