The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-15
DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THE EVILS OF
CATHOLICISM

WALNUT HILLS, March 3, 1855.
To tie Editor Of the National Era:
have always read each number of the Era
as it was issued, from beginning to end, on
account of its plain, strong, noble stand for the
rights of man. l hardly thought my interest
in the paper could be increased; but it has
been greatly SO, by your open, enlightened,
and firm stand against the secresy, exclusive
ness, and prescription, of a new party that has
lately started up all over the land.
l say, "the secresy," &C., because it is not
against anything good in the party, or any good
it may be instrumental of accomplishing, [ I'M
derstand you to war, but against those bad
characteristics, which, if not exposed and re-
nounced, must render any association, II uni
versally prevalent, curse to the country.
You, | may fairly suppose, from your whole
editorial career-to say nothing OF my intimate
personal acquaintance with you = have no
sympathy with Rome, or the ignorant null
titude whom she may use as her tools, in
warning against liberty in church and state !;
neither can you have any interest in defending
those demagogues who would crafty use Rome
and her rabble for their own selfish aggrandize-
ment. Nothing but an enlightened, far-seeing
patriotism, which overlooks its own interests,
bravely breasts popular tide, and is willing to
risk even the GOODNESS Of friends, can account
for your course. Hence it has much increased
my interest in the Era and my confidence in
its editor.
/ say these things now, because you may
need encouragement, and even mine may not
be useless though you know too much of men
to expect exact coincidence of views on every
subject that may come up in this stirring age.
If | have correctly interpreted your course, l
must believe that you underrate the evils OF
Popery and of foreign influence in our country.
The former, have long been convinced, is
"Satan's masterpiece a perfect. embodiment
of spiritual despotism, and therefore filter only
to be the basis for temporal despotism, and, in
its whole nature and spirit, utterly and forever
at war-sometmes openly, sometimes secretly,
as cunning may dictate against popular rights
and free institutions. AS it regards foreign
influence, need, if greatly mistake not,
wiser legislation something which would So
cure thisinfluence against the seductions of
While, then, condemn, as strongly as you,
all secret, proscriptive movements, do rejoice
that Providence has overruled these move
ments to the production of widespread, pop
ular awakening to the evils of Popery and its
allies. / trust that our country will never fall
asleep upon these subjects; and that the pres
ent excitement WILL on the whole, greatly and
benefit the Anti-Savery cause.
That must subside; but this must go on and
finally prevail, or are ruined as nation.
But God, / trust, did not lead us into this will
derness to STAY rs. A politics animated and
by Bible Christianity opens to US
a bright prospect of our country's future; and
such, doubt not, is, in the main, Anti-Slavery
politics. l heartily approve of the piece in
your number of 22d February, from Amasa
Walker. Your friend, B. P. AYDELoTT.