Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-01-25


you create dangerous party in the Common
wealth. Inequality of political condition can on
ly lie maintained in republic where there rs me
quality of mind talents, and attainment. Allow
to any class IN. this country the rights Of cduca
ton, the attainment Of wealth, the right OF so
cial equality Of suffrage and It viii not be long
lsorc that class will demand the boon that tree
men seek, and denial will be unsafe.
1t is mean, it is cowardly, as well as false. for
any man, or set Ct men to assert that, III cOulbi-
nin2 to exclude all Catholics from Office, they do
more than the right not to vote for in-
disiduais, which is as clear as the right to vote
Tor them.
Sir, if the opposition seen and felt abroad, and
head here, / this haIi, means anything more
than miserable, beggarly appeal TO low prejudi-
ces, with view of holding office, it that
Catholics ought te be excluded from all Office :
and if they are, because they Catholics. heii-
gible TO place, then those who assert ii bound
TO change the Constitution openly violate its
provisions. VIII that be done? VIII they have
courage TO do it. They must do it, to be conss-
tent. They must foreLear TO be honest-a much
more difficult efioTt.
VIII that be done, and the question Of the CON
stitutional rights settled or shall the Catholic
Christian hear himself insulted, as he has been
more than once here, with the offensive Tmputa-
ton which i have endeavored to refutel Shall
the heart of the American Catholics he wounded
with stale runlors-Iumors revived for party ac-
tion-uncredited tales to their dishonor, or hy-
pothctical charges Of concealed treason, which.
while it ventures upon specification, disturbs
the public mind, aSyakens slumbering preiudices,
sharpens religious aRiIncsities, and gives occasion
for the mean, the ignorant, aud the vulgar anbi-
tious to rise into power. by the combination OF
their own class with those who, failing in other
combinations hide their disgrace. and avenge their
former degeat ey such associations as make mi
norities dangerous to the republic
Mr.. Chairman, one more word and will close.
have fairly and fully net the accusations made
by the honorable gentleman from Massachusetts,,
against the church of which | a member
Step after step heretreated, until he had planted
himself on tie BishoJ Of Rome and there ie cl.al-
lenged the citation OF II ngle disavowal oll the
part of the Pontiff that he claimed temporal
power over the subjects Of other governments -
Step by step have followed Linn, and concluded
the array OF disavovals by presentation to this
committee Of an explicit denial on tie part Of
the Pope that any such authority or right was
c.ailmel by the church or 10y him.
Mr. Chairman, 10 the warnings expressed here,
and the nervous apprehensions expressed abroad,
that the prevalence Of the Cath, Ec religion VIII
be dangerous to the country, have only 10 say,
that we Of this country are in no danger from
Gatholicity, Episcopacy, Calvinisn, LutLeTanisin,
or other forms Of Christianity. Sir. Christianity
in any form is better than IHidelity and Athe-
ism. And Atheism is now at work, as il ever
Has Deen DuSN- against Iile tsHfiStlai laltD anu
Cristiau prohibitions. 1t assails the Roman Cath
olic first, because that ereea Is more extensive,
and without considering the evil which each is do
ing TO rrligiGn. Christian are yielo.idg then-
selves nIconscioiisly, co-wOrkers with infdelify
by their active hostility 10 each ether.
Mr.. Chairman, If this country is 20 fan by any
other means than ordinary decay or local eonvul-
sions, it is not- riztaritv, not the Crstianity ef
Geneva, Rome, Scotland, or England that win
produce the ruin. Tie mischief will bswrought
by infi,ety. Sapping first Il e confidence of the
people IN each otl eT undermining the foundatio
of Christian charity, breaking the bonds Of social
life relaxing the ties Of moral olligations setting
ereeds in hostile attitudes, till there is nothing
left for hostility. And bringing down the whole
scheme of domestic, social. and Political life to
the plans and eaasof socialists and atheists, WHO
laugh at sle<eSistenee of God, and seek their
triumps IN the obiiteration of the doctrines and
teachings of Christ
Mr.. Chairman have forhorue today ali retail
atory imputatioiis all irritating parisons, and
confined myself to a refutation OF charges made
against men of the Roman Catholic creed.
have not sought this contest but, for the sake Of
honor. of truth, Of myself and my co-regioIsists.
for the sake of the institutions ana the C,nstita
ton Of my country, / could not decline it.
have evaded no point, nnr attempted to darken
counsel. have met the charge fairly. candidly
and truthfnlly. / have dealt in no street ruinors
have confaetin no idle gossip. | have addu-
eed testimony not of my own knowledge or
from those who arc authorized 70 speak to the
question at ISSUE and with reference thereto with
my hand upon my heart, and my eye on Heaven.
| cal this House. and q speak with reverence)
[ call my God 10 witness the truth ofal the asscr-
tions made from my own convictions and knowl-
edge, and my entire confaence in the credlblty
of all the testimony which have adduced from
Others.