Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-08-01
.S'PAUNTON SPECTATOR.
A Gun Reversed.

All ewes are now turning with grea. interest to
tho pending political canvass in North Carolina,
the issue of which must have powerful lnfiu-
ence upon the future destiny Of parties. In the
midst of the apparent political siagnation in the
Old Dominion, it is refreshing to record an a
cbevement in n sister commonwealth which re.
bounds to the honor of the American cause
Like the battles Of the revolution it may be pro-
nounced b. the enemy small affair, but IN Its
Influence it will probably tell with powerful Ell
feet upon the approaching election.
Itseems that at a recent discussion between the
opposing candidates for Congress, Messrs Branch
and Shepard, letter was introduced by the for
mer, who represents the Democratic party, from
the notorious o. A. Brownson OF Boston. This
letter was in reply to one from gentleman OF
North Carolina, calling upon Brownson for ian ex-
preston of his views on the subject Of papal gu
premacy, and bore the very recent date of June
18th, 1855. 1t was introduced by MIR. Branch to
show that BrownsofNetracted all his hitherto OBJ
noxious sentiments as published in his well
known Review 1t happened, however, that Mr..
Branch read but small part Of the letter, and
Mr.. Shepard having obtained possession OF it, du-
ring his subsequent rejonder read the whole of 1t,
and made it manifest TO everybody that the letter
itself was as grossly erroneous as anything that
ever emanated from Brownson's pen. Mr.. Branch
has since been compelled as an honest man to de-
nounce both Brownson and his doctrine, and the
letter, having been demanded, now appears in the
columns of the American papers as a re-assertion
OF Brownsou's part of the worst opinions Promul-
gated in his Review.
We must content ourselves for the present with
but one or two extracts from this significant letter
Brownson appears to be an honest and fearless ex-
pouent of the principles of his Church and his can
dor on the following remarks upon the Pope os.
the people ought to be acknowledged
What claim for the Pope, as visible head Of
the Church, is the power to release my conscience
from this religious bond, and to place me at liber-
~ to resist the prince become tyran. This is all
/ understand by the deposing power.
The power, itself, everybody not tyrant or a
slave asserts The American Congress of l776
asserted it, and deposed George the Third. The
only difference is, some give IL to the people, some
to the individual; and claims it for the Church
and the Pope as the head of the Church.
Thereit is, as explicit as human language can
make it, and made SO by him whom Pope and hi
erarchy have acknowledged as pillar of the Cath
Ole Church-not by such neoPhyte as Chandler,
but by an authorized and petted exPounder of
Catholic principles.
But listen again.
1.-The Pope is the proper authority to decide
for me, whether the Constitution of this country
is or is not repugnant to the laws Of God Ii he
decides that il is not then am bound in conscience
to obey Sc"
ofcourse the Pope is the proper authority for
Catholics, to decide upon all laws passed by A
mericau Legislatures, and if he decides that they
are repugrant to the laws of Gcd, then they ale
not bound in conscience to obey In the name Oh
candor and conscience, we ask what language
could express the '.higher law' doctrine OF Sena-
tor Seward in form more repugnant to the prin-
ciples of popular government and more unsettilng
to tho sovereignty of a free people?
The captured gun is playing with fatal precision
upon the foreign ranks in North Carolina.