Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-11
Toleration.

We commend to the pcrusal Of our readers,
the article over the signature Of I" Allegiance,
reviewing the laws Of Maryland, which existed
when the Catholics In thakstate held the legis-
lative power Of the State. Ithas been frequently
boasted by our enemies, that the Catholics Of
Maryland set an example Of liberation in reli-
gious matters worthy Of all praise, but our able
and thorough searching correspondent scatters
10 the winds that assumption leaving them not
an inch of ground to.stand on.
We forbear further comment on this subject
now, az we presume that all who are really de-
circus Of knowing the truth Of history, will
carefully examine and consider the authentic
proofs adducod by our correspondent to over
throw the spurious claims Of Romanism to the
character of tolerance.
Connected with this question, our enemies
have often referred to the services Of many
Catholics during the Revolution, who bravely
fought for the Independence of the Colonies,
and aided In the establishment Of liberty.
We have no disposition to dctract from the
merits Of such men as Charles Carroll Of Car
rollton, nor to deny to the Catholics Of Mary
land at that day, the credit Of being influenced
by patriotic motives in their efforts to throw
of the yoke Of British oppression; but, those
who defend Romanism now, must bear in mind
that we can furnish another motive, besides
aud beyond patriotism, for the exertions Of
those Catholics of the Revolution who fought
against and preached against the tyranny of
England, and stirred up our fathers in that
glorious contest
Admitting 1--WE say that they were truly
patriotic, they were also antagonistical in their
religious sentiments, and forms Of worship, and
Of Church government to the established
Church OF, England, and if no cause had arscn
for political revolution, they would have en-
braced the first moment in which any hope
ofsuccess had dawned upon them, to free them
selves from allegiance to heretics. Oppressed
as were all the colonies by Great Britain, in
the way of taxation, and the arbitrary exercise
Of political power, the Catholics of Maryland
had still stronger motive for throwing off
their allegiance to the mother country for
though tolerated themselves by the British
government, they doubtless desired, as Ro.
manists Of the present day desire and aim, TO
crush heresy In all countries and all climes.
The Romish Church submits to Protestant
government only 20 long as IL must, audit pro-
claims through its recognised presses, that II
sosr tho Catholics obtain numerical pre-
pondsrdnoe in these States, religious tolcrd-
ton uiu cease. so said tho Shepherd Of the
Valley" and so said Brownson'--so say In
substance all their presses, and so say the Je-
suits In their oath, as we have heretofore shown
in our columns.
That there are thousands Of American Cath
oHcs, at the present time, who win resist the
temporal power Of the Romish hierarchy, il
doubtless true
The Creole Catholics Of Louisiana and theil
descendants, and thousands Of Amcricsn-borr
Catholics, elsewhere assert their Independence
Of the Pope. Let them in some authentic ana
united demonstration proclaim and maintain
that Independence, and thus separate them
sclves from Jesuitism and Forcignisn, and Their
Protestant counrymen will rejoice in such
movement, and hail them, as co-workers in the
great american Reformation now in pro
gress, and In tho ".fuu tide Of successful or
fsri,nsntt"