Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-06


stituton Of the United States declares that Con
gress shall make no law respecting an establish \
ment ofreligion aud yet foreign government has
already created such an ertabshment amongst us.
They have already made connexion between
Church and state, and that State il a ian-L gov.
ernment The fundauent-i - ,nci,la a. H. bier-
archy, the lss.t Of its head and their form Of
government are at war with the selfetident pHn-
c.pIes OF the Declaration of Independence the Con-
stitution efthe United States and the constitutions
Of all of the States. The American constitutions
declare that all questions OF government shall be
settled by the people. The Papal hierarchy claims
that all questions Of power shall be decided by its
nfallible head. The assertion OF this infalii6iity
is denial of the right of private Judgment TO the
whole human race. II is declaration that the
Constitution OF the United States, and the censti-
tutions OF ALL except one OF the States, hereti
cal and the Romish bishop Is bound by his oath,
far as is in his power (persequar ct impugnabo,)
to prosecute and fight against all who obey them.
If all mankind were Roman Catholics, and implicit
ly acknowledged and ebeyed the pretensiuns,
claims, and commands Of the Romish hierarchy,
then all other governments would be swept away,
and the Pope would be king of the whole world
have an abiding confidence IN the truthfulness,
uprightness ind patriotism Of the larger portion
Of the american Catholic aity of the United States.
They must appreciate the distinctions made on
this subject. They understand that no opposition
is made to their religion or to the free exercise
thereof; It is to the political action of foreign
hierarchy, with which they are unfortunately uni
ted that exception is made. l look to see the day
when the American Catholic people Will, by sofne
authoritative and solemn act, declare to the nation
The position which they intend to occupy on this great
question. They owe it to themselves and to their
country to take this STEP No portion of the citi-
of this republic should consent to remain even
in an equivocal position Of allegiance to foreign
power. trust that it is not beyond the bounds
Of probability to hope that the time is not far dis
tant when there shall be an American Catholic
Church, utterly and absolutely separated from the
hierarchy of Rome. The history of the Gallican
Church is full of sufficient precedents for such
course 1t cannot be too forcibly impressed On the
minds Of our American Catholic fclow-ctizens that
good men, throughout the nation, are anxiously
waiting their action In this matter.
Here, then, are two opposing systems. Both
cannot stand under this government. They are in
their very nature antagonistic hostile. They
cannot co-exst--they are irrecohcilable. Which
shall prevail? Which shall yield? 1t is thesarne
old struggle which has shaken the world in all ages,
1t ia the principle of progress and the principle Of
immobility which have endeavored to illustrate
in the earlier parts of this discourse. II is no
more nor less than the old doctrines of the Divine
right to reign, and Of passive obedience. Are We
on the virgin soil of this new world? Shall we
summon from their graves Luther, Zuinglius, Me-
lancthon, lie Feyre, Farrell, Calvin, Knox (?
Jam rcdit ct virgo redeunt Saturna regina
Alter crit tum Tiphys, ct altera que vehat Argo
Delectos heroas, erunt quoque altera bella,
Atque itefum ad Trojan magnus niittetur Achilles.
Are mankind doomed forever to revolvc in one
unvaryng circle? | trust not | trust not. i
hope that some Of the great lessons Of the past
will not be forgotten by this American people.
And yet, because many entertain these senti-
ments, the cry Of intolerance and bgotry has been
raised the grave charge Of violating the Constitu-
ton OF the United States is made. deny the
justice Of these accusations. deny them in the
general--I deny them In the detail They are
founded in misapprehension Of the true princi-
pies of civil and religious liberty, as have endeav-
ored to elucidate them in this discourse. On this
question stand with the Bible in one hand, and
the Constitution of the United States in the other
| rocks on which to build our house more solid than
the eternal granite which upholds the pillars Of the
earth. Chillingworth long since, established that
the Bible is the only rule by which TO judge of
controversies in religious matters, and not Priest,
Prelate, or Pope. The Constitution itself has
plainly, broadly, palpably marked the distinction
which have endeayored to illustrate.
1t is for the free formation and expression Of In
dividua opinion all matters social civil politi-
expression oft be as free as the unfettered wind.
He that manscles or restraints it is an enemy to
frcedon to TRUTH to human progress. Let every
man speak out, and act the truth that is Id him.
The sublime power Of republic springs from the
united expression Of Its individual members; but IL
the freedom Of their thoughts or actions be re-
strained, that strength is impaired or broken.
have remarked that the peculiar strength of
republic results from the union of it's individual
int paA and
of millions Of individual minds, presents the most
sublime exhibition of moral power which can exist
among mankind. This is the mighty energy which,
guided and directed by this wondrous combination
of General and State Governments, has given the
American people their astonishing development.
by this we have been able to achieve, in three
quarters ofa century, what has required successive
centuries in other States. A great people, ami
mated by common impulse, springing from the
enlightened truthful, and voluntary conviction Of
each individual mind, presents spectacle Of en-.
ergy and power not to be surpassed by any posi-
BILE combination Of the human species. Strike out
the voluntary action Of one constituent member,
and you impair its force extort the right of pri-
vate judgment from all, and you produce mass Of
slaves And that disturbing cause, be it the ty-
ranny Of a monarch, or the oppression OF hier-
archy, which impars or Restraints the free exercise
Of individual thought so far as its power Is felt,
weakens the vital principle Of this government,
and tends to establish the passive obedience of
despotism.
But it is not merely In the full and harmonious
display of the true principles of political liberty,
that the advantages Of individual freedom are APP
parent. National progress depends mainly upon
that freedom. The mental excitement and activity
which pervade this nation, present phenomenon
never before beheld among the nations Of the EARTH
Here, If the theory Of our government be kept In
free and pure practical operation, there can be no
dormant intellect, no crushed and motionless abi.
ty. A thousand active and free minds win advance
the interests Of a community thousand fold more
rapidly than the utmost activity Of any single mind
To this source, the enlightened philosopher and
statesman looks most confidently for the develop
ment Of our national glory, our national character
and national strength. This It is which, above
all other things under the protecting and foster
ing influence Of the Constitution Of the United
States, gives to US individuality as people and
power as a nation.
Let these lessons, then, be written in living light
for the instruction Of our children and our chill
dren's children Let us hold fast TO them 10 the