Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-09-29

Letter From Bishop McGilI.

lrIom the EH4ulTht.
Letter From Bishop McGin.
. Messrs, Edi'ors.-After my explanato
ry letter, published in the columns Of tn
. Enquirer, and though communicated a
the same time, and BY the same messenge
I to The National American, given in tina
0 paper three days after, thing ma,
: leave all who take any interest in the mat
ter. to form their ownconclusion as to tn,
Justice of the accusation made against m,
in he National American and the Rich
mond Wing. have declared that di,
not allow myself TO form the judgment
nor, consequently. announce to others tina
considered The sin Of Know. Nothingisn
the cause Of the scourge which afflicted
Norfolk aud Portsmouth. but, that If al.
lo,ved TO Judge, would select that as the
sin Of Our day. most likely to bring down
the anger Of heaven. In other words
that am aware of no sin more Likely &c
provoke Heaven, than "secJet oath-bonnd
conspiracy against the Church of God. -
The editors of the National American and
OF the Richmond Wing, will not admit
my statement but without authority
and without evidence, continue TO
reiterate their accusation. Had any 9TH
er respectable citizen, similarly accused
given an explanation, it would BY gem
ifiamnnlv and eorteous editors, have
been received with welcome, and Judged
upon its merits; but, being a Cathoiit Bish-
OPP, am not TO expect or receive any such
just consideration. 1t is not SO much
what SAID, but my religion and my cler-
zeal profession, which constitute "tht head
and front of my offending
am told Of trembling "Kings and En-
perors," Of "the lpquisition" and its hor-
hors. Of defending RIGHTEOUSNESS. theft
and falsehood," Of "kilIing heIeties, !"
bringing the heads of all Protestants to
the block, OF "purgatory," and thou
sand other delightful reasons why must
have really delivered the discourse which
these editors chose to denouncc. Had
intended or said the thing which they
charged, should not have denied it: but
all their indignation is gratuitous as their
informer you'd tell them if he were diSpo-
sed TO do me Justice. -
When l read the two columns ard a
half defamation, with which the editor
ofthe National American was pleased 10
accompany the publication Of my letter,
felt that. like the renowned hero OF Ger
vantes, had encountered uind-miN-
Nv ords words words, '.like orient
pearls at random strung catter through
to the end, in the real uor CT praierea nj
hill style. He plunges about pretty much
after the manner Of fish with hook in
him. aud, after various fourishes, ends by
turning up his scaty side to the gaze of the
| public. He seems surprised sat the for
bearance Of an insulted people" number
ing majority Of five-sixths, who. in his
opinion. ought to be as ungenerous aud
unjust as himself, forgetting that he had
gra:utously heaped insult upon Catholics,
by accusing them Of "worshipping images
instead Of God" Of quitting faith in the
priess instead of the Saviour and being
.tisfed with ''mummery and superstition.
My opinion, thai ga secret and oath bound
conspiracy against the Church of God is
sin, causes him to invoke the indignation
of those whom he can Influence; but he
may indulge his bumor In calling me and
other Catholics id0Id;ors aud r0idries Of
superstition TO his hearts content and
think that it is mere exercise of Ameri-
can freedom. The generous and liberal
editor, in reading history has not yet dis
covered that sdnguis mariyrum semen Chris
tiaaorum, and hence wishes to have re,
pommelled into the belief that Know
No,hingism is virtue.
But while congratulating him upon his
kind intentions towards me, | entertain
no apprehensions ofhis finding others to
sympathise with him. have never been
inclined to offer insult to persons Of any
creed or party, but have felt it my right
to discuss, examine, and judge doctrines
and principles, and when this and similar
rights are taken from me by mqjoriiies, my
American citizenship will be but worth
less name. 5+-.g7##4. s
The editor, much to his own credit and
to the edificatlon of his readers, says: $50
jaf as intellectual ability is concerned. we
must confess. we appear as David appear
ed before the giant Gollah-without Da.
yid's ail.conqnering faith; and without
alas! even David's simple sling" We have
seen little David's in similar predicament
before. without faith, and without sling,
but most commonly well supplied with
slang. For want Of sling d oes the edi.
tor intend to Stay me with the weapon
used By Sampson'
The worthy editor imagines himself in
particular Zine OF discussion, and dis
claims all notion Of being plunged lin a
sea of theological controversies" as il de-
sired him to do any thing but correct his
false allegations agans. me. know OF
no cline of discussion" such as he mag
ines. He made a false accusation which l
denied, and which, without reason, he
reiterates, because Of his horror of 'the
ii QUESTION, sympathy for "here;ics kill
led" in times gone by, as he charges, and
various other reasons which do not con
cern me or the question in hand. new
er had any thing, and trust never viii
have any thing to do. either with the in.
inquis,ion or killing heretics, IN spite OF
the charitable declarations of the editors
Of the National American and the Rich.
mond Wing. !.
These editors are par mobile .frairum, and
have been educated in the same school,
1t will be difficult for one Of them TO claim
honor over the other in their treatment O
this matter. Perhaps the editor Of the
Wing may be considered the less excusa.
Bile by those who knew them both. am
under Obligations for the editorial remarks