Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-08-22
TBE RAFTsMAN's JOURNAL.

PIERCE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.-The fol-
lowing letter from the Hon. KESN ETH RATNER,
to Mr.. ELLIS, the former editor of the Wash
ipgton Dygun, establishes the fact, beyond con-
troyersy. that the Roman Catholic Church, in
terfered in the political contest of 1852, and
that President Pierce was allied with its dig
nitaries, who, though living in foreign coun-
try, were Informed of James Campbel's APP
pointment to place in the Cabinet, in advance
of The representatives of our own country:
RALEIGH, n. c., July 49, 1855.
Mn Dear Sir II have received yours of the
10th inst, in which you refer to the denial by
the Union newspaper, of the truth of the state
ment first spoken by me in my speech at
Washington, and afterward by you in your or
alton on the 4th) of Hon. Daniel NJ. Barringer,
our late Minister to Spain. Mr.. Barrlnger first
mentioned this matter to me last winter, In
Raleigh. | have since taken occasion to allude
to it several times in delivering popular ad-
dresses. About four weeks since, on my re-
turn from Philadelphia, l met Mr.. Barringer
in Baltimore, and in the course of converse
tion with him, l mentioned the fact that had
taken occasion to speak publicly of what he
had said to me about the Pope's Nuncio, at
| Madrid, having stated to him before he (Mr.
Barringer) had heard, and before the news of
the same had reached Madrid, of the formation
| of Pierce's Cabinet, that he (the Pope's Nun
| cioI could tell him one man that wOud be in
| the Cabinet, to wit Mr.. Campbell. of Penn a,
a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
This was as I had received the statement
| from Mr.. Barringer in the first instance, and it
was thus that had spoken of it. asked Mr..
Barringer if | had represented him correctly,
fer that should probably speak Of it again, and
wished to be sure, that might give the state
ment correctly. Mr.. B. replied that l had
stated the matter correctly, and then went on
to relate the occasion and incidents of this re-
mark to him by the Pope's Nuncio.
A few days since l received letter from
Mr. Barringer, dated ssNiagra Falls, July 9th,
1855, - in which, after alluding to the fact that
| he had lately seen published, a synossis of my
speech in Washington, in which was report
| ed as having mentioned the matter in terms
somewhat variant from those in which he had
| stated it to me, he (Mr. b. goes on to reiter-
atewhat he had twice before stated to me.
will quote to you, Uerbatin, the language
used by him, in an extract from this letter, just
received, to wit: s'Before had any authentic
| and certain news of the formation of the Cabi-
| net, and while it was subject of conjecture at
the Court of Madrid, he (the Pope's Nuncio)
told me that Judge Campbell of Pennsylvania
was appointed, and that he was a a Catholic
which was the first intimation had either Of
his appointment or of his religion"
This is the statement as [ had given it t,when
alluding to it in public; although it might have
| Deen SIiSHGiy Nbleu III tue newspaper IcpoIts;
and this, think, establishes the charge, long
since made, and believed by thousands, that
| there was an understanding, to call it by no
worse name, that the Roman Catholic vote
should be given to Mr.. Pierce. and that he in
turn, should give to that Church a seat in his
Cabinet, as well as many other high positions.
You at liberty to make any use you please
of this letter, in yindication of yourself against
| the charge of falSehood by the L Union ncwspa-
per, inasmuch as you based your statement on
my authority. Yours, very truly,
| X. RAYNER.