True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-15
'- q For the True American.
AMERICANIsM VS.. CATHOLICISM.

| contlnually assalled with the cnarges ol
prescription and intolerance. The men,
bers have been reviled as liars, thieves, and
midnight assassins and in fine, there is no
crime recorded in the Decalogue but what
(if VIC are to believe defeated aspirants fol
membershipin the Order, and broken down
ale-house politicians,) they have individu.
ally or collectively been guilty Of, and all
resulting from the immoral and unconsti
tutional tendencies of the organization.
Now, sir, I do not propose here to entei
into refutation of these charges; it is
sufficient alone to say, that "by their fruits
shall ye know them;" and, that wherever
that party has had power, order has come
out Of chaos-light out of darkness. But
there is one objection, urged by many goot
and honest men, that do propose to ex
anime That is, that it is a secret organi
zation for political purposes. This objeo
tion is, however, most frequently and per
tinaciously urged by men who have, time
and again, met in secret conclave with the
leaders Of one or the other of the old par
ties, and there, before ever the will of the
people had been indicated, have adopted
platforms, created new issues and ignored
old ones, nominated candidates, and laid
downa course of policy, the effects of which
would be felt for years. And then, the
people are called upon in flaming hand-bills
"to rally, to assemble in mass or delegate
convention, and speak in thunder tones Of
their wrongs" and when they de SO Assem-.
BILE, each man bowed down with the i'm.
mense responsibility resting upon himself,
individually, and almost bursting with pat
riotism, what does he do? He rati6es, he
endorses, and he nominates, that which has
been ratified, endorsed and nominated weeks
before, by the party leaders, in some coun-
ty Office, by the light Of the county's can,
dies This is true, not only as to our local
affairs, but the same system has been prac.
ticed in controlling every branch of our
government, National State and Municipal.
1t is true, that because the old political
leaders do so, does not make it right; but
the objection, when coming from them,
comes with bad grace. But still, if it is
prudent and right in them to keep secret
for the purpose Of effecting Legitimate
end, it is prudent and right in "True
American" to be cautious how be commu
nicates with the natural enemies of Repub.
licanism. That.it is polite and right tC
keep their operations secret, will be illus
trated by the three following self-evident
propositions. First: The best means the
defenders of Sebastopol have to repel thu
attacks Of the Allies, is to have full
knowledge Of the strength and resources o
the beseigers; the time when, and thu
place where, the assault is to be made
Almost any sacrifice will be made fol
such information, and no punishment il
considered too severe for the traitor whC
communicates it. Second: No man will
ordinary prudence would make known tt
his neighbors and associates his prospects
his resources, and his difficulties, unless
some great inducement is held out, although
no obligations of secrecy are resting upor
him. Third: The same degree of pru
dence that would govern man in his pri
vate relations, ought to be observed in hi,
political relations; and more especially
when some great and glorious object is tt
be accomplished.
The obligation of secrecy that members
of the American party assume, does moi
impose upon the obligors any duties moi
consistent with the purest code of moral!
and Of human rights; and as secrecy il
one Of the great levers of success, it is moi
only polite but it is right. This objection
being answered, let us see what enemies
we are contending against; and for The
purposes of contrast with the principle.
Of the American party, and a starting point
allow me to give you a few quotations from
the Theology of the Catholic Church
issued in 1888, and now in use. Thes,
extracts are taken from the National Era
one of the ablest papers in the country
and deadly hostile to the American move
ment; -4...e r..
"Baptized infdels, such as heretics ant
apostates usually are, also baptized schis
matics, may be compelled, even by Corpo
real punishments, to return to the Catholi
faith and the unity Of the church"
'The rights ofother in6dcls, viz pagan
and heretics, in themselves considered,
are not to be tolerated; because they are s.
bad, that no truth or advantage for tn
good of the church can be thence derived.
Except, however, unless greater evil
would follow, or greater benefits be hin
dered." .t.
And finally; care heretics right,