Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-08-05

eT, siunu ny my iettei, uuu iehtiHh
no, from the explosion of the great NOR
tar which it has taken this experienced
gunner so long period 10 charge, as IL
no intended that i, should not only kill
my little sparrow of a letter, but also
lha, it should frigh,en away allthe birds
of the neighborhood. l find my littlc
aycticmar in domicil,o not only chirp-
ing. bu, without single featheret Of its
wing rutiled.
This letter is already too long, and |
hopo | may be pardoncd i'll make few
general remarks bearing more. or. loss
directly on tho circumstances which di-
rccted it. The first remark is that in
this country, at least, no man is oppres-
sed in consequence of his religious be-
licfso long as he submits legally to the
constitution aud laws by which it isgoy-5
crned. And yet | regretsto say that
many of our citizens are hardly sails
fled with this equal aud common priyil-
ege, unless there oe furnished them from,
time to time. occasions on which they
may give vent to that lamentable intol-
eranco which Turks in human nature ey-
erywhere, no less than in human gov
ernmen,s in Europe, Asia, Africa aud
America. How tame would be tho
proceedings of such meetings as that for
purposes Of sympathy with tho Madiai.
or those of our anniversary week, were
it not for the vent which they furnish
for the denpnciation of Pope and Pope
ry. There is not and there ought not
to be oppositian to or complaint oftheso
proceedings. The Catholics of tho U.
States are accustomed to such. Many
respectable Protestants are rather Of
Tended by them. But on the whole,,his
is country Of free speech aud free
writings, nditis. better to bear withiho
abuse ofei,her than that any legislation
be employed toiprevent it. In the mean
time wo Of the clergy are obliged occa.
sionally TO travel abroad-sometimes
because we have not received a suitable
call a, home; and sopelimes because
feeble health, by. bronchitis especially.
compels US to seek the benefit offoreign
climates. Still wherever we go we must
never forge, the object of our vocation,
which is TO do good. And thus, forget
ting the difference between restraints ON
the outward development Of individual
in other countries. and the
unbounded freedom in this respect
which we enjoy at home, we are liable
in u mistaken zeal, but always with the
best intentions, to get into little difficult
ties with the police Of Foreign G;;;:ss OF
States. What will be the consequence,
it according to General Cass' project.
we shall have quoa right under the
high sanction of the Congress Of U.
Stats, to hang on the buttons Of our
Foreign Minister'S, ahdsfIull them right 4
and left into the little dogmatical squ6b-
bles in which we may have contrisedt to
go, ourselves involved. Should | go 70
might be disposed 10 ront
a room, announce that l intended to
celebrate mass therein on such or such
a day, inviting all who though. proper.
to be present. The room should b
honestly. loyalty paid for, Of Course
But if the municipal authorities of
should interfere with me, or
take me before the magistrates for this.
[ should proclaim myself an American
citizen and look TO our resident minis.
Ter for protection. Some clergymen Of
our many Protestant determinations
might be jus. as imprudens in the capi-
:al of any Catholic country in Europe
General Cass thinks it would be all right.
provided the local laws were not viola.
led, but there is the rub.
For my own part | think that as We
nayo no established religion at home,
which in our circumstances regard as
. grea. benefit, SO i, might be as we'll
with US to deal with other nations prul
1en,ly and molestly, jus, ns we find
hem, until little by little, Influenced by
our beautiful example, they shall be in-
irced,to initiate it. The Congress Of
he United States are TOO well qualified
% discharge the duties for which they :
were elected, 10 require the slightest
suggestion from any private citizen as to
The course they should pursue in regard
10 the matter which General Cass has
brought before them. He has suggest
I'D to his fellow Senators that iFpro.
nounced their course all wrong. This
vas mistake. lspoke Of him alone,
and Of no other member Of Congress.
II ] may be allowed to express an
opinion as an humble citizen, conscious
,f loyalty to the constitution, obedience
10 the laws. reSect for, and benevo-
sncs towards ali my fellow-ci,izens.
without distinction Of croed. to give ex.
preston TO my own sentiments, should
,um them up not as regards this spe-
;ial topic. bn. as regards the general
policy of the country in a very few
words. 1 would say that whilst the
power, almost pre-poteney ofthe UNI
ed Ststes Is admitted and acknowledge
ID whefsger | have trayelledin Europe,
here is still a prevalent idea abroad