Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-28
A DIsGRACEFUL OUTRAGE IN MAINE.

The Rev. JOHN BApsT, Catholic clergyman of Bangor
Maine, who tarred and feathered at Ellsworth, in
that State in the night Of Saturday, the 14th instant
has, pleased to learn recovered from his injuries
From the accounts given Of this outrage by the Bangor
papers learn that Mr. BAPsT formerly pastor at
Ellsworth, and having visited the town the 14th in
stan was stopping at the house Of Mr. KENT which
surrounded and broken into about midnight by crowd
Of rowdies Mr. Bapst fed to the cellar but was dragged
out, stripped, and rode rail, during which cruel
treatment he robbed of his watch and wallet and
yled by epithes and all sorts of blasphemes He was
finally carried to shpyard about half mile distant
and there arred and eahered besides being otherwise
abused His prosecutors then left him alone to suffer
to find his way to Mr.. Kent's house These violent
proceedings exposed the unfortunate priest for than
two hours to cold rain storm, on dark night which
enabled the mob to eude the sheriff and his posse, who
went in pursuit OF them.
The immediate Of the outrage consisted in the
fact that Mr.. Bapst had been connected with contro-
versy respecting the right Of the authorities to enforce
the reading Of book in school the part Of scholars
whose parents objected to it, Being overruled by the
hortes he had brought the matter before the regularly
constituted tribunals where it is awaiting decision
The outrage is commented upon with much indignation
by all the newspapers. The Bangor Wing says truly
that such acts as this array themselves against the
laws Of the land and all the pledges Of civilized society
well against the securities Of Constitution and
the whole spirit and aim Of system of Government
The Bangor Journal says:
The indignation expressed by all classes of our citi-
zens is greater than we have known exist here for
long Time. IL surpasses Deiief almost, and makes us
shudder when such outrages pepetrated in our
State to think what may not be possible from the fury
Of the fanatcism Of the day.
lf in this country man is to suffer violence for his
religious opinions, where earth he be safe from
persecution? While demanding the right of free
worship for Proestants in Catholic countries are
set example here in direct conflict with our demands
abroad? BY just much faithless the prn
cpie Of religious liberation here by just much do We
diminish chances Of extending that principle through
out the world We do not cherish religious freedom fol-
the defence of Catholics of Protestans but for the de
of all creeds alike for the protection of the rght
Of conscience.
"In their regard for religious liberation the American
people, we believe, very generally united The ct
Of Maine will doubtless condemn this Ellsworth out
rage almost unanimously But the fact Of its occurrence
should admonish all good Of the danger of infamine
fanatica excitement They who heedessy, or for sell
FISH purposes scatter sfrebrands, arrows and death
around them frequently find themselves responsible fol
results which they meant to accomplish, and fol
which they themselves among the seyerest sufferers