Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-07-18
Temporal power Of the Pope.

The common sense Of this nation, says
the Petersburg Democrat, has reyolted at
the bigotry and absence of all regard for
truth, .ofthoSe partisans who have been en-
deayoring for months past to prescribe a
portion of their fellow citizens on account
of their religion. The pretext for this has
been.the assertion as shameless as the intol-
erance, tits expected TO Justify, to wit: that
the professor of that faith acknowledge a
. temporary, allegiance 20 a foreign poten-
tate - 1.s, F.. a- .. '.-r. IL ....
The falsehood of the charge has been
proved by many. the most irrefragible
evidences TO which we add the following.
1t forms the conclusion of the circular let
ter of the late council OF Roman Catholic
Bishops at Baltimore-a letter we may add
which has been published to the world, and
is read in all the churches Of that persuasion
in the disease.
beloved brethren of the laity we en-
brace you all with paternal affection, and
entreat you to act circumspectly, for the
days are evil. You know what manner Of
precepts we have given you in the name Of
the Lord Jesus. For this is the will Of God,
your sanctication. Be peaceful, sober,
just and faithful, i'll the performance of all
duties towards all mankind. Practice pa
tience, forbearance, charity toward ALL
In the exercise Of your rights as free citi-
zens. remember your responsibilities to God
and act as freemen, but not as having lib
erty as cloak of malice. but as the ser.
wants of God. Res poet and obey the con-
stituted authorities, for all power is from
God. and they that resist, resist the ordi,
nauces of God, and purchase for them.
selves damnation. To the general and
State governments you owe allegiance in
all that regards the civil order: The author
tiles Of the Church challenge your obedi>
ence in the things of salvation. We have
no need of pressing this distinction which
you fully understand, and constantly OBJ
serve, You know that we have uniformly
taught you both publicly and privately, t
perform all the duties of good citizens, am
that we have never cxacted Of you, as VIC
ourselves have never made, even to the
highest celestial authority, any engage
ments inconsistent, with the duties we owe
to the country and its laws. On every op
perfume occasion we have avowed these
principles, and even in our communica
tons to the late Pontiff, rejected as a ca
luminous imputatiop that we were in civil
matters subjected to his authority Be no
disturbed at the misstatements of our ten
cts which are daily made, or at the effor
to deprive US Of our civil rights, aud of the
confidence and esteem of our fellow citi
zens. Formidable as is the combination
for this purpose, we do not despair tina
the justice and good sense of the nation
viii! soon discover the groundless charac
ter of the suspicion thrown on the fdelit,
of catholics, whose religion teaches then
to respect and maintain the established or
der Of society. under whatsoever govern
ment they may be placed. Brethren, lie
the light ofyour example shine before me,
that they may see your good work au'
glorify your father who is in heaven
Pray for the conversion and salvation c
all men for this is the will Of God, VIII
desires that all men may be saved, an
may come to the knowledge of the truth
Given under our hands in Provincic
Council at BdIttmo' e, tie 1871 Of May 1
the year of our Lord 1855.
FRANCIS PATRICK .Arch>6isho
Of Baltimore, and eight others.