Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-09-28
The Political Power of the Cath
OIic Priesthood in Hamilton
County,

OAtC GEsCSaAOO0 AA 1hhAAAALOAA
County.
The Enquirer of this city, and the pa
pers of the party generally, have much to
say against the American movement, be-
cause of its proscriptive character, its inter-
ference with religious freedom, and its wal
upon Catholicism. The American move
men., as we understand it, never attempted
or intended TO pursue proscriptive policy.
The party did, however, intend to inaugu-
rate healthy American feeling and ma
tionality. 1t was only when the Church
interfered with the liberty of the citizen,
and attempted to coerce men TO vote as d.
rected by the priests, that the American
party stepped in to protes: against an inhu-
ence so dangerous 10 Republican liberty.-
That priestly influence has been exerted to
favor the election of parlisans in this coun-
ty, we have the evidence of Major F. John
son, who is now running upon the Demo
cratic ticket as a candidate for the Legisla-
ture. o .s-- -
1t is well known that Mr.. johnson be-
longed to the Know Nothing party. We
are informed by gentlemen who cannot be
mistaken, that Mr.. johnson took al least
two degrees, although be said at Carthage,
if he was reported correctly-and he has
not questioned the accuracy of the reports
that be only took one degree. He also
admitted that he had given the information
to Mr.. Robinson, the editor of the Enqaar-
er, upon which the attacks upon the Amer
ican party, which appeared in that paper
last fall or spring, were founded.
We have the testimony of many gentle
men of the highest responsibility, who were
members of the Council TO which Mr..
johnson belonged, that he was very ac-
tive and Jealous member of the Order
He was one of the chief speakers within
the Council-that his denunciations of the
Treasury Eaters, and bis exposition Of the
corrupting influence of the Catholic priest
hood upon our elections, were so strong
and pointed that he repeated his speech in
number of the Councils.
Among other things, Mr.. johnson gave
some of his own personal experiences when
he was an active member of the Democrat
ic party in this county. He told the follow
ing story: "a few years ago, few weeks
previous to an election, be was one of a
committee to wait upon Bishop Purcell
and confer with him as to the aid he could
give the Democratic ticket in the event
that certain men would pledge themselves
to carry out certain measures in which il
was known the Bishop felt great interest.
The Bishop replied that he could control
siz thousand tWo hundred yoteS in Hdn,iI
ton county. The committee were amazed
that one man should have the command ol
such an amount of political influence, and
they asked the Bishop if be we're certain
that he could control the votes of so large
number Of men. The Bishop took from
his pocket key, and went to desk in the
room, opened drawer, and took therefronl
book in which were the names of persons
written. "There," said the Bishop, holding
up the book, "Wilhin this book are written
the names Of six thousand two hundred
voters of Hamilton county, and those votes
/ | can command" The committee were
satisfied and retired"
We do not mean to affirm that we have
quoted the exact words of Mr.. Johnson, but
we do mean to affirm that the statement
which they contain is, in form and sub.
stance, the same as that made by Mr.. John
son in the Know Nothing Councils, and fol
making which we have the authority Of
several unimpeachable witnesses Mr.
johnson, we are satisfied, will not attemp;
to deny the general correctness of our
statement--if he does deny it, We shall
bring forward our witnesses 10 substantiate
the truth of what We here assert
1t is grave question for consideration
if the story told BY Mr.. johnson is correct
and We do not mean % impeach, in the
least degree, his verAcity. If Bishop Pur'
cell keeps tally book Of all the Catholic
voters in this county, and says that he car
control the votes of six thousand two hun
dred men, it is formidable power, and one
which may well alarm the honest voters
of the county. Mr.. johnson, as we under
stand the matter, did not make hi. state
ment upon hearsay testimony, but upon
what he saw. He was there in the Bish-
ops room-he heard the declaration-he
saw the book.
Presuming the statement TO be true, be-
cause Mr.. johnson "is an honorable man,
We ask our neighbor of the Enquirer what
be thinks of it. Can he blame men fol
feeling alarmed at the power of the Catho-
lie Priesthood, and their influence upon ouI
elections, when the head Of the church in
this city informs committee of the Dem.
ocratic party that he holds in his hand:
over six thousand votes in this city alone
We here leave the case for the present.
and pause for a reply Cincinnati GAG
Keep it Before the People!
That whenever the slavery question came
before congress, no matter in what shape
while Gov. Medill was member of thai
body, he invariably voted with the South
erners.
KEEP 1T BEFORE THE PEOPLE!
That he voted to sensure the venerable
old John Quincy Adams for presenting Pc
titions upon that subject from the people
And
uHrn TT DFFnpE THE pFOPTFI