American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-07-21
WHO ARE T1fN DIaoTs?

WHO ARE TIfN DIdoTS?
We were cogitating q leader in rcfu-
tation of the charge Of 6iyotry as urged
against the American party, when our
eyes fell upon the following article in
the Baltimore Weekly Clipper, and we
copy it for its sound sense and truth
fulnoss, and because it is in consonancc
with our own views upon the subject:
"The members of the American par
ty arc charged with being bigots, by
men who do not understand what the
word signifies, or who wantonly pervert
its meaning. Why arc they called
bigots? Are they obstinatcly and
unrcasonably welded to a particular
religious creed, opinion, practice or rit-
ual?" On the contrary, they are in
favor of the largest liberty of opinion
on religious matters. They say that
the true principles of the Christian
faith arc to be found in the Bible; and
they would therefore, place that Book
in the hands Of every one, that each
may extract from it what he believes
to be the truth. But this course is
condemned by their opponents, who in
sist on particular rules of intcrprcta-
ton known only to the pricsts-and
founded as much on tradition as upon
the Bible. This we call bigotry--for it
permits no private .judgmont-no devil
alton from prescribed rules. In what
have tho members of the American
party exhibited their bigotry? They
. say to persons of all religious denomi-
nations, worshiR God after your own
fashion, and let us do the same. Is
that prescription Of Roman Catholics,
or persons Of other persuasions? No.
1t is the most perfect liberation. But,
say their opponents, you will not take
Roman Catholics into your confidence,
and place them in public Offices. That
IS, they presume to exercise the rights
OF frecmen in the selection of public
officers, and cast their votes for those
only whom they may think most worthy
to be trusted. As in religion, so in
politics, they leave every man to cxcr.
else his own Judgment; and ifthis .iudg,
ment should be against placing men in
authority who owe "allcgiancc to a
foreign potentato or power, civil or &C,
clcsiastical," it cxhibitsa commcndable
caution against giving any foreign
power a footing in our land. Tho
Americans are the least bigotcd people
in the world. They have been raised
and educated with the most liberia
principles in respect to religious differ
enccs---and, in comforting Office hereto
fore, have not Disseminated for or q
gainst any particular denomination
If different course is now about to BIZ
pursued, it must not be attributed to the
bigotry or intolerance Of the Amcri
cans---but to u systematic demonstra
ton against civil and religious rightt
which has been made by foreign ccclc
siastics, who either do not comprehend
or who wilfully disregard the principle.
Of our institutions and the feelings o
tho American people. Heretofore tho
sons of Catholics and Protcstants have
been educated at the same schools, ant
each have been taught mutual rcspoc
and forbearancc---but tho new system
sought to be introduced, would produce
an entire separation, and bcget mutua
jealousy and hostility. 1t is to proven
this design from being carried into ef
feet, and to check the progress Of big
otry and intolerance, chat the American
party has taken tho Ge]d--as also tc
place power where il ought to be, in tht
hands of the mattOeS Of tile country
The bigotry ond prescription are on thu
other side for it unfortunately hap
pens, that we have rulers who .punisl
as crime, attachment to the country
and reward, as merit, tho being borI
on foreign soil. Persons practisin;
upon this ubiquitous system, seek fo1
some apology for their anti-Amoricar
conduct, and they can find none bette,
than TO falsely charge bigotry upor
the American party. Power thus helG
cannot be long held; nor can The worlt
be made to believe, that, 10 resisting
thc attempted oncroachmcnts Of for
cion priesthood, the American people
are instigatcd by feelings Of bigotry.--
They will never burn human being al
the stake for worshipping God accord.
ino to tllc dictates Of his own conscience,
or sacrifice life for the offence Of read.
ING the word Of God. Nor will they
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