Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-03-06
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1855.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CATHOLICISM.


SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1855.
KNOW -NOTHINGISM AND CATHOLICISM.
Without any very penetrating research or profound
philosophy person may discover that know'No'n
ngism rests upon the vicious principles and prac''e'
the very denominations with which the '"'''''''
Church is reproached by its enemies. ,.,
Itis truo both in logical and HISTORICAL So"' ~.
Professionalism was q revolt against the '"'' ., os
potism of tho Catholic hierarchy. i"o ,,
Rome at arst simple in its ritual pure ~ " ;,aaI,
spiritual in its aspirations in t''e ~, or.,,nt
with bsrbaric pomp Of ceremonial III" e.: ~ nr,,
cd by the worldly passion OF Polt'"' "'''o,'''" o
| ,norsncc the debasemert and the aisoruoi' VI "0
IadIe Are, favored tho prctens"ns Oh tue o""''"'
no man sought refuge under its wing from tho r"Ee
of anarchy and the oppression OF violence We
speak as Protestant when wo afhrn that Tue aohi-
MON of the Church of Rome in the dark ages II not
in ;ts.lf Legitimate and compatible with the spirit o
christianity, was political conrivance of immense
sdvan,are 70 mankind and to the of civilization
Wa max this Insertion on the authority OF the accurate
and dispnsssnate Ranke and are supported in the
po,tou by the facts Of history The spiritual sway of
Psuacy mtieated the terocity OF feudal tyranny and
put bride on the savage passions of uncultiVated
nau There WAS no justice but within the precincts
o :he sanctuary, no religion out OF tho confessional
no Learning beyond the shades Of the clolster The
hopes OF humanity were preserved from denge
moro destructive than that which swept away the
traces OF antediluvian existence and the church was
the ark in Which the seeds Of civilization wore saved
from the raging elements of universal vlelcnco and
darkness.
For this great service Humanity must thank the
Medieval Church. But tho Church issued from the
conflict with pride inflated, ambition stimulated and
with all immense accession of political power Men
recognized their obligation to the Church, and from
feeling of gratitude we'll superstitious dread,
of its power contributed still farther to It's aegran-
dzenent. The unclean spirit took possession oil the
| Church. debased its holy nature, aud perverted its
| high purpose. 1t became corrupt, in proportion as
became rich and prosecuting as got TO be power
full 1t arrogated absolute sovereignty over the mind
and conscience of men, and established the dread ma
chinery of the quisition to enforce conformity TO IFS
| creed and obedience TO s will. But tho conscience
and tho reason of men revolted against the despot-
ism of the Church, and Martin Luther raised cry
| for the LIBERTY OF PRIVATE JupGMESr. Ho assert
ed the Independence of the reason and conscience oi
the individual man, against the dlctaon OF conhri'
and the authority Of the Pope. And he conquered
The living principles Of Professionalism are perfect
freedom of conscience aud the sovereignty OF the IN
| dividuul reason. But the Catholic Church too WIS
cleansed OF many Of its impurities by tho spirit o
the Reformation, and its pride and It's power nave
melted before the progressive civilization OF the
age.
In every aspect Know othngism is appropriations
movement Affecting apprehension OF helrurch'ca
domination it assails church which propitiates pity
bv its very weakness and helpessness. Dr"lailnng
against on alliance of Church and State draSS religion
into tho arena of politics. and promotes the interests
party bvinhammaory appeals to tho pious pre"dlces
/ Of Protestants Denouucins the "inSldious po''c!
and spiritual desposm of the P"Pacy' u "","'.'
erpedents of craft and mposture from which jesuit
would revolt, dnd enorces submissive obedience 10
its will with the cruel intolerance OF an luqus't"r'
Professionalism s, in ts origin and essential dea re-
volt against any external domination over the reason
and conscience OF the individual man. Yet, Know
Nothingisn prctends to the interests OF Pro-
testanism by organization which usurrs absolute
sway over tho mind and cXacts the most rigid Con
! formy to the supreme will Of the Order! No strong
er contrast exist than between the liberal spirit Of
genuine christianity, which elevstes and ennobes the
individual with Of infinite responsibility md
a consciousness Of absolute control his destiny,
and the stern despotism Of an organization, which
strips its vosrcs OF their manhood, denies TO them
tho prerogative Of free thought aud free speech and
binds them to passive obedience to the mandates Of
a superior Powor.
Wa do not misconceive the nature Of Know. Moth
ingism Is essential idea is the subiecton of the in
,lividusl 10 the will of the Order. Before initiation
he binds himself by oath, IN all htmgs, Ioit'cn and
social to comply mHh the tcW Of tie Orde" After ini.
ation he is the abjec slave Of the Order, aud can
not escape from his bondage without tho consen. OF
tho Order This ID the letter Of its constitution: tie
Grand CouncR shall hare poger 10 d"e'de upon all
matters Gppsrtatetng 10 NATIONAL POLITICS. mus
the individual member barters away his independent
Judgment, and in all matters appctatning to national
politics binds himself to submit to the dictaon Of the
Grand Council. IL the Grand Council say the Ne
braska bill is I'm iniquiiy, he can no moro dis
sent from their decision, than good Catholic
can now dispute the immaculate conception
of tho Virgin The Catholic takes his re-
lgious faith from Popss and Councils; the KnowNo-
thing receives hs political creed from Council too
not council OF mon distinguished for piety and
iearnns but an irresponsible cOncave of demagogues
without personal character or public reputation.
Illus Is KNOW -Nothingsm obnoxious to the very
charge OF which it accuses Catholicism. Its indct.
ment against the Papacy rocites its own crimes
against humanity. The Church of Rome was mover
moro int"ler"n;, the Council Of the Inquisiton never
more proscrptive than this pcridious friend of Pro
,estantism' this troucerou. champion of religious Ii.
berty.