True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-15


bounded prerogatiyes belong to the spirit
uality.of the church as suchH Is the
Kingdom of Christ of this worldp Has
il not been abundantly proved that the
Papal See is not only a spiritual supre-
macy but temporal asurpation aiming at
worldwide dominion? Do not the edicts
of Popes, the DEGREES of Councils, the con-
fessions Of catholic authorities, and the
lessons Of history, all attest that every man
who acknowledges the King of Rome to-
be the Vicar of God, owes to him double
allegianceS The aim Of Papal power has
ever been not less temporal dominion
than ecclesiastical sovereignty, 1t claims
to be the diposer and dispenser of the
kingdoms and commonwealths of the earth
NJ Wise himself says, foreigners, in'the
name of the Pope and Mother Church, took
possession Of North America, to have and
to hold the same to their heirs, and against
the heather fuera.' Again he aays, His
Holiness the Pope was the grent gramtOr of
all the new country Of North America
Our national title to this country he ba-
ses on these papal grants. But these
grants are all based on the condition that
the country granted is ruled under Popish
supremacy. a territorial grant never is
sued from the Vatican on any other terms.
Hence the national title to the United
States reverts to the Papal See, and I ask
Mr.. Wise if it has ever resigned its claim.
Thus the Pope, with Mr., Wise for his at
torney, makes out a valid claim to this
whole country. 1t will certainly require
Mr.. Wise some time to prove, by argu-
ments like these, that Papacy does not
usurp 'TENHoRAL POWER
| Mr.. Wise quotes the exposition of poll
tical liberty given by the Archbishop to
King John. This case is as fatal to his
argument as the last. The King, in an.
swer to the exactions of the Pope, says to
the Roman Legate:
$50 tell the Pope, that'no Italian priest
Shall tithe or toll in our dominions
Though all the kings of Christendom,
Are led so grossly by this meddling priest.
Dreading the curse that money may buy out
And by the merit of vile gold, dust, dross,
Purchase corrupted pardon Of man,
Who, in that sale, sells pardon from himself
Yet, alone, alone do we oppose [foes'
Against the Pope, and count his friends my
In the true spirit of Papal assumption
the Legate answered: t., ,-
"Thcu, by the lawful power that h ave,
Thou shalt stand cursed, and excommunicate
And blessed shall he be that doth revolt
From his allegiance to an hereto;
Canonized, and worshipped as saint,
That takes away, by any secret course.
Thy hateful life."
This is no fiction Of poetry. The bull
Of deposition issued by Innocent III
against this same King John was nearly
in these words. Thus all history, even Mr.
Wise's own selections, prove that the Cath
olic creed is policy not less than a reli
gion. How does Mr.. Wise dispose of this
difficulty? How does he disprove this
dangerous temporal influence? Here is
his profound argument. lie says, Sup
p,se ii to be so, there areworse sects among
as, whom the Kno'O Mothings pretend no
TO asSda There are the Mormon polyga
mists; there are the spiritual rappers
and there is sect which aspires not only
to destroy free government, but the grea
) globe and all that inhabit 1.-THE millenia
NIillerites" Is this the logic of states
l manship? Desperate must be that cast
which drives even the ingenuity of Mr.
4 Wise to such pitiful resorts. No, Mr.. Wise
you cannot thus cover your retreat by bat
: wit and assumed indifference. This grea
D issue of the whole question, whether ,
g Catholic owes an allegiance that politically
units him for Offices of trust or power, 70,
g have not dared to meet and discuss. TIL
r facts adduced to prove that such is tn
D case are the truths Of History. Meet this
the real issue Of the case, or acknowledge
: like an outspoken Virginian, its impregnu
9 bility. Leave false issues. On reli giou
II liberty, you write eloquently, but it touch
6 es not this question. On gospel subject
= your unctiOn is undeniable, but this is
% political argument. We withhold our sui
g frages from Catholics because of their NJ
d iticdl theories. Is this prescription
! persecution In 1910, when you wcr
- plotting in secret caucuscs with Whie
g and denying your votes to Democrats, wei
8 you prosecuting them? In 1854 whe
a you were plotting with Democrats againr
er your old allies, the Wings, is it intole
he ance' in you that impels you to SO wol
n to keep them out of Office? And how u
ne terly insignificant are the party issues