The true Democrat., 1855-10-23
Little Rock, Oct. 18th, 1855.
GEoRGETowN COLLEGE, CD. CD

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, CD. CD
 February, 15, 1855. | GENTLEMEN:-A A composition bearing the | title of the Jesuits' oaths" has been circulaI ting in the papers of the country, it is said. ex tensively. On reading it myself, the imposi ton seemed so glaring, so like Sterne's curse made to hand for the Pope, that it seemed me no one could peruse t seriously. Friends however, assure me that thsoath is read by many with long faces. Despite, then, an extreme rc pugnance to appear in the public journals, re quest small place in your columns for th positive and unqualified denial of the use or even existence, now or or ever before, (anl this l aver thoughtfully and with full know ledge) of any such oath among the Jesuits.- If summoned to court they may take oaths a other citizens but as JesuitS they take no oa at all. am humilated, as a Marylander at being called upon, on the borders of any native State to make the above disclaimer, and thus repe the charge of more than latent treason The western shore tf Maryland, the home of my childhood, has ever been a classic place. cher ished in my heart with patriotic pride. There are the remains of my grandfather, a revou. tionary soldier, and there, in an adjoining coun. ty, IS the landing place of "the Pilgrims Q: St. Mary's," whose brightest scenes and best memories are imperishably connected with the Jesuits' name.
 Such antecedents though not ashamed of l certainly should not have adverted to, had not an attempt been made, by fabricated oath and Its et-ceteraS, to cast an unjust and deadly odlum upon religious order of which l am q. present Superior in Mary land l cannot help seeing in this an effort to render me and my bre- thern in religion, aliens at home and strangeB | by our own hresides. We are cruelty misrepre. sented by the framers of the above named oath Were we more like the carcature made of us l feel convinced that they would like us bet ter than they do. Assimilation would bege affection. Still, while with very little heart ache I forego their affection, a due respect for the opinions of men of goodwill, moves me to make brief declaration of our tenets as Jesuits For this purpose I will use the high est official authority, and employ the language of our recently elected and present Superlor. General. 1 quote from an encyclcal letter of his received few days since
 "The society of Jesus being religious or der, has no other doctrine, no other rules of conduct than those of the Catholic church as was publicly declared by my predecessor in 1047. In fact, and in right, the Jesuits are and declare themselves entirely unconnectel with any political party, be it what it may Always and everywhere they say to all by their teaching and by their conduct, 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and un- to God the things that are God's.' (Mark xii ID Such are the principles which the socie- ty of Jesus has always held, and from which it will never depart.''
 This is the definition of the Superior-G Gene ral, and his declaration alone is of authorr for the whole society.
 may yet refer to still higher authority the constitutions of our society. These inca. pacltate member from holding any office ol dignity or trust in it, who intermeddles ID any political affairs or business of State~ (See Institute, vol. ?, p. 39O) Here we see the constitutions of the Jesuits excluding them from the political arena and the Legislature hall
 Our churches and the liberty to do good must suffice for us and whatever our enemle' may say faithful history and grateful hearts 90 and will yet witness in our favor.
 Respectfully,
 c. II. STONESTREET, s. J.
 Provincial of Maryla land