The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-08-25

their exclusion from what they knew was des...
to become a powerful party, were the originators of
this cutlery, with the view of exciting the sympathies
of American Catholics and the Catholic clergy. Re-
gious prescription was simultaneously re-echoed by
the Anti-Amerjcan leaders, Office holders and office
seekers, and by q few religious fanatics North. To
unite these different heterogeneous elements, the
members Of the Roman Catholic Church with the /
foreigners and Northern fanatics, into a homogeneous
body, was the only chance left to political dema-
gogues. Unfortunately for them the cry of religious
moderation wasraisedt too late. Catholics, thousands
ofCatholics, had already Joined the party-incensed at
the alumnie circulated by their enemies, they did
not hesitate to proclaim to the world, that Catholics
could be americans and americans Catholics with.
out inconsistency. y.
Opposition to the American party on the grounds
of religious prescription originated therefore from the
same quarter whence originated the opposition to the
principle that Americans shall govern America =
opposition to the first was only indirect opposition
to the latter. Had the American party proclaimed
the principle that foreigners shall govern America
there would have existed no religious prescription.
Foreign DULLES would have continued in their lucra.
tive employment of drumming up to the polls foreign
votes, to elect to office that no less contemptible class
Of men, office seekers. Our citizens would have been
daily assaulted at the ballot-box by foreign paupers
and Invested of their most sacred rights.
That fanatics North have reiterated the sentiment
OF religious prescription, l do not deny. That it did
or does exist as a principle of the party l do deny. It
originated with the bigoted foreign Catholic, whose
motive, far from being philanthropic, was base and
interested.
fan Anti-Catholic feeling has been excited North,
by the outcry of interested hypocrites, is it a reason
why Catholics should withdraw from an order. which
contains nothing in opposition to their creed. and
which offers the only guarantee for the political ex-
lstence of the country? Must they abandon the ark
of political safety before it reaches the summit of no.
litical salvation Certainly not! 1t is the duty of
American catholics, to remain firm to their princi.
pies, and show Northern Protestants, that American
Catholics are not bigots,-contact will soon remove
the prejudice.
10 these facts, it will probably be objected, that
the sth article of the Philadelphia platform is OBJ
noXious to Catholics. l admit that the article is i'm.
properly worded, that it may be construed to reflect
upon the Catholic Church. Are not those who raised
tne cutlery of religious prescription guilty of having
e8cltedthlst feeling? Do Northern Protestants know
American Catholics? Are not ninety-ninc hundredth.
of Catholics North bigoted foreigners? Is it aston
ishing that prejudice should exist against Catholics.
among the ignorant Professionals Certainly NOT,
Bigots are calculated to excite, not only the preiudi.
ces Oh frotestants, but of thoese who belong to their
w church. Has not experience taught us that
ishoraht members Of every church recognize to a
certain extent, the temporal power of the superiors
OF thelr church, Have not the most evil events oc.
CURED from influences exerted by the clergy?
has 1t not been from the fear of this temporal power
ulat every government has kept a jealous eve upon
the Union of Church and State? Is it not %particu-
larry the case in Europe, whence all our emigration
comes That the ignorant are taught submission to
tne monarch, through the clergy? Does not the
Italian recognize the temporal power of the Pone ? |
Docs not history point out to us an epoch when the
rope OF Rome ruled the destines of France and Enc.
lahaF Why? Because the people of France and
England recognized his temporal power.
asa catholic, an American, l admire all that is
aiVlhe IN the Roman Catholic Church. l look upon
IL as indispensable for the unity of a church. that
mat church should have a head, let that head reside
where II will therefore unhesitatingly recognize
tne rope OF Rome as the spiritual head oftbe Roman
Catholic Church, as the legal representative of 81
refer upon earth-as such I pay due respect to nil
pfomulgations issued by him having reference in
r -l--1 w I
OF church concern. While I bow to his rio.
crees IN matters of spiritual concern l would scorn to
pay obedience to any ordinance from this official
oeafiHs u polltical tenor. None more than Ameri.
can Catholics deprecate the Union of Church and
os''e' the temporal power of the Pope is an evil,
"nicn ume alone can eradicate. 1t is an eyi, for
winch the churchis not to blame the doctrines Of tbo
Catholic Church are sublime and magniacept-Amer
lean Catholics recognize no temporal authority nc
superior to the Constitution of the United States
1hey would stand by, in defense of their country,.
nag against an army of cardinals headed Inv tho
Pope of Rome '"e
Are Americans to be blamed for guarding oo,;nst
the Union of Church and State? History tells is #
IS ,he only safe guard to our political existence
Did Northern Protestants understand the Catholic
heilglon as professed by American Catholics. tbov
would know, that we owe no temporal allegiance
70 inc Pope. We therefore excuse a preindice
winch originates in ignorance, and aim to remove II
mat a few fanatics should aim to exclude Catholic
rom office, is probable but not possible, the mass
the American people is too enlightened to ohoy
such preJndlces. The object of the sth article If w.
Philadelphia platform is not TO exclude amer;con