Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-08-01

The clause, which cannot be refuted. We in
Eoke for it the careful reading of Professionals Of
Every denomination. Let :hem heed its earnest
Earnings as they would preserve the Conslitu.
Eon or our Government from overthrow, and
Professionalism itself from pollution:
+. From the n O. Christian Advocate.
RELIGIOUS TESTS CATHOLIC DISABILITY.
| The sphere of our discussions is moral, religi
Jus and ecclesiastical Beyond this we do not pur
Jose to extend our remarks upon Eighth Artl'
He of the 'American Platform" While pre-,
Eentne our readers with a summary of events
|aaking'up the current history of the day, ane
thich it behoores them to know, we have steadl
: recognized an implied covenant toward them
lot to medds with their politics; to cast not ;
Ieather's weight on either side Of questions divl
inc them as citizens of the State. If on oul
art this covenant has not been faithfully kept
his we can say with a good conscience, We
ave tried to keep it, and are ignorant of any
pfrac,ion. And we shall keep it to the end.
No n,awkish sensitiyeness, however, sllal
revent US from speaking out on subject ever
18th political complexion, falling within ou
phere.
The proceedings of the convention lately as
bmbed ut Philadelphia, whose platform is pub
shed in another column, were watched by us
ith great interest Ecclesiastical matters were
.rly introduced. An attempt was made, prlncl
Lly by Southern men, to throw them out
nt the " Catholic test" was affirmed, and final,
re-affirmad. .sThe Roman Catholic Church
Si toDono IN IL q
bundled among the things credenda and the
ings agenda If we read correctly, every
E,tholic is prescribed. He,may be an Ameri.
n-nalve, good and patriotic; he may stoutly
I'D practically deny the power Of the Pope in
sl matters as an inference from the ecclesiasti.
]. Yet, for his religions sake, he is barred
advancement to all political stations-execu
he, Legislative, judicial or diplomatic" This is
Ecss 10 which our religious principles and re-
blica,a instincts, the spirit Of our institutions
ID Ahe liberty of conscience. as interpreted by The
e are all opposed No parlyholding ii hoUerer
celleu be olher principles held in combination,
ay erpect to pass before the conservative people
the United STATES, especially Of The South II
,anot Gudge slept cannot stand, 'o'th MlS
EHSloae about its neck..
Therc arc thousands of the best men of the
parties who sympatbise in the movement
an essential modification of our naturalization
Us, who see danger in the mmigEaala2pa ial2 parfed ST ISL
Fsons 6y voting in Territories, TO shape the
arac,er of States; but they neither will pursue
accept it upon conditions impairing religious
srty.. If the TWO be disjoined, they 60 for the
tner: and in their ranks many of the naturall-
Former party attachments would be sacrl-
ID to this end, but religious liberty nerer. We
r!ad it is so. We rejoice 10 beliere His senti-
bit is iubeddei in the heart Of the country IL
hes our Civilization thoroughly Protestant
No one suspects us of Popish qfinities. The
. brruptirg tendencies Of the Roman Catholic
urch we take every occasion to expose and
|nteract. The Pope is u king as well as .
est having his soldiers and his jails. His
dinals are ministers of state, war. of finance.
organization has ever shown u tendency
political interference, and presented Difficult
in the application of religious toleraIion.
the difficulty has been solved, and this is
solution:
The maintenance of the right Of every man
he full unrestraincd and peaceful: enjoyment
lis own religious opinions and jealous re-
ance of all attempts by any sect, denomina-
or church to obtain an ascendency over any
er in the State, by means of any special privi-
IS or exemption, by any political combination
s members"
m open Bible. public schools and free press
good defences against Catholics and Protes-
5 for all men love ascendency, though all de-
inalions have not equal instincts for it. If
iethodist erer so far forget their high calling
aodnder auay from their foundation as to
gue for special privileges, or form their
Ebcrs into political combinations, ace hope they
encounter "a jealous resistance" SO Of
other scct, denomination Or church. If in
ecclesiastical character they stand about
ballot box at the call of the highest bidder
him that bids, and apply to the sect so
tituting its influence a moral and ioca'
.dy.
eretofore the religious element of the order
doubtful; in some places acknowledged, in
8 repudaled. Up to this authoritive decla-
of the convention the case did not address
to US. Had the religious feature been
,ut Of the platform we should now have
ing to say. There are principles set forth
challenging respect and assent, and doing
to those boldly avowing them-as, the
ration Of national and American spirit, the
Of compromise, reverential obedience 10
Avs, the Bible in common schools, and the
uivocal ground taken upon the constitution.
hts and institutions of the South.
|yond the principle involved, there are grave
derntions of expediency. Amisfortune has
len the controversy ms between Catholics
|Drotestants Our opponents, kaue suddenly
pal at immense advantage. -,
Fe sympathies ola powerful. party ure una
bly witlrlkem. Public speakers and jour-
are become their apologsts and eulogists.
ious COMPARISONS are drawn between Catho-
und Protestants, in disparagement Of the
and by those who have hitherto thought
cted otherwise.
comparatively feeble sect has been elevated
Undue Importance. According to the repre-
ton of the census, in 1850, the Roman
bic Church has but l,l12 churches, which
: ccommodato only 62l,o00 hearers! Not
ereuh Of the number Of churches belonging
Methodists; scarcely more than orpe-eighth
number of the Baptists, not one fourth the
{er of the Presbyterlans. 1t has not one
,b;,l Of the whole number reported, while
odists have more than one-third, and the
sts nearly o'seJourlh. - =
this handful party aspiring to nationali-
pposcs to resist,
he General Of .Jesuits himself had been in
il he could not more eiicctual|y have devi-
weaken the Protestants and aggrandlzr
atholc cause.
buld this platform succeed TO the govern
we shall be put back where England W WAS
the net of Catholic emancipation [his
nc steps backwards-back of ourselves