Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-09


s., "ihere has been great deal of misconceptiO
and Misrepresentation. It's said that this propo
slion involves violation of the Constitutions is re
pugnant to liberty of conscience, and cruel and un
reasonable prescription But is it 81? Does not tn
constitution give me a right to vote rs | please
Gan not set up standard for myself, and Won
for no man who does not come up TO it Wher
is there more prescription in a K. n. not voiIn!
Tor Catholic than for a Catholic not voting Tor
h.N.? The American party does not object Il
The Catholics on account of their religious sentl
nents bnt on account oftheir political sentiments
They maintain that the true Catholic has not re
nounced but acknowledged his primary allegiance
both temporal and spiritual, to the Pope 10 sus
tain this proposition Mr.. S. quoted from Brown
sons Review the recognized organ of the Catho
lie Church. These>are the doctrines said Mr.. )
to which The American party takes exception
how can any man holding these political doctrines
be suitable man to fill office under our Govern
ment You see then there is no lntermeddllns
with religious freedon-that is matter between
man and his God. But these are doctrines that
relate not to religion but to politics.
There is one branch of the Catholic Church
(the Gallican) to which these doctrines have nc
application. Mr.. Chandler denied the temporal
authority of the Pope when his speech reach
ed Ireland it was Indignantly repudiaied as her
esy. lfyou recognize this doctrine of "higher
ia,o" how can you object TO Seward? lfyou
cannot without invading religious freedom refuse
to vote for man holding these opinions, we
shall next hear, that you must not refuse to vote
for an Abotionst His ''higher law" is as much
part OF his religion as the Catholics.
But it is objected that this party is secret or
ganizalion. There is no secrecy as to its objects
-only as to means-secrecy is not unusual-all
parties consult in secret, and hold cauGuses where
not only means but objects are concealed. | haz-
ard little in saying that the democratic party has
at this moment, secret societies in this very town
and throughout the COMMUNICATING in private
and after night to arrange their party taclics.-
They are not called councils but committees
There are secrets in State and IN Church family
secrets commercial secrets-miltary secrets
and lovers secrets. MIR. 5. said he once belong
ed to secret politica organization himself, =
VIII ich met often at night aud the members OF
which were sworn to secrecy. We we 6 consult
ing about affairs that concerned you-but we kept
IL TO ourselves That organization was the Cabi-
net of the United States All! but says MIR Let
cher-ths K. N. organization is the Hartford
Convention rediucius-lhat sat with closed doors
Mr.. l.. might have gone farther and stated that
| the Continental Congress sat with closed doors
and so did the federal convention of 'S7 which
formed our Union. Why may not the Anerican
party do the same in order 10 preserve it2
But il is said there is something behind the
curtain. Now we knew there are good men in
the order-thers are proJaJiya haif dozen pres
ent (here '.Sam" made himself heard aud eve
ry hour they stay in they testify with the whole
weight of their character 10 it's patriotic purposes
The cause of all this cutlery, said MIR. 5. about
the secrecy Of the organization, arises FROM the
fact that the opposition cannJt find out who have
LETT them. They want 10 apply the party lash"
and whip the deserters back into ranks. Even in
this region he had understood that persons suspect
belonging to the order had been threatened with
suits by their creditors, if they dared to exercise
the privileges of (reemen.
But it fills me with amazement when hear
prescription denounced by those who have never
spared any officer either high or low who has
dared TO differ with them in political sentiment.
Mr.. Stuart concluded by expressing the opinion
that upan the result of the election in Virginia
depended the fate of the Uaion Virginia is the
flag ship of the Sonth, and if she does not sustain
this effort to build up national party, the game
IS up Sectional organization will be the results
of defeat here, and Wise's election as Governor
will be bat the precur of Stewards election
to the Presidency.
We have thus endeavored to give faint out
line of Mr.. Stuari's remarks. He concluded
bout two o'clnck, and retired from the platform
amid prolonged applause.