The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-05-11
Bold Ground
Orestes A. Brownson. n somewhat noted

Orestes A. Brownson, a somewhat noted
Roman Catholic writer, recently lectused at
New Orleans. The Creole reports him as
follows on the destiny Of the Roman Church;
at must become the arbiter between the
State and the subject. II must guard the
man by interposing its AamiDg sword az de-
Tense. 1t must construe constitutions and err
pound laps, deciding where is the limit Of
centralized power, and what is its absolute
duty to perform"
We can scarcely believe that the mission,
objects and designs of the Catholic Church
are correctly represented in the above bold
declaration. But, as Mr.. Brownson is an
acknowledged orthodox leader of the Roman
Church, in this country, and the peer Of
I John Hughes in intellect and theological
education, we cannot doubt the authority.
The Rev. o. A. Brownson, has been for
several years past traversing the Southern
and Western States, lecturing and expound-
ing the Papal creed, the mission and destiny
of the Roman Church, &C., and has, of
course. been acting under the sanction of
Pope Pius's Vicegerent in the United States,
I John Hughes. We do not propose to stop
to argue the question as to the propriety Of
the Roman Catholic Church, or any other
Church, usurPing the power,right and duty to
"construe constitutions and erpound laics."
"nor to decide where 10 the limit of central
lied power, and what is the absolute duty of
the Church to perform.
Such an assumption on the part Of any re-
ligious body. is too simple and absurd to be
regarded with the least degree of alarm by
any American, or to be hailed with marked
appreciation by the votaries and subjects of
any religious organization, creed or church,
that avows such dogmas.
Mr.. Brownson ,as the oracle of the Catholic
Church, and as we are fully authorized to in.
fer, acting under the auspices and sanction OF
iJohn Huges, has devoted several years to the
propagation of Catholicism in the South and
West, during which time he has not unfre-
quently exhibited the "Drsgon's teeth" of
his doctrine, through the glossary Of his sp,ly
chosen rhetoric. His Reverence, il appears,
no longer desires to garble his sentiments
but rather spurns concealment and duplic.
ity. The world now has the political
programme Of his mission, as well az the
mission and destiny of the Church he repre-.
SCENTS, officially before it, in plain, unvar.
nished English. The bold candor of Mr..
Brownson, would indicate the most sincere
attachment TO the belief, that the Catholic
Church 10 the proper agent in the hands Of
Pope Plus and fJohn Hughes. "to eonstrus
American constitutions and erponnd Ameri.
can latcs." That the Catholic Church does
exercise this prerogative in several despotit
governments in the neighborhood of the
seat of its centralized power" 10 an unques
tionable part of its history-and dou btlest
its Bulls, fresh from the mint, are execute,
in those governments in the full purity O
their intention. The mission OF Mr.. Brown
son, is no doubt, to reclaim the degeneraie
Church in the United States, and restore 4
II the Most Holy mission and destiny, Q
which heretical Professionalism and Ameri
can Republcauism have robbed it. Cal
any other rational deduction be drawn from
this bold avowal OF Mr.. Brownson, and hi
industrious pilgrimage in spreading the doc
trine of his Church through the land? If tn
Mother Church of Rome, under the direc
dictation Of its holy Head, the Pope, fror
whom all piety emanates, is the pure model
and ITobp aud NJ Qrownsor ara H. A.,
and worthy apostles Of the Pope sent here I
do his will-then their ambition to rende
their Pastoral field worthy of its immacr
late Head, in political as well as in spiritua
affairs, is not strange, but only illustrate
their fidelity end subserviency to their mas
ter. The true mission Of the Catholi
Church, proven by its own history, and su.
tanned BY the avowals of its authorize
agents in the United States,is, to constrne GU
constitutions and e.rpound our lars, and lin
IL the centralized po,cer Of our government.
Modest assumptions! Will protestan
Americans dare to resist the Catholic churc
in the exercise of that prerogative which d.
clares that sit must become the arbiter b
tween the State and its subject! SHOW ca
they! Surely the Pope is able to pardo
sins and cast out Devils, then why dspu
his supreme capacity to "become the arbit,
between the State and the subject; to col
strue constitutions and expound laws and
limit the power Of our government"
AN OLD Posi- MAsrER.-The Baltimo