The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-01-19
Roman Catholic Intrigues in 1852.

We have seen in several of our exchanges,
says the Philadelphia Sun, a statement, very
properly styled startling" which appeared in
the Fredonia Y. Y. Advertiser some three weeks
since:
The Rochester American says that though it
has been widely republished, and the attention
of those interested in controverting its charges,
distinctly challenged, yet there is not one word
of denial, defence, explanation. The allega-
tons contained therein must be taken as confess
sed. They come from a responsible and respec-
table source. They met with studied silence
No friends of Gen. Pierce or Gen. Scott have
ventured to question their authenticity; therefore
calculated to make a profound public impression
they speak for themselves, and account for
much that has been suspected, believed, but
never before so explicitly revealed.
The Fredonia Advertiser states that at the
ElIicotvile s.American'' celebration or the pod
uIt, Col X. H Shankland, Of the Otsego
Examiner, and formerly Of the Cattaraugus Re
publican, an ardent Democratic supporter of the
Pierce and King ticket in 1852, made some start
ling statements to the bargains made respec-
lively and successively between Bishop Hughes
on the one side and General Scott and Gen.
Pierce on the other. Colonel Shankland, in re-
marking upon the influence of the Roman Catho-
lie priesthood exerted in our former elections said
it was now well understood that Gen Scott a
short time after his nomination, had an interview
with Bishop Hughes, at which the Bishop asked
what the General would do for the Roman Catho
lies, in their voters should be secured to him
The General requested four days for consdera-
ton.
The Bishop would not consent; he demanded
an instant reply, and insisted upon it. despite all
entreaty. The General then promised seat in
the Cabinet This was enough-the agreement
must be in writing OF course this was reluc-
family yielded to. The knowledge of the trans
action was intended to be kept secret among the
faithful 1t was, however, suffered to give SC
much courage and confidence TO certain Wings
ofthe Astor House, that some suspicious Of the
arrangements We're aroused in the minds of the
Tammany Hall leaders. By getting some of these
Whig partizans in melLotc state the bargain
''wormed OUT Thereupon delegation was
immedlatly sent to Gen. Pierce, who authorized
his friends to secure population of the Scott
contract and the formation of another in his own
favor, by making the generous offer to the Roman
Catholic Alliance of Cabinet post, a foreign
mission and the next best office in the Presidents
gift
This course overset Gen. Scott and elected
Gen. Pierce who redeemed his pledge by making
Mr.. Campbell his Postmaster General Mr.. Soule
his Minister 10 Spain, and Mr.. O'Conner L. s
Attorney for the Southern District of New York
all these three being of Roman Catholic faith
and one of them at least of foreign birth. To
show still farther the truth of this statement il
is only necessary TO add that after the resignation
of Mr.. O'Connor, in pursuance of his sympathies
and cooperation in the controversy of Collector
/. Bronson with Secretary Guthrie-a controversy
provoked by the Administration against the Ada
mantine party-President Pierce was compelled
TO appoint another Roman Catholic in his place
namely, John Mckeon. also an Adamantine
should take the place of an Adamantine, whc
went out Of the office because he was an 4 daman
tine. These charges are now distinctly made
and It remains for the Pierce and Scott organ.
fault.