Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-07-20
Rev. Mr.. Dalton On Know-N othingism.

Rev. Mr.. Dalton, of the First Baptist
church in this city, IN. his afternoon sermon
last Sunday, took occasion 20 speak of the
warfare now being waged against foreigners,
and especially againststhose of the Catholic
religion, under the auspices of a secret organ
izat0n denominated 'sknow-N othings," aided
by itinerant lecturers Or street preachers.
Mr.. ID. characterized the movement as most
illiberal, proscriptive, anti-Christian and anti
American, and as calculated to increase rather
than diminish the power and numbers Of that
persuasion; while it would bring Protestant
ism into certain and merited disrepute.
He said the movement appeared to be di-
rected not so much against the Catholic reli-
gion, as against the Catholics themselves
that it manifested itself, not in efforts to con-
vince them of their errOgs and induce them to
embrace the truth, by reason and argument,
but by prescription, by : Remuneration, by per
sonal violence, and by hlrning their churches.
Its weapons were not, those sanctioned by
Christ in the PRONUNCIATION and defence of his
gospel-they were carnal. The spirit of this
movement was inimical alike to republicanism,
to Christianity and to the Constitution of our
country. That instrument established no State
religion-favored no one sect to the exclusion
Of others-recognized none as the peculiar
Vicegerents of Heaven--but established per-
feet religious equaity-+threw It's protecting
.egis around all, and giving preference to none.
1t secured to the citizen perfect freedom to
worship God according 20 the dictates Of his
own conscience-the Catholic equally with
the Protestant
One of the gravest charges heretofore urged
by Professionalism against Catholicism, was
that the latter was proscriptive, domineering,
and resorted to persecution of other sects
wherever it had the power. But this charge
was in fair way to be reversed. If recent
movements were persisted in, Catholicism
might with truth retort this charge upon
Professionalism Howe forcibly would The
friends of papacy in Europe make it tell
against the cause Of : Professionalism there
With what effect would they point to the fact
that American Professionalism wages war Of
determination against Gatholics-denies them
the blessing of religious freedom-commits
violence on their persons-and burns their
churches! 1t would be used with great effect
against the spread of Professionalism in Europe !;
and its effect at home would be little less in
furious TO the cause For the denial Of the
great principle Of religious federation, estab-
lished by the American revolution; and the
scenes OF anarchy ana 0lOOdShed, 70 winch
the movement will, if persisted in, inevitably
give rise, would alarm sthe fears Of the coun-
try, confirm the impression which Catholicism
has all along been endeavoring to create, that
the Catholic religion was the conservative ell
ement Of state-that il would alone preserve
the stability and orderEof society, and prevent
its lapsing into social and civil anarchy The
contrast under these circumstances would give
color to the idea, and to Che charge that Prot
estantism is the parent Of anarchy in state.
The idea Of putting down the Catholic rell-
gion in this way was an absurdity. Persecu-
ton is just what the Leading minds OF that re-
ligion want. Persecution will gain them
proselytes; it will benefit them and place
them on the vantage groupd it will facilitate
their ambitious designs for power and sn-
premacy.