The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-21
LETTER OF HON. r. PHILLIPS, OF MOBILE, ALA
BAMA on THE RELIGIOUS PRESCRIPTION OF
CATHOLICS.


give you my impressions of the last development Of pol
cal events Nothing appears interesting the
country than the demonstrations OF the knoy-noh
ngs at philadelphia and Montgomery against the Cath
ocs In their national platform they declare that Chris
apity by the constitutions of nearly all the States by the
decisions Of the most eminent judicial authorities and by
the consent Of the people Of America, is considered M
,ut OF our political system The application of this Is
very apparent But IL il intended to assert pre-
sume il was in the federal constitution which forms
the bond Of our Union and constitutes the political syg
tenn of the United States there Is any such ele-
meut incorporated either by expression necessary
implication, then | deny the truth of the PROPOSE
,ou There is nothing clearer than that in the formation
of the constitution it intended emphatieally to ex-
clude all eonnexon with any religious faith whatever
Separation Of Church and State eternal divorce between
civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, cardinal prne
pes with the seges and patriots TO whom only we but
ali mankind are indebted for this model of republican
government No my friend; they possessed too much
wisdom and practical good TO be content with
feeble imitation OF The existing order of things They dis
tncy saw the evil fruits which the conjunction of pot-
cal and religious power had everywhere produced and in
the discharge of the high duty intrusted to themthe
highest that could be charged withthey determined
to profit by the example and inaugurate political sys
TEN" whose dominion should be exclusively confined TO the
political relations of its constituents acknowledging in the
eye of law the perfect equality Of all secs and faiths
and leaving the whole subject of religion and its re-
ouirements TO the dominion Of that Higher Tribunal
which alone can search the hearts and Judge the
tives OF men The constitution itself gives evidence
OF the soliciude felt upon this subject and the de-
bates which led to its adoption show the high tone
OF feeling that existed in the convention. When Mr. Pinck
ney reported to that body his proyso that religious
test shall be required qualification to any office
or public trust under authority Of the United States
the only opposition he with was from Mr. Sherman,
who declared it unnecessary, the prepang Hberaiy
being sufficient guarantee against such test But nowith
standing the adoption Of this emphatic declaration,
jealous the people at that time Of any governmental
interference or connexion with religion that the first
amendment TO the constitution proposed and adopted
the additional guarantee that Congress shall make law
respecting establishment Of religion prohibiting the
free exercise thereof In those countries where Christi,
anity avowedy forms part % their political system there
ALSO the laws define the particular form of faith to which
the government attaches itself and denounce the penalties
for non-conformy. Let admit that it forms "au
element Of political system and should be
called upon submit conciences to congressional die
taton The argument would then be not remote that
the Christianity intended that protested by the great
majority of the people at the formation and adoption Of
the constitution and that this not only Christian
but an anti Catholic government.
1t in your remembrance that many years ago large
and respectable body of citizens petoned against Sunday
mails They evidently proceeded upon the idea that this
Christian government and that the violation of the
Christian Sabbath sacrilege the government was
bound to put end to- Congress rejected the petition,
and their action approved by the country Now, this
approval could only upon the denial of the proposition
that christianity element of our political system
But my dear sir whether right wrong this head it
must be evident that the assertion of this principle
political platform preluded by q solemn acknowledge
of that Almighty Being who rules the universe
~ .utp
sancfcation intended to appeal to the religious feelings
of the country that they might the easily be drawn
into the Of political strife and combined for what
declared to of the great objects of the
nen resistance to the aggressive policy and corruptng
tendencies of the Roman Catholic Church in country
by the advancement to all political stationsexecutive
legislative judicial diplomatcof Hos only who do not
hold ciuH allegiance directly indirectly 10 any foreign
poger cheer cip ecclesiastical and ho americans
BIZ birth, education, and training"
Having first asserted that Christianity was element
Of political system do you perceive how smoothly
the inference drawn that pure Christianity requires the
exclusion of Catholics from the rights of citizenship
know that upon qubble it may be denied that this
inference is Justified but the quotation means this or
nothing The circumstances which surrounded this deca
ration have written upon it its true scope and character
No great change in government accomplished by
the full development Of its principles in the inception
the movement. Our revolution rested for a period
upon redress of grievances accompanied with earnest
protestaton of continued loyalty the British
The change aimed at for excluding Catholics from
their share in the government of the country like all ad
cal and revolutionary movements, must be effected if e
feced at ALL by gradual stages Of progress which nure
to the Journey and accusom to the road Let those
who may be unwilling to admit that my inference is
just read attentively the which Transporting
around The sentiment of the Philadelphia
is repeated every assembly of the party Its
sition to the election to Office of every who
ognses the right Of any religious denomination po-
tca power the authority of any higher law than the
constitution Of the United States The country is flooded
with spurious literature in which the Imagination of its
authors has been stimulated into activity portray the
nced horrors of closter and CELL and describe the Cath
Ollie priesthood clothed in the garments of every
In many parts Of the country the pulpit is Illuminating
docrinary essays prove the Catholic Church corrupt
and its adheents unfit deposaes of the rights of citizen
ship II Catholic citizen, however capable and honest,
be appointed to political position, howl is heard
throughout the land and denuncation follows the APP
pointment What is the meaning of all this | cannot
be deceived by any set phrase of speech tear off the
Aimsy disguise of words and behold the naked and
hideous truth: Religious Intolerance Party assem-
bles have met this declarations of political prin-
cples have been common in practice new parties
have been formed old have been modified but
when before in history has il been considered
sary anathenatize "the aggressive policy and
uptng tendencies of the Roman Catholic Church, When
before has it been found proper introduce religion into
our political organizations? When before was the fitness
kxt