The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-15

terent candidates, without the slightest regard
to religious distinction, without any concert of
action for the purpose of monopolizing political
power, differing, in these respects, in no de-
gree from their Protestant brethren.
| As a matter of fact, every Catholic on taking
Office under Federal or State Government,
swears to support the Constitution of the Uni
ted States as the Supreme Law of the land;
every Catholic layman, priest, Jesuit, becoming
naturalized, under oath renounces allegiance
to any and every foreign prince, potentate, or
power, and declares his allegiance to the Uni
| ted States
We state matters of fact. Now, on what
pretext can we get up political crusade against
these people? So long as they swear and main
tain allegiance to our Government, and obey
the laws, like other citizens, are to hold them
responsible for the absurd pretensions of the
Papal See, or the ridiculous fantasies of Brown
son & Co., who would demonstrate the genuine
ness of their recent conversion by supererogatory
zeal?
| Let US be Just. Let US treat men, as men
not as Catholics or Protestants, Heterodox or
| Orthodox, Unitarians or Calvinists, natural
lied or native, black or white Here we are,
twenty four millions of human beings, standing
upon the common level of Humanity, the off
spring of one God. Let us be just to each 9TH
er-claim no right for ourselves, which We do
not admit in our neighbor-impose on him no
burden, which we are unwilling to bear. While
we all recognise our allegiance to one Govern
ment, let that Government protect all in the
enjoyment of equal rights.
The Protestant has no right to claim exemp-
ton from tax imposed upon the Catholic; the
white man has no right to claim exemption
| from burden imposed the black man.
Political determinations against any class of
persons, on account of birth, complexion, rel-
gion, or religious connection, can be justified
on no Principle, whether we regard the Law
of Nature, the precepts of Christianity, or the
creed of Democracy which, in fact, is only the
application of the two former Elements to Pol
itics.
| But, do you not regard the Papal Power as
an evil? Do you not believe that the influence
of the Catholic Church is unfavorable to the
IA
we believe all this. We are thoroughly Prot
| estant, by nature, by education, by reading,
| by mature, immovable conviction and we be-
| leve that true Professionalism is always the ally
| and help-meet Of free institutions. But, what
have political instrumentalites to do in settling
the Questions between Professionalism and Cath
olicism? In one country, the Civil Power
degrades and proscribes the Protestant, in an
other the Catholic. Who is benefited, who is
honored? What new light is thrown upon the
questions in controversy? What does religion
gain, what great interest of Man is promoted ?
Does civil degradation convince the Protestant,
Or convert the Catholic? There is no adaptation
Of the means to the end. "Put up thy sword
my kingdom is not of this world"
Know Nothing wisdom in the Massachusetts,
Legislature has introduced an amendment to
the Constitution, to exclude Catholics from
Office VIII you make them bear their full
share of the burdens. of the State, while you
exclude them from any Of its honors, from any
share of its power? We thought Protestant
ism believed in equal rights. Most reforma
tory measure! How many Catholics will be
converted by such punishment? VIII it tend
to abate their prejudices against Protestant
ism, to inspire them with kindly sentiments, to
weaken the ties that bind them to their Church
Must not the tendency of such a policy be to
knit them together in hatred Of your institu-
| tons, to wed them more and more to their
| Church. to arouse in them spirit of antago-
oh oh
the action upon them Of those innumerable as
sociations and influences in this country, which
have hitherto powerfully, although insensibly,
| sundered the connections of thousands upon
| thousands with the Catholic Church? The
amendment proposed, if adopted by the People
| of Massachusetts,, will be the sanction of the
| Professionalism of that State to the Catholic
| policy of prescription, wherever it prevails.
Professionalism" did we say? We will not
| dshonor the word. There is no Professionalism
in such policy. 1t is conceived in the spirit of
Antichrist. 1t is but a revival of the spirit
which whipped QuakerS and hung witches.
The Constitution of the United States has
defined treason to be, levying against the
| United States, any of them, and giving aid
and comfort to the enemy. If any man be
convicted of such a crime, Catholic Or Protest
ant, give him the doom of traitor.
If the Catholics choose to make the Com
mon School system a political question, meet
them fairly and squarely, and vote them down,
as you have always done, without the aid of
Ned Buntline's Own.
| If they attempt to obtain some new tenure
of Church Property, by which the hierarchy
shall have the sole and perpetual control and
disposition of it, send men to the State Legis-
latures, as you have done, to vote down any
such project.
When Brownson, and a few crazy theorists
like him, essay to apologize for the despotism
of the Old World, to turn the tide of American
sympathy from the cause of European Democ-
racy, and to disseminate in this country Anti
Revolutionary ideas, expose them; hold them
and their arguments up to the contempt they
deserve.
| You have the Pulpit the Press, the Free
School, the Ballot Box, and an overwhelming
numerical superiority. Are not these enough !?
Can you be satisfied with nothing short. Of the
civil degradation of your Catholic brethren?
The Slave Interest is despot 1t demands
implicit submission from the politicians and
parties of the North, and the demand has been
complied with. What fragrant violations of
the Constitution has it perpetrated, with the
aid of Northern Services What say the Anti.
Slavery men of Massachusetts, Will they