The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-07-28


Immediately upon Gen. Pierce's nomination,
they denounced him as a bigoted Protestant,
who, if elected, would use bis power 10 prevent
Catholics from having their just rights. A re-
strcton in the Constitution of New Hampshire
against this sect of people, was charged on him
as high political offence. Certificates from
Catholics in his own neighborbood, declaring
that he was hostile to them flooded the country
and the sanctity of the Post office was violated
for the purpose of circulating these documents
along with the religious papers read by persons
ofthat faith. On the other hand Gen. Scott
was held up as man for whom Catholics, a
bove all others, ought 10 vote. If he was not
a member of that church himself, it was urged
that his family were, and bis daughter had,
with his consent, gone into a convent. Never
before was so bold and shameless an effort made
to rouse religious preudices for political purpo-
seS. Sensible men of all parties, sectS and
classes, were deeply offended at this unblushing
system of endeavoring to carry an election by
sectarian appeals.
Still more humiliatng than this, if possible,
was the flattery bestowed upon their adopted
fellow citizens. From the aged and distinguish
ed soldier no was their candidate for President,
down TO the mos; obscure and Inefficient OF their
speakers and writers. all proltssed a becoming
zeal fer the rights of foreigners. According to
their statements made then, all persons of for
eign birth had been or were about TO be greatly
misused by the Drmocracy-and they were
urged, eXhorted and warned to trust nobody
bot their true friends, the Wings Even the
dialect spoken by foreigners was referred 10 as
being superior to the vernacular language
which the native born citizen used. The ''rch
Irish brogue" was music 70 their ears, and the
:'sweet German accent" was the subject of eX-
travant eulogy."
These facts, fellow citizens, are fresh in your
recollection. But would you believe it, that the
same politicians who were preaching this Sectar
ian crusade against the Democracy, less than
two years ago, and who did all that in them lay,
to excite the jealousy of adopted citizens against
native born Americans, have recently espouSed
the doctrine of prescription against all citizens
not native born of whatever religious faith, and
are said to be an close alliance with a secret
and cath bound association which proposes to
punish men for conscience sake. in Phlladel-
phia the newly elected Mayor has boldly decIar-
ed this doctrine of prescription. That this is a
mere political manGuvre on the part Of the Wing
leaders may be confidently affirmed That it is
a hparlesS attempt to make political use Of re-
gious preudicrs, in which they themselves DO
not participate, no one can doubt. Ascertalned
facts, past and present, make it perfectly appar-
ent, that these same politicians, if they could
secure votes by it, would again fatter the Cath
olcs and be the champions of the rights OF our
adopted fellow citizens.
1t may be asked, how shall the Democracy
meet the issues thus presented We answer,
tE, II, ofb foic and
ant-republican doctrines OF the enemts of pop
uar rights, by the power of truth, by the force
of reason and argument appealing TO the con-
science of the people. This mingling of rell-
gious and political elements cannot be appro-
we'd or-e endorsed by free and liberal people in
this age and in this country. They who think
so, must be credulous and short sighted indeed.
In 1852, the Democracy asked no more than
equal Justice for Protestants, and now when the
Wings have changed their ground, we will de-
mand but common and constitutional right for
adopted citizens Of whatever religious beel
they may happen to be. This has ever been
the creed of the Democratic party, as it has
ever been the policy OF this government. They
recognize no peculiar rights IN any sect or class,
but have only sought to maintain the Just rights
of all, and to beStow distinction and honor as
the reward of Individual merit The coEStitu-
ton and the law-the great principles ofequaIl-
ty which the people oil this country, native born
and those Of foreign birth, fought and bled for
freedom of conscience, which no American
christian would take from bis fellow man--juS-
tice to all and special hvors to noDe--thiS is
the platform Of the Democracy. From this
high elevation, let US look down calmly upon
the important struggle ofthose who come in con-
fiict with these principles. Ours is the cause Of
our country, of liberty and true religion, which
can only flourish in its purity where all are per-
mitted TO worship as they think right.
We are fully persuaded that the people Of
this State are true and will remain true to the
principles Of civil and religious liberty, which
were established by the revolution. Their whole
history from the first settlement of this province
down to the vote at the last Presidential cleo
ton, is calculated TO inspire every rejecting
man with confidence in their good sense and pa
triotism. How much and why the principles
of universal liberation are and ought TO be vau-
ed, need not be enforced by argument on this
point The history oflhe world for two CEN
turies is replete With incidents demonstrating
The wisdom of this doctrine.
Religious federation may be looked upon as
| the fruitful parent of the infant colonleS-and
| the rights of conscience and Of worshiping God
according to its dictates, may be considered the
stone of Our republican institutions. The Puri-
/ tans and Catholics Of ofEngland and the Hugenots
of France fed from the prosecutions Of religious
intolerance at home, to the wIlds Of this West
ern world, in order that they might enjoy that
| liberty here which was denied them in the land
of their birth. This land has been the land a.
bove all others Of religious and political tolria-
| tion-a liberation of all sects and creeds so
much in harmony with our republican, institu-