The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-04
4 Protestant Minister on Know.
N0thingiSm.

Nothingism.
We are glad to note the evidences Of q
liberal and republican feeling manifested
by the most enlightened and sincere Of The
Protestant ministry upon the subject Of re-
ligious toleration.
The Rev. Mr.. w. Dodge Of the Episco-
pal Church a, Paducah, Ky, has recently
delivered an address on the present and
prospective connection between the reli-
gious and political affairs Of the country.
From ii we make extracts as they are Civ.
en- in the Louisville Times.
ave have a free government, and we
profess to have confidence in our institu-
tions. If they are worth anything, they
can come from abroad. thought to be re-
membered just here. however. that as ior-
eigners come to this country to escape
from the unfortunate circumstances which
surround them in the Old World, and find
ing that here they have all that their hearts
can desire. they cannot be supposed to be
other than friends TO our Government
They will love the country that affords
them such blessings, and especially ii we
take pains to instruct them and their chill
dren in the nature and character of our
institutions. But if we turn upon them in
bitterness, and show to them that the hand
of our Government; is against them, their
hearts will never be welded to our soil
nor TO our laws. We must love them, and
have a tender care for their interests, il we
would teach them to love US. The foreign.
er must be made to see the beauty and to
feel the genial power of our institutions
I'before he can be mi ade 10 admire and love
them.
..And the same remark will apply tc
Protestaptism, as il stands opposed to the
Romanism Of this country. II, as free
men we have not confidence in our free
principles. and if. as Protestants, we have
not confidence in the doctrines which we
teach-if we don't believe that our free in
stitutions will approve themselves 10 the
minds and hearts of the foreigners who
may come among us. and if we do not be
lieve that there is truth enough in Protest
aDtism to overcome the errors and super
stitions Of the Roman Catholic religion.
then we had better abandon them at once
and give ourselves up 10 despotism. ane
10 the darkness OF Romish superstitions
i is simply absurd 10 sing the praises o
our institutions in one breath, and then, in
1.-The very next, to confess our distrust o
their power to redeem the world from po
liiical bondage. And 80, it is absurd tt
harp SO loudly and boastfnlly upon The
superior light, and glory, and power o
Protestantism. and. at the same time, con
tess that we do not believe it capable o
meeting Romanism upon equal TERMS
Our Republicanism and our Protestaniisn
are but little worth, if they have 10 be sus
tanned. and that even within the borders
of this great and powerful nation. by Sc
cret organizations, whether they be polit
ical OF. whether they be religious. Con
scious superiority seeks not to conquer it
antagonists by concealed weapons, and i
is because we have confidence in the su
periority Of our republican principles. ant
the most unbounded confidence in the su
periorits Of a sound and enlightened Pro
testaniism, that we this day lift our voic,
in opposition to tendency in the public
mind which we believe is calculated TO in
jure both. The bright and glistening SWORD
OF Truth is more powerful TO destroy thar
are all the dark and ill-shapep Implement
Of Error; and it is with this weapon vi
must fight, and that too, in the broad
clear light Of the open day. if We woult
have the victory on our side"