The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-01

for the Office of Representative.
HORACE HOLLAND.
Religious Test-Catholic Disability.
The following extracts are taken from
an article published by the N. o. Chris
tian Advocate paper which sympathis-
es with the Know Nothings in their op-
position to foreigners. 1t contains some
truths well told.
II may be as well to state in this con-
nexion that the State Council of Know
Nothings at their late session in New
Orleans repudiatcd the Catholic test in
the order. The extracts are as follows:
The proceedings of the convention late
ly assembled in Philadelphia, whose plat
form is published in another column, were
watched by us with great interest. Ecclc-
siastical matters were early introduced
An attempt was made, principally by
Southern men, to throw them out. But
the "Catholic test" was affirmed. '.The
Roman Catholic Church" is named dis
tinctly. Resistance" to it is propounded
among the things credenda and the things
agenda. five read correctly, every Cath
olic is prescribed He may be an Amer
ican-native, good and patriotic; he may
stoutly and practically deny the power of
the Pope in civil matters as an inference
from the ecclesiastical. Yet for his reli-
gion's sake, he is barred advancement to
all political stations Legislative,
judicial or diplomatic" This is a test to
which our religious principles and repub-
lican instincts, the spirit of our institutions
and the liberty of conscience, as interpre-
ted by the age, are all opposed. No party
holding it, however goodbe other principles
held in combination, may expect to pass
before the conservative people of the
United States, especially of the South
1t cannot bulge step-it cannot stand,
with this milestone around its neck
There are thousands of the best men of
the old parties who sympathise in the
movement for an essential modification of
our naturalization laws, we see danger
in the immigration of felons and paupers,
and the power of unnaturalized persons
by voting in Territories, to shape the char
acter of States; but they will neither pur-
sue or accept it upon conditions impairing
religious liberty. If the two be disjoined,
they go for the former; and in their ranks
many of the naturalized. We are glad il
is so. We rejoice to believe this senti.
ment is imbedded in the heart of the coun.
try. Improves our civilization thorough.
). ly Protestant one.
Beyond the principle involved, there
are grave considerations of expediency.-
A misfortune has befallen the controversy
as between Catholics and Protestants
Our opponents have suddenly been put al
immense advantage.
}, A comparatively feeble sect has beer
elevated into undue Importance. Accord
ing to the representation of the census, ir
1850, the Roman Catholic Church has
but /, l,112 churches, which can accommo
date only $4,000 hearers! Not one
eleventh of the number of churches belong
i ing to the Methodists, scarcely more thar
, one-eighM of the number of the Baptists
E nor one. fourth the number of the Presby
S terians. 1t has not one atirty-third of thu
whole number reported, while Methodist
e have more than one-third and the Baptist
nearly one:foarth.
And this handful, party aspiring tt
I nationality proposes to resist!
h If the General of the Jesuits himsel
f had been in council he could not more ef
: fectually have devised plan to weaker
t the Protestant and aggrandize the Catho
7, lie cause.
v Should this platform succeed to gov
!, ernment, we shall be put back where Eng
s land was before the act of Catholic eman
|cipation. This is taking steps backwar
e backward of ourselves.
), 1t gives Catholics the tremendous ben
n eft of persecution. That cry will rail-
l. to any sect hosts of noble spirits, VIII
If otherwise would hold it in religious al
horrence.
S. Many who were hanging loosely by til
d skirts of Catholicism, and being gradual
le but surely disintegrated from its conimr
o nion, are fired with new zeal, and con
c. fpacted by the sense of oppression.
~ The weapons of this warfare are M
!. carnal. We acknowledge the kind intel
;, tions, but decline the alliance of polit
!, clans. 1t is burdensome. This contr,
:, versy belongs to us-Protestant Chri
: tians, Protestant churches, Protestal
! journals and societies, as such. We wal
no direct or indirect aid from Cover
ment in managing it, believing that if L
!, alone, with truth on onr side, we can brin
( it forth to victory.