The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL.


House Of Representatives January 10, 1858
The house being in Committee Of The Whole the state
Of the Tnion---
Mr.. CHANDLER said. rise to express M opinions on
subject which ought have been introduced into
the Congress Of the United States bub having been
brought hher and discussed the suggestions Of many
friends lead 20 believe that il my duty 10 present.
not uwrry my opinions, but certain facts in relation
thereto
purpose making some repy 10 the remarks Of the hon
orahe gen enan from Massachusetts Mr. Bavxs who
Gently addressed this House in COMMITTEES Of the
prevailing topics Of the day and made special and ncnpa
tory auson to the creed Of the Roman Catholic Church
involving charge latent against its members
~ least impnng them article of religious hith
that overrdes all aly 10 the OF the country
and would render them unworthy OF public trustsrs-
pectcd citizens and dangerous officers.
Before my direct reference TO the subject of
oy Fsyssks st me say .nas wna,e,sr % may ps ~ & re-
in this House viii acquit OF the charge Of any al
tempt ohrude those opinions upon others press
upon my associates publicly privately any defence of
the creed of my church, the peculay of its forms and
ceremonies Believing, sir that religion is personal mat
ter have avoided public exhibition of my pretensions
and knowing the unpopulary of my creed have been
careful 10 leopard my Of usefulness in their le
climate channel by any untimey presentations OF irree
want and unacceptable dogmas.
But now, sir think cannot be deceived supposing
that well-tempeed reply would only be patiently
ceived in this House. but that attempt such reply
the charge OF the gentleman from Massachusetts, would
gest Catholic is expected from the oldest of the
few, the very few U know but besides myself in this
House who obnoxious any Justly made
against professors of the Catholic religion and who may
be directly interested in defence from imputatons of
of featy the government of the country
quence OF the nature of their obligations TO the Catholic
Church.
IT. Mr. Chairman had not long been a member Of this
House. and thus become able form opinion Of the
honorable gentlemen who compose it might starte at the
risk of presenting myself the professor of creed every
where evil spoken off, and standing almost alone in the
assertion of fact which to be everywhere doubted
stand, too, sir without the sympathes of host of par
tisans sustain In my weakness and pardon
NJ
ment TO the principles advocate.
stand alone, indeed the generous defence offered BY
the gentleman from South Carolina Mr. KEirTl and the
gentleman from Mississippi Mr. BARRY the magnan-
effort OF men who would defend the professors of
creed which they do not hold sir, speak for creed
which do hold stand alone, sir; but stand in the
Congress of the nation stand among gentlemen /
stand for truth and how feeble may be my effort
feel that may continue to depend at least upon the for
bearance of body that has always entitled itself my
gratitude by its unfaing courtesy to my humble exer-
tions.
Mr. Chairman understand the honorable gentleman
from Massachusetts, Mr. in his defence of the
combination put down the Catholic religion in this
country by denying to its members the full rights fct-
zenship that he does bring into discussion
the general creed the Catholics but only that portion
which, it is asserted makes the professor dependent upon
the Bishop of Rome not merely for what he shall hold Of
faith towards God but what he shall maintain OF eaty
towards his political government
Let read paragraph from the published remarks of
the honorable gentleman:
Mr. R,Srs bare no % ehsscs5ian q 5s te any man q the
aMiabte, learned and eloquent
man might be willing to for him, Catholic he is
preference perhaps others my political faith
many accepts, of mine. To it is OBJ
lection that he receives the interpretations OF the Council of
Trent as to the doctrines o. original SIN and
cannot and it can concern man. that az
matter OF fait chershes the doctrine OF tran
ton 70 sacred relics or images ana accepts every article OF
the Nicene creed Each is accountable for his own
faith AZ for mine And even though my name were ap-
Mississippi from the Pennsy sylvanan might still vote for
such man. if otherwise it isy in my way to do so.
] thank God and the honorable gentleman for that.
think please matters purely spiritual But the
honorable gentleman proceeds
belief that the Pope, the head of the Roman Church,
who stands as the Vicar OF God and invested with dis at
tributes of nfalibity not only in matters of
faith, but has also temporal power that not only
troll governments but fitting exgences, absoive his
disciples their allegiance sir. that this
disputed ground But il is wellaested historical fact
that often in time past the claim to secular has been
made and to learn that by the Pope general
council speaking with his acuiescenche only authorized
exponents Of the true fath-ths claim has yet been
disavowed. 1r EsGLAND. =
will say that il be true that the Pope is held 70 be su-
preme secular sacred affairs, that he absolve
from their relations with Others not OF the faith it
strange that should hesitate in support of his follow
would not vote for holding that doctrine,
and doubt not other gentlemen here would with
in that feeling.
The charge them against the Roman Catholics OF this
country is that their view of the supremacy Of the Pope
renders them unsafe citizens because renders them liable
to be withdrawn from their allegiance their civil
government by the DEGREES ordinances of their spiritual
superior OF the cruelty OF disturbing the public mind
with such questions and DISTINGUISHING weldsposed cit
zens shall not speak. shall leave 10 other times,
other persons and in other places the task of inn
peachng and of developing the motives upon which such
discredable and unrighteous proceedings rest shall
leave those who have bitterness of temper than
possess show that though newly revived the charge
is old the hostility of Paganism 10 Christianity
and that those who vating public sentiment in thus
mnsering to the appetite which they have made NOR
bid have their prototype in The malignants who would
cruelty the Saviour lest the Romans come and take
city from VA or in the Titus Oats of later times who disturb
ed the public mind OF England by discoveries OF plots that
existed only in bis infamous invention, and who, by his
peures TO the scaold whose innocence Is
generally admitted is the corruption Of the court in
which such fantastic tricks played and the infmy
of the wretch who could destroy the peace of excellent
portion of the community and send the seatod and
block men OF immaculate purity, merely TO give himself
temporary nooriety, and sort of political aggrandize
ment That branch Of the discussion turn from with
loathng and disgust at the offensive details and with hor
at IL, intimate association with the the motives
and the OF modern times leave such considera
ons others and proceed take notice Of that part Of
Catholics with the head the Roman Catholic Church.
the character Of the ealty which and all Of the Catholic
creed in this country owe to the Bishop of Rome.
The question raised by the gentleman from Massachusetts
is OF political power and that imagine is the lead
ing objection to Catholics aud Caholicity with gentle
who venture the dangerous movement OF dragging
religion into the political Mr.. Chairman, deny
thar the Bishop Of Rome has that he claims for himself
the right 70 interfere with the political relations Of any
other country than that OF which he Is himself the
ereign ! mean--and have no desire to conceal any