American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-09-15
PARTY PREJUDgcc.

In conversation with an old and in
tclligcnt friend from the country the
other day, upon the principles involved
in the controversy between the Amcri-
can and anti-Amcrican parties, he re-
marked with much truth and force:
"a few years ago wondered how
it could be that men of intelligence,
rearcdup in all the refinement and light
of this enlightened land could be duped
to believe in Mormonism, and to follow
after its prophets; but since the lead
ers of the old Democratic party have
eSpouscd the cause Of Roman Catholic
lsm, and become it's defenders in this
free land with a knowledge of its his
tory in all ages and countries, and the
members Of that party go wiA them,
am not surprised that people should be-
come MoRMoNs, or embrace any heresy
religious or political, however errone-
Gus! Alas! Democracy is not now
Shat it was in the days Of Jefferson
and Jackson -
And he spoke truly. Five years
nave not elapsed, since Protcstants of
1very division of opinion upon other
oaatters, were united in opposition to
rhc civil and ecclesiastical dogmas of
2omanism. Our Protestant pulpits
we're not considered, by any portion of
our people, desccratcd by politics when
our Mis: sters opposed the doctrines of
Homanlsm in their sermons. The Pope
md Popery received the criticisms and
denunciations Of the Protestant pulpit;
he rack, the dungeon and the stake,
erected by Romish hate to torture her
etics, were exposed in the light of his
tory to Protestant scrutiny; the clois-
Ter and the nunncry, whore woman is
consigned to scclusion irnpcnctrablc cx-
ccpt to bearded Monks and livcried
Priests, could be held up to the distastc
of those who live in an age and land
in which the fountains of knowledge are
mscaled; the ecclesiastical dominion
Of the Pope, and his right to rule in the
State could be prescribed and denied;
and Protestant Americans would listen
and believe! But, alas, how changed
the times and the people! What was
orthodox Professionalism five years ago
will not suit the Swans of this day who
now fraternally embrace, and laud, and
glorify, what hitherto their iycs-long
they have opposed! Popery is the
same to-day it ever was, and u bull
the immaculate conception to boot
the rack is as insatate for hereto blood
now as ever, minus only the poaOer to
use 1t here; the nunnery is as dark as
ever, for the sun that lights our fair
land cannot penetrate its rccesscs :;
the POPE is as jealous Of his dominion
and right to rule as ever he was in any
age! Then why the change--why so
sudden a revulsion of sentiment and
opinion among SO large a class of our
Dcople?
Let us be honest with ourselves
1t is because of political prejudice.
We think more Of the name "Demo-
craft" than we do of shielding our in
3titutions from the influence and ten
loncies Of Romanism! We allow our
ulers to trade Office and spoils to the
lherents Of the Pope Of Rome, and
ten we sustain them in it, because
tiey are "DemocratsP and for no 9TH
cr reason that can be assigned! We
oppose the American party in it's efforts
10 curb the spirit Of Foreignism and
Bomanism as developing themselves in
groater strenth every year, because it
is " Dcmocratic," and because those
who oppose the American party and
hoo.'ican principles call themselves
" f'omocrats." Much as we may dis
Ike nc application Of this truth, it is
80 ua pablo that it cannot be avoided,
aD1 we commend it to the conscience Of
auy nan be he Wing or Democrat
indeed, We are reminded here of an cx-