Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-30
FOR THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
The Oath of Allegiance.

During the recent discussions about the newly
formed " American party" the question has fire.
quently occurred to me, Is the oath of allegiance
literally interpreted When an alien presents him
self to the proper authorities and declares open
court that tits, bona tide, his intention, TO become
a citizen of the United States of -America, and to
renounce and ALLURE all allegiance and fidelity to
every prince, potentak, State, sovereignty ohat
soeper !" or when, after the expiration of the five
years of probation, he solemnly swears that he
"tciH support the Consultation of the United
States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely
rcnounce and a6jure all allegiance and fidelity to
erery prince, potentate, State, sovereignty ohat
ever," does he, or does he not "renounce and alb
jure all allegiance" to the Pope! Who is the
Pope? He is the head of the Romish Church
He is ruler, a potentate possessing and exerci-
sing political and governmental powers. The
Church calls him the Sovereign Pontif Is he
not the recognised ruler of the Papal Statess
To whom do the ambassadors from other coun-
tries present their credentass Does he not appoint
his ministers TO represent him at other govern
mentsf Who sent Bedini hefef Was he merely
upon pleasure tour II is well known he came
here as the agent or representative of the Pope,
and was presented to and received by the President
as such. If the Sovereign Pontif exercises these
political powers, he must necessarily be temporal
Prince or Potentate. Then, 1t is clear, that when
ever any foreign Catholic swears allegiance to this
country, he renounces and abjures the Sovereign
Pontiff Does the Catholic Church admit this
They undoubtedly admit II applies to him as polit
ical ruler but they claim that the spiritual head
Of the Church, he remains their Sovereign Pontiif
The oath Of allegiance makes no exceptions. The
language Is plain and explicit, "hat he doth ALSO
iutely and entirely renounce and aeve all ale
glance and fidelity TO every foreign Prince, Poten-
tate, State, sovereignty whatever" and particu-
iarly to the one to whom he was before subject
This is the exact language of the oath. Can man
"renounee and ALLURE" absolutely, without any
reservation, "aH allegiance and fidelity" to every
Prince, Potentate, State, or sovereignty, and yet
claim the Pope as his sovereign PontiffS
If he be neither "prinee nor potentate, he is
sovereign either spiritual or political or both, yet
the oath requires the man to renounce and abjure
absolutely every sovereignty. 1t is plain read it.
SO much for the foreignbom Roman Catholic.
The native-born Roman Catholics, who are not
required to take any oath Of allegiance recognise
the sovereign Pontif as the spiritual head of the
Church. This Is not deniable. They acknowledge
no political power, yet they submit to him in all he
does, and obey all his inunctions and execute all
his orders. What more could he want' 1t re-
mains for us now to inquire whether the Pope, in
the exercise Of his powers as the head of the
Church, does not blend nseparably the spiritual or
religious power with his political functions, powers
and privileges He administers his power and du-
ties, whether spiritual or political through agents
appointed by himself and his Church. Are not all
these agents representatives, priests or ministers
Of the church of which he Is the head? and are
they not solemnly sworn to obey and execute all
his ordersS to protect defend, and propagate his
power, and the church, 1t Is admitted by ALL
Was not Bedn cardinslf Did he not exercise
even in thiss country, the duties of minister of
the Romish church, And was he not the ambas-
sador Of the Pope at Brazil, previous to his depar
ture for this country
1t is the union Of political and spiritual power
in one Office, held by one man, which constitutes
the sovereignty of the Pope. In all his appoint
ments Of ambassadors, the religious test Is applied
NO other but priests anu caruinas are competent
to represent him, either politically or spiritually.
The political power cannot be exercised independ-
emily of the spiritual; for it is his political power
which constitutes him the spiritual head of the
,hurch, and il spiritual power claimed for him
BY bis subjects, which constitutes him the SUI
,reme dictator of all church matters, and abso.
ute ruler over both body and mind.
with these indisputable facts staring US full in
he face, Is it surprising that Americans should
ally around the flag Of their country, and purge
through the ballot box, the government Of all
,ficers or hirengs, whether aliens or natives, who
acknowledge allegiance 70 such potentate or
overeign. !APEz