Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-02
Frem the Richmond Enquirer.


100000. Truly, as Major James Garland remarked,
it would reverse the narrative of the Bible tor 1t
would be nothing less than Jonah Swallowing the
sohals! 1t is difficult .to this subject in any
other light than that of levty and ridicu!e But
since the alarming Catholic influence, and the 0eer-
scheJnlinq temporal power of the Pope OF Rome,
have been made prominent issues In the present con-
test, we deem it our duty to retute the aosuro anu
groundless idea by few facts from the records OF
past and present History. We shall f1rSt quote at
length declaration of the English Catholics in 1852
utterly refuting the Know Nothing theory on the
subject of the temporal power and influence Oh the
Pope. When we see Catholics, under the monarch
ical institutions oEngland proclalnng that they are
entirely free from temporal allegiance TO the rope,
is it not absurd witness the hypocritical alarm &C.
pressed on this point by Know-Nothlngs IN our own
country where religion is free and where Truth is
left to combat Error? The following we extract from
Reefs Encyclopedia under the head of ''Papists":
The Declaration and P1otestGtiOn Signed 6y me
English Catholics an 1888.
We whose names reShereunto subscribed, Catholics
of England do freely, voluntarily, and OF our own
accord make the following solemn Declaration ana
Protestation
Whereas sentiments unfavorabe to as, as citizens
and subjects have been entertained by English Pro-
testants on account Of principles which are asserted
to he maintained by us and other Catholics. and
which principles are dangerous to society," ana To-
tally repugnant to political and civil iberty-iti is
duty that ace the English Catholics, to our coun-
try as we'll to ourselves, to protest, IN formal
and solemn manner, against doctrines that q1e con-
denim, and that constitute no part Whatever OF our
principles, religion, or belief.
We are the more anxious to free ourselves from
such imputations, because divers Protestants, VINO
profess themselves to be real friends to liberty OF
conscience have nevertheless, avowed themselves
hostile to u.s. on of certain opinions which IRE
are supposed to hold And we do not blame those
Professionals for their hostility if it proceeds (as we
hope it does) from ntolerant spirit IN n trS
of religion, but from their being mlS!nformed as 10
matters of fact.
IF it we're true that ace the English Catholics, had
adopted the mcXms that arc enormously imputed to
u.s. we acknowledge that should merit the rcproach
OF. being dangerous enemies to the state; but, we
detest those unchristan-like and execrabe maxins;
and ace seyerally claim. in common with men of all
other religions, matter OF natural justice, that
We the English Catholics ought not to suffer for 70 on
account of any wicked erroneous doctrines that
may be held by any other Catholics which doctrines
we publicly disclaim, any more than British Prot
estants ought to be rendered responsible for any
dangerous doctrines that may be held by any other
Professionals which doctrines they the British Prot
estants, disavow.
First, we have been accused Of holding, as prin-
ciple of our religion, that princes accommodated
by the Pope and council, or by authority of the
See of Rome, may be depoSed or murdered by their
subjects, other persons.
But, so far is the above mentioned unchristlan-
like and abominable position from being principle
that we hold that reject, abhor, and detest it,
and every part thereof, execrable and impious:
and do solemnly declare, that neither the Pope,
either with or without general council, nor any
preate, any assembly of prelates or priests, nor
any ecclesiastical power whatever, can absolve the
subjects of this realm, any of them, from their
allegiance to his majesty King George the Third,
who is, by authority of parliament the lawful king
of this realm and of all the domnions thereunto be-
longing.
Second We have also been accused of holding, as
principle of religion, that implicit obedience
is due from to the orders and DEGREES of Popcs
and general councils and that therefore if the Pope
or any general council should for the good of the
chr ms to ia Ike
ernment, or by any means to subvert the laws and
liberties of this country kor to exerminate persons
of different persuasion from u.s. Gt is asserted
by accuserS) hold ourselves bound to obey such
orders DEGREES, pain of eternal fire:
Whereas, zoe positively deny that owe any such
obedience to the Pope and general council, or to
either of them and believe that act that is in
itself immoral dishonest can ever be justified by
under color that it is done either for the good of
the church, in obedience to any ecclesiastical pow
whatever We acknowledge no Instability in
the Pope; and neither apprehend nor believe that
disobedence to any such orders or DEGREES
(should any such be given or made could subject US
to any punishment whatever. And zee hold and in
sst that the Catholic church has power that can,
directly or indirectly, prejudice the rights of Pro-
testants, nasinuch it is strictly confined to the
refusing to them participation in her sacraments
and other religious privileges of her communion,
which no church las we conceive) can be expected
to give to those out of her pale, and which per-
son out OF her pale, will, we suppose, ever require.
And zoe do solemnly declare that no church, nor
any prelate any priest, any assembly of pre-
lates or priests any ecclesiastical power what
ever, hath, have, ought to have any jurisdiction
or authority whatsoever within this realm that can
directly indirectly, affect interfere with the in
dependence, sovereignty laws, constitution, or gov
eminent thereof; the rights liberties, persons or
properties of the people Of the said realm OF any
of them, save only and except by the authority of
parliament; and that any such assumption of pow
would be an usurpation.
Third, We have likewise been accused of holding,
as principle of religion, that the Pope, by vir
tue OF his spiritual power dispense with the OBJ
legations OF any compact or oath taken or entered
into by Catholic; that therefore oath of alleg
ance or other oath, bind us and consequently
that zoe can give security for our allegiance to
any government.
There can be no doubt but that this conclusion
would be just, if the original proposition upon
which it is founded true but IRE positively de-
ny that zoe do hold any such principle And sce do
solemnly declare, that neither the pope nor any pre-
or priests any ecclesiastical power whatever can
ahsolve us, or any of us, FROM dispense WITH the
obligations of any compact or oath whatsoever
F0Urth, We have also been accused of holding as
principle OF our religion, that not only the pope
but even Catholic priest, has the power to pardon
the sins of Catholics at his will and pleasure and
therefore, that Catholic can possibly give any Sc
curity for his allegiance to any government, mas
much as the pope, or priest, pardon perjury,
rebellion, and high treason.
We acknowledge, also, the business of this concu-
sion, II the proposition upon which it is founded
were not totally false. But do solemny declare,
that on the contrary, believe that no sin what
ever can be forgiven at the will of any pope, or of