Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-03-02
F.T TIC EN2uWef.
KNOW -XOTHINCS VERSUS CATHOLICS.

In glanring over the works of tho Rcr. sydney
Smith, few days since | was struck with th. Let
ter ~ te ELECTORS upon the Catholic quHton, us be-
ing very opposite TO the present Nothing PR
stCurIuS Of that religious denomination. il VIII he
borne in mind by the reader, that sydney Sn!th was
II Minister Of tho English Church, and oppose! entire
~, both byproesson and education to thn principles
OF tho Catholics in religious matters. All his pr'Judl-
ces land they were Of ordinary chnracter were en-
listed against tho tccts OF that church and he ohn-
not, therefore, be accused Of par.iay in the views
here expressed. A.
II is, therefore evident that after examining the
subject nv all the light. hnt his clear lrad and non
est heart could bring 10 bear upon H. he was con
vinced, not only Il. All honest and patriot: Ehe:ish
man. but also faithful and fearless Munster Oh ,
gospel of the business ~ the opinions contained IN inns
letter shall o.otc extensively from 1t, with the
hope that may be instrumental IN some measure ID
awakening the Know Nothing party TO sense oi the
deep and gross inu.ticc which they nrc endeavorlng
Ia innic upon religious sect, whore only crhne II
seems ia that they choose to worship the Deity in
particular manner and according I" the dictates OF
their own conscience r'ght c"drdnit'd by ne con.
sntOa. This letter WA addressed 10 inc electors oi
Great Britain upon the question OF Ihtholc Enahc'
PATTON or, in more intcgbIe language upon the pro-
i,os,ion TO confer n the civil rights enjoyed by En-
slshmen upon :he Catholic+; which nights nad Deeh
heretofore withheld by special laws 10 that eirct
Tho fundamental principles which lay ut the bot
tom nf the present Know Nothing attack upon ;he
Catholics ARE precisely the rs those that Obtain
ed with the party in England opposed 10 ther e'ht-
cipation aud may be enumerated IN fe" "oru.'-
IhR thsv irere not 10 be htlerfd opon ne" nHs"S :
and that they always ready TO subvcrt aIi gov
crpment for the advanc cmcut oi their own pecuIiaF
views In word, that tho end. no matter w!i"' itpe
justified the use of any and m m'dTS ior us "cc'l
plishmcnt. ruo,.;-,.
sydney Smith bpgins the letter with lie following
ouestion "Whv is not u Catholic 10 be !c.!tv"d on
III, n,tb ~ aud then goes on 10 discuss Il follows
"Wh.t SAWS the law uf the land 10 tt.: c1rhvngahs
piece of injustcei II l. no challenge against a jury
innu 70 .av he s Catholic he sits III Judgment upon
ynur I,fs and proper.y. Did any man ever hear II
n tina, such or such person put to death or tina;
be lost his property, because Cnthouc wns among
Ii, iurymrn Is the question ever put Does IL
ever enter into the mind OF the attorney or ne coun-
scor 10 inquire OF the faith of the jury IL 4 man
SCI. horse or 4 house, or field, does lie ask II the
purchaser is Catholicl Appeal TO your oarn srpe-
renee, and try that the aGst U aitest' teJ Justice
Of this enormous charge.
commend the los, remark to the attentive consi'
deration Of the Kuow-Nothing party; and would ask
each ono of that party if they in their personal M
tercourse have found just cause for prescribing any
member of the Catholic Church with whom they
have been associated The reverend nuthor then pro-
cces in come remarks tue subject ot treaties whlcG
nre ~ appiicable the present time to tile Inlteu
states as they were 10 England when they were writ
ten He says I'VE are III treaty with many ol the
! powers nj Europe, because We believe III the goou
faith OF Catholics Two-thirds OF Europn are III fnc'
Catholics Are they all periured Forthe hrs, FOUR
teen centuries all tho Christian world were CalhocI.
Did they live constant state OF perJuryt gu u.
these objections against the Catholics are oeH 49,
by very serious aud honest men: but, much uDu.
il votaire hns advanced anything against liI IS
tain religion 60 horrible, as 10 sny ihnt os
those who prolcs, it n.e unfit i all the purposes VI
Shonlt this party get the control o: pubic affairs
(which trust may never be he case ~ w uei ~
~ on, their views they must 1.au az "e"tH" WIN
Catholic countries for Catholics IN their esutna'lon
ars NOT 10 be trusted in any civil compact. lnus we
500 ~ ,vhat ab,urdi,es ito use no stronger term inc
nr;rcnle. OF the Nothing party reduce them
saIves when practically applied and 1t seems to me
,ha, we need no stronger evidence than this OF the
fact that the whole system is desperate trick OF
dSssrate party, merely 10 secure, il possible, the
spo;ls OF office" shall conclude this article with
one additional quotation, which is alike honorable to
the heart and head Of the distinguished writer and
would bag men OF al parties to read it attcnt!veiy
and give due weight the Christian as well as no.
bic sentiments it Contains II is follows ut IS very
difficult for electors, who much occupied oy other
matters to choose the right path amid the rage and
fury of faction but give you one mark, potc J0r q
free altar give what the lnw compels you 10 give 10
the establishment THAT doneI no chains no prisohH'
no bonfire for mans faith and above oil, no nD-
dsrn qualifications and inedpde1t'ss which arc 0y SIC
cruelty and tyranny OF more e'r,hsed age M cisn
offices open TO oil Catholic or Protestant Ai1s!
man, Mora,iaa or Church Of England OF We