Washington telegraph., 1855-12-12
The position which the American party

Inc position which the American party
occupies towards the Roman Catholic church
is one. which We think, should meet the ap-
proval of all right thinking men. and yet,
in nothing have they been more misrepre-
sented. They have been accused of making
a religious test in direct violation of the
constitution of the United States, and of
prosecuting a church for its tenets of faith.
To this charge the American party pleads
not guilty, and is ready to meet the issue
before the people So far indeed is it from
the truth. that one of the cardinal principles
of the party is. that 'every man shall wor-
ship God according to the dictates of his
own conscience" being responsible TO Him
alone for his conduct The Chinaman with
his idols as he bows in alteration before them
would not be molested by the American
party any more than would members of the
Methodist. Baptist, or any other denomina-
ton. hor do they seek TO infringe the least
right of members of the Catholic church in
the celebration of their solemn mummeries.
Nay more we believe that church would
find none more ready TO defend her rights
against all assaults, come whence they may
than the American party.
But whilst this is the position held by
that party towards the Roman Catholic
church, as reli gious institution, it occupies
.tc
organization 1t is useless for those who are
opposed 10 the American party to deny that
the Pope of Rome, by virtue of his Office,
claims the power of interfering in the gov
ernrnent Of other countries. History too
well attests the fact, and however much he
and his bishops may disclaim any such power
the numerous instances in which it has been
done within the last few centuries, afford
tco stropg proof that such power is claimed
by them as part Of the patrimony of ST. Pc
ter Their acts give the lie to their words
when they make any such disclaimer, and we
must judge them by their acts In many of
the Kingdoms of Europe this claim has been,
and is now recognized, and whilst some of
them, as France, have for the last two hun
dred years refused TO submit to it, others.
and particularly the Empire of Austria. has
recently, by solemn Concordat, acknowl-
edged the power.
The Roman Catholic population Of the
United States is mostly composed of emf
grants from Ireland, and the Continent
of Europe. They have brought with them
all the peculiar feelings and prejudices held
in their respective countries, in regard to
this divine right Of the Pope. and when
they land upon our shores. they are still
Influenced and governed by them-hence
we find here the Gallican and the ultra
montana Catholic The French deny, and
the Irish and Italians avow, the supremacy
of the Pope. The latter. led on by O. a.
BRowNsoN. have been. for the past few
years, coIstendiBg with earnestness for their
peculiar tenets of faith. They have openly
avowed that the Pope is the proper person
to decide for them, whether this Govern
ment is such as they should support, and
promulgated other doctrines equally subver-
siye of the sovereignty of this Union
With them the American Party can never
fraternize. 1t says to them, you can wor-
ship as you please, but we do not regard
you as fit persons to be entrusted with the
liberties of free people We do not be-
lieve you can be true and faithful subjects
of this government mo man can serve
two masters" says Holy Writ-'he will
either hate the one and love the other,
or else he will hold to one and despise the
other" You cannot swear 10 maintain the
constitution aud laws of this country against
all opposition, and at the same time owe a
higher allegiance to any earthly potentate
We are unwilling to place you in any Of
fee Of honor or trust
We see no reasonable ground of objec-
tion to this principle of the American Par
ty- We see not how the most bigoted par
tizan can object. The Constitution is here
recognized as the highest authority in the
land. To it ali laws must be made to con-
form-by it all must be governed. until the
people. the only rightful sorereigns of the
soil, see fit in their sovereign capacity
to alter or abolish their form of gov
ornment. The Constitution is the embod-
led will of the soverei On people. and so
long as it remains uaaltered, it is the chart
oftheir nations freedOm-;he broad aegis un-
der which the oppressed of foreign lands can
only hope to find a resting place from tyranny
and oppres sion. Venerating the principles