The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02
HoII.EY. OrioEtr. 1854

10 tic Editog 81 ibe Aatioad Era:
In the Era of The 18th instant; and under the
head OF = Fights ct Na.Hcoijsod Cdizens-Ksoc
-Nofhings. is a long and strong article against
this organization. Because of It's secret POI
litical actors: , Because It's members are all
bound by the viii of the majority and ?. Be
cause no necessity exists for such y movement.
and therefore the conclusion *, that ii is pro
scri ptive persecuiive. and unjust.
Now, this conclusion is true ar false lust in
exact parallel as the following position of the
Era article Is true or false And here it is:
The most authoritative exposition we have
seen. given ia the series II resolves adopted
unanimously al the imposing meeting of Know
No;hings and Native Americans. held in this
city on the 9th uit. Here follow the resolu-
lions, and then continue the remarks of the
writer, thus: As we understand it, their first
resolution virtually pruscribcs the whole body of
our Catholic fellow citizens. for all are to be eX-
ciuded from office who hold themselves under
any allegiance schdts"eceT, 10 any iore gn prince.
potentate, Potre,, oy 0Hfh0rit4
The Catholic Church, with It's visible head at
Rome, Is a foreign power or authority. Ii claims
initiblty In all matters OF religious faith, aud
requires spiritual allegiance from nil It's mem
bers-in other words obedience to its authority
IN spiritual affairs American Catholics, gen
erailv. Weld such ob-dieuce, while they deny
that the Church claims their aliegiance in civil
affairs. and assert that, We're such a claim made
the would rerudr,te H. Is this true? Let this
simple East he established IN the conviction of
the American mind and Know Nothingism and
Nativism - at an end. for this is She chief cor
ner-stone of the whole fabric. Nobody is So
bag a hnow Nothing as to oppose, politically
any man or set of nen for their religious belci I,
though many might think il quite objectionable
for any foreign power to claim and receive
the spiritual allegiance. even. of aH the mem
bers ei any set OF sect of proteNscd religionists
in this country. but To proceed:
Now. should the Church of Rome SET n,
sach a pretenSion. practically, as some Of IL,
Jesuit papers In this country have seemed {,
put forth Ia It's behalf. of a right to the alleei
.nee of lis members in civil affairs. it would h
not only the right but the duty of this coGntr
to exclude from anv Office OF trust, profit or ia
flgence-aye, from the rights of citizen
ship-eyerv person recognising such preteu
sion, holding himself bound by such aegi
ance; and if any man among US acknowledg
civil and political allegiance to the Cathoi
Church. H. is not an American citizen, and tn
law should deprive him of the rights, should h
bear the name.
Tins As bold and s;rong-sirong enough Her
1t is. Now. let uS know the truth of the matter
Does any man, amy Catholic, or the body O
Catholics, IN this country. acknowledge civil an
political allegiance to the Catholic Church, an
act upon that acknowledgement If any, no,
far, and how much? Here is the grand ques
ton, Mr.. Editor. Every schoolboy knows tn
history of Romaaism ia Rome. in Europe. il
every country where ii has successfully lante,
its iron heel for II IL indeiibly written IN letter
of blood Is this country 10 be EXEMPT fro,,
the crushing weight of It's power? Poperv, il
every other country, combines civil and religion
power. and, without this temporal and spiritua
power, IL would be bat hall Popery. at least. fo
II requires both these elements 10 make IL iu
grown. All history, through a long line of age,
establishes this position beyond "a doubt. Wi
this country be exempt? That is the question
Can we rely upon the convictions of our ow
senses-upon the press. especially the religious
upon the loud alarm sounded By the heralds Z
the cross, especially that sounded from the Ms
sissippi valley: :. Beware of the temporal an
spiritual thraldum of Romansm This alarr
long ago was deepseatcd and radical IN tn
great American heart--long before hno'
Nothing was Matched from his shell; and a
that was needed was an opportunity TO develo
IL, and this is that opportunity. When we sc
our magnificent school system tottering, tror
the influence of the Romish power demagogue
and politicians seeking the Roman vote, an
obtaining it-struck off to the highest bidder
what are we to believe? Are we to believe tina
the beast has changed or is likely TO change hi
and pursue exactly opposite policy from tina
pursued in all other countries and times?
/ say, settle the question that the Cathoh