Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-21
Gen. cass and Bishop Hughes.

Seu. Sass N,iO btshOp ffuSnes'
The long promised reply of Archbishop Hughes
to the speech delivered by Gen. Cass in the Uni.
ted States Senate OH the oh Of May, on the sub
ject of the religious rights of American citizens re-
siding or travelling abroad, appeared week or
two ago. The Archbishop is man Of acknowl-
edged ability but his letter. seems to us is not
calculated to add to his reputation, at least as
fair and candid reasoner. With the exception of
some pretty good personal hits at his opponent, it
is mere bubble about words.
In many foreign countries where church estat-
llshments exist, dissenters, Of whatever creed or
nation, are not permitted to assemble for worship
in churches or chapels or even 10 bury their dead
Americans, whom business has called into such
countries, having been subjected TO distressing an
noyances, it is proposed by Gen. Cass that we
shall ask the respective Governments TO confer up
on our citizens within their dominons the right cf
free worship and of sepnlture. His purpose is
"not merely 10 protect Catholic in a Protestant
country, Protestant ina Catholic country, Jew
in Christian country, but an American in all
countries" This is all plain enough. Religious
liberty is accorded to people of every faith and
cline in the United States, and there is nothing
oficious or improper in our respectfully asking for
eign Governments TO extend the same privilege to
Americans who may be on their soil. If the re-
quest be refused, there is an end Of the matter
and Americans can only keep away. But Arch
bishop Hughes is vastly amused at Gen Cass
nomenclature. -Four religious denominations, he
says, are mentioned: ''Calholic, Protestant, Jew
and Christian" and an American ranked ''as a
representative Of a fifth sect.' Then follows an
argument to prove that, while the conscience is
by its very essence inviolable. Governments may
restrain its outward manifestations hen the acts
to which it prompts are judgeu to be contrary to
the public welfare.
The Archbishop failed to notice specifically one
case cited by Gen. Cass, which. as illustration
of the evils sought to be corrected is sufficient
refutation of all his renements about the invlola-
bility of the rights of conscience. A citizen of
the United States visited the island of Cuba for
the sake of his wie's health. The lady died
there, beseeching her husband to have her remains
brought homo for interment. and not left in the
place where alone foreigners not Roman Catho-
lies can be buried in that part ofthe island. This
place is described as perfect Golgotha, "a feted
mass OF corruption, inclosed by brick walls, and
raised by accumulated deposits to height Of
twelve or fifteen feet above the ground, and there
human remains in state of dissolution strew the
surface, bleaching. decaying, decomposing. not
less offensive to the senses, than to the moral fee
| ings." To bury elsewhere, even in private
ground, is punishable with a fine Of $4,000, be-
cause the Church thus loses certain fees. TO OBJ
tain permission to send the dead body from the is
land would have cost from 81 800 to $1,000; but
! the American consul doubted whether impedi
ments would not be thrown in the way, with a
view to further extortions, which would Ultimate
! ~ defeat the object To send the remains away
without permission would have exposed the par
ties to fine cf S 800, and to five years imprs-
onment, and the vessel to forfeiture. The hus-
band, however, concealed the body Of his wife in
the country until he found Captain willing to
receive it on board his vessel, aud then. eluding
the port guards during the night it was borne off.
The Rev. Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore, a distin
guished minister of the Baptist Church, has re-
piled to the Archbishop's last letter, through the
Baltimore American DR.. +. wrote the memorial
of the 'Maryland Baptist Union Association y
which was the first movement with reference to re
ligious liberty in other countries. Gen. Cass de-
clines making any reply.