Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-02-24
tProm the N. II. Independent Democrst.l
INTOLERANCE OR PoPERY.

tProm the N. II. Independent Democrst.]
INTOLERANCE OR PoPERY.
The blatant organs and orators Of Nebraska
Hunkerism are eloquent wherever they go. in
praise Of the liberal and progressive spirit Of
Roman Catholicism. To hear the Ddncans,
Harrimans, the John II. Georges, and Ben
Ayerses talk, one would gness that Popery was
the very embodiment Of Religious and Civil
Liberty; while Professionalism was but another
name for Tyranny and Intolerance. Now, we
have no wish to do injustice to the Catholics.
We would contend for their having al the
rights that they can properly claim. But no
more. We would not Danish the Bible from
our schools for them or their priests. We
would not modify our school laws to suit their
ignorance or their superstitons. Nor, be-
cause we arc unwilling to do this, are we Just
ly chargeable with "ausying ourselves against
the great American principle of federation. -
No such thing. federation is not what Popery
wants 1t is no, equality, but supremacy that
il demands.
The whole history Of Popery is contest for
civil power. Every step in the progress Of
Roman Catholicism is marked with the torture,
the gibbet and the auto da fe. By the very
theory Of Catholicism, which assumes as a
cardinal fact, the Infallibility Of the Pope,
there can be no religious federation. Start with
the assumption that Popery is infal.ible, and it
follows that all departures therefrom are "dam-
nable heresies." Hence ii follows that all de-
parters from the true Catholic Church ough, 10
be damned both in this world and in the next.
Romansm toleraies no dissenier from its dog
mas In its weakness, it may neglect TO per.
secute. But il never fails to uphold the prn-
ciple Of persecution. 1t was never known TO
assert the rights of private conscience.
That we do Popery no injustice, we will show
by going to the fountains Of Catholicism in
America.
The Shepherd offhe Valley, Catholic pa.
per published at 81. Louis, under the aulhori-
ty of the Bishop, says:
"The church is Of necessity ininlersnt.-
Heresy she endures when and where she must
but she hates it, and directs all her energies 10
its destruction. If Catholics ever gain an i'm
mense numerical majority, religious freedom in
this country is at an end. So our enemies say
So we believe"
Another Catholic authority declares
"That Popes and general counsels have pass
ed The most bloody and prosecuting laws against
all whom they are pleased 10 denominaie as
heretics, is now generally conceded by nteli-
gent defenders OF Inc Catholic faitii-and il is
maintained, as we have seen, that il they
should ever obtain decided numerical MAORI
~ in this country, they will be bound by the
very nature Of their religion to act on the same
principles, and consequently religious liberty
will thus be at an end. So our enemies say
So we say"
Brownson's Review, which is the very bes,
Catholic authority in the country, says:
eve believe in the direct temporal autho,i.
ty Of the Pope as vicar Of Jesus Chris, or
earth. The church bears by divine right both
swords temporal and spiritually The temporal
sovereign holds il 10 be exercised under her di.
reciion."
The Council of Trent holds the following
language in regard to the power of the Pope
"Sitting 10 the seat in which Peter, the
Prince Of the Apostles, sat 70 the close Of hi,
life, the church recognizes in his person thu
most exalted degrees Of dignity and the fol
amplitude Of Jurisdiction, dignity and juris
diciion not based on Synodal or human consi
tutions, bat emanaiing from no less authorii,
than God himself"
A writer who sigma himself "Aposiolicus, ;
says;
81 say with Brownson, that IL the churcl
should declare that the Constitution and YER,
existence OF this or any other country SHOULD
be extinguished, IT is A SOLEMN ORDINANCE OIL
Con HIMSELF, and every good Catholic woulc
be bound under the penalty Of the terrible pun
ishment pronounced against the disobedieni, /,
obey"
Brownson has said in reference to the Con
stiiulion Of the United States
"our people q. e., the caihoIics) must de
stroy the Constitution of the United States, i
the church DEGREES it,"
Bishop 0'Conner, Of Pittsburg Pa, ha
said, religious federation is ONLY endured iii
the opposite can be established with safety :,
the Catholic world"
The Bishop, at St. Louis, debates, Gamer
lea will soon be Catholic, and then religious lib
ery will cease to exist"
These extracts. or similar ones, might b,
multiplied ad ilfniiirn. They breathe III,
spirit of Romanism in all ages and countries
And have not Proiesianls the right 10 deiene
themselves against this spirit Is il moi n press
ing duty TO defend themselves, their coun,r,
and their religion against power which avowl