Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-29
The Roman system.


George H. Calvert, descendant Of Lord
Baltimore, in his work on Europe, published
in 1858, thus alludes to the distinctive features
# the Romish Church:
pOf all despotsm, the sacerdotal is the most
iesoating, both its end and means being che direct
+ubjection Of the mind. irresponsible priests arc
worse enemies of mankind than princes. Hating
ach other a. rival usurpers, with an unchristian
late they have from necessity mostly engued to-
gether to bemaster the intellect and sorl believ-
ng, that he who could possess himself OF the
minds Of men, would own the treasure Of treas
ures. But the selfish are ever sholtsighted. 1t
is seldom given to thieves to enjoy their theits.
When priests have robbed their brother of that
shich makes him poor indeed, the wealth that he
has lost enricheth not the robber; for, by deep
law of nature, which DEGREES the inviolibity Of
he human SOUL the moment the mind is Invaded
il ceases to be a treasure. The contagious breath
of the possessor bedms the splendor Of the jewel
Freedom gives the only light by which it sparklcs
In subsection, the mind pines and perishes On
itself must it be poised, out OF itself draw it's life,
within itself must be its supreme tribunal. Else
/ has no spring tor elevation, no selfrenewing vi
talty, SO sefrectifying force. 1t anguishcs, it
ickens, il dwindles. But not alone They who
IN the holy Of holies lay impious hands, the Gains
who kill their brothers souls, they dwindle with
it they become little with the lttleness they have
caused Look at SPAIN at Portugal, ut Italy, the
Jeople and their priests. What an intellectual
wilderness! What children are the people, what
vet and dry nurses their pastors
Rome being the centre Of Catholicism, in the
PIPER ranks Of the hierarchy there, an intellectual
.ctivity is maintained BY the conflict thence d.
ected against Professionalism in the freer countries
Il Christendom. No correspondent moral activity
i visible. On the contrary, being predominant
lbsolute irresponsible, living in isolated grandeur
Ugh above the people, the upper clergy IN Rome
] further than almost any class of incn in the
world out. of the circle Of selEsacrifce and broth
,rly love- Hence the prelates in Rome have ever
,een noted for rapacity, arrogance, ambition, SEN
.ualily; alternating these indulgeuces, on occa-
ion, as at the present moment with vindictiveness
md cruelty.
"what intellectual force Ii has, Catholicism
owes to Professionalism. By Professionalism do
rot here mean Calvanism, or Anglicsnism or Luz
herism, or any other sectarian isD but the imper-
shable spirit Of mental freedom which has in all
lges burst up through the crust of ecclesiastical
,sarpation--the perennial protest of the soul
.gainst spiritual authorty--the continuous asser.
ion Of the rights Of conscience. This spirit Is the
moral life OF humanity The Romish Church,
striving ever TO crush IL has found In this strife
permanent stimulant 10 intellectual exeition. In
he midst Of Protestant churches themselves this
,ame spirit, struggling ever for absolute liberty,
ises up from a deeper deep, protesting against
l,iesty dominion, however tempered Its cub
iimest manifestation was against Catholicism
trough the great Luther, under whose mighty
lows the Papacy staggered. In the throes OF It's
despair II gave birth TO JesuitisIn, which Is the
,ffspring OF the collision between light aud dark.
ress, and which gives evidence in its nature Of its
nonstrous parentage, exhibiting the cold glitter
shich intellectual light makes on ground Of
moral gloom. Jesuitism Is henceiorth tue indis'
pensable amor Of Popery.
"With the advancement ofculture, the clerical Is
overtopped by the literary and scientific classes.
A vivifying book rarely comes a-days from the
,lergy, Protestant or Catholic. Creeds not the
nurseries Of originality. Original minds on their
de are prone interrogate creeds with very little
reverenee; and heart vt dep sympathies solves
III theological questions in the fame Of its love
md justice.
"on the other hand, priests, while arrogating
to themselves a spiritual superiority, reflect the
moral condition Of the population around them.
Like man, like master. Thus the priests Of Mexico
light cocks, and the Cardinal Of Rome, and the
Anglican Bishop IN London, play whist. The sue
cessors Of Sc John and ST. Peter fighting cocks
md playing whist, whilst Chris,endom l. agasp for
want Of viyifying fithl In all things how effects
and causes interplay one upon the other