Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-10

making war on the Catholic religion, and proscH-
bing Catholics. This would call grave charge
indeed II true for il accuses us of a violation OF
the letter and Of the spirit of the Constitution
we who have sworn to save and protect that Con-
stitution, which is our main object. We would be
singularly blinded, II, when we teach reverence
for that Holy instrument Of our political faith, we
should fail 10 see that directly violated it in
most essential point.
The administration and office holders cry out
Justify for Freedom of conscience" We are
struck with the warmth of this newborn zeal for
Roman Catholics. Yet, we are at no loss for the
motive. The office holders employees of the ad-
ministration, have found out that the Catholics are
the most numerous religious denomination of the
Union that arriving foreigners are principally OF
that faith, that their vote will be very powerful,
and that Bishop Hughes, as their good friend, can
control II for them. But this zeal contrasts strange
ly with the fact that their iavorite State OF New
Hampshire has been honored by the selection Of
President Pierce from IL for the highest honor. If
he ever swore TO support the Constitution OF that
State which, of course he did, he swore to ex-
clude the Roman Catholics from office, as that Con-
stitution prohibits them from holding any office in
New Hampshire, and II is probably the only State
in the Union which does. Still il is cheering to US,
to see the guarantees given by them, of the warm
support Of the principle of Liberty Of con-
science" Well done, we say All we ask ofyou,
gentlemen il, that you will adhere to your present
professions and not desert this principle, if times
should change, and it should no longer suit your
purpose. We thank you for your aid to support
that doctrine; for it is great constitutional right
you are right, for once, in maintaining the Con-
stitution. You will find it very difficult to con-
vince us however, that we differ with you on that
point. We love that instrument too well to vio-
late it. Prove to US, If you please, that we do
prosecute that or any other religious faith.
1t is high time that the members of this Order
in Alabama should be once for all indicated on
that point 10y proof con, lusve. They have listened
to abuse in regard to this long enough without
reply. will demonstrate the falsity of the charge
as to them, by demonstration SO clear as to admit
of no debate controversy, and it is necessary
that the whole subject be understood.
We will inform you that our organization is po.
litica only and that we entertain no question of
| religion or religious faith.
We will further inform you that we will inter
fere to protect our political institutions from all
injury from any and every quarter, and all foreign
influences which shall attempt to interfere with
them, Of either a civil or religious character.
They must be preserved pure and uncontamnated
as they are. We will not allow religious sects OF
any denomination to control them, to advance their
particular purposes, nor any one to obtain the as
tendency over the other, by political means These
are our purposes. We think they are what the
constitution requires, and are, we think, according
to the true spirit of American principles
In relation to the Church of Rome, we can easily
understand each other. We will respect the faith
of every man. and protect him in the exercise of il
freely, as his conscience shall direct him, let his
faith be Catholic any other. But the recogni-
ton practically OF the temporal powers claimed by
the head of that church at Rome, as hierarch, or
rather the assertion of such rights, bein para
mount to the power of our sovereignty, we will
resist, most assuredly.
The Papal See has always claimed power, by di
vine right, of supreme control, temporal, as well
as spiritual over all the nations of the earth over
princes, rulers aud people. 1t claims power tc
excommunicate and depose all sovereigns demands
obedience of all, claims the right to punish all
| heresy, to grant indulgences, and to absolve the
people from all allegiance to their sovereign when
deemed necessary for the protection or advance
ment of the faith (See Brownson's Review, 1858,
vol. ~
This claim of power being given, as it is said
by divine right and for divine objects, it never
can be relinquished by man. and must conse
quenty, forever exist 1t is true, that Of late, il
has not been much exercised, because not suffered
to be asserted. II has always been resisted by all
people and Princes whenever they have been
! strong enough to do 80; and whenever they have
\ not Deen cuibpercu 10 use rIo power of the Pope
for their own benefit. Its exercise does not de-
pend, then, on the willingness Of the Pope and his
adherents to abstain from its use but on the de-
termination and power of the sovereigns and the
people 20 prevent II.
1t must be selfevident to every one that no
American citizen can recognise this allegiance as
binding on linn. If he does, and admits this su.
| premacy, and that there is a higher human law,
paramount to his oath TO support the constitution
Of his country and the laws made under it, he is
in effect in a condition which might compel him
to disregard or violate that constitution and those
laws, and is not in condition to perform the du
ties of an American citizen. Therefore it is, that
while we have no right to ask Of any citizen what
is his religious fifth, that is question alone
between himself and his God, We certainly have
the right, before we will confer on him an Office
under the constitution, which he swears to sup
port, to ask II he recognises any higher authority
which he would consider paramount TO that obi
cation, and whether or not he recognises the gu
premacy of a foreign power, Prince, or Prelate !;
because that would affect our body polite IL he
answers that he does, he cannot be ntrusted with
the Office, nor can he be member Of this order
The Roman Catholics Of the orthodox school, Of
the ultra-montane party, maintain and proclaim
this divine right and supremacy, and insist its
enforcement in this country. Mr.. Brownson and
other writer's strongly advocate il. The claim to
ingraft this principle in our polite Il body, and
the attempt TO enforce II practically in any case,
never can be tolerated in this free country.
There have been controversies between Catho-
lies that subject in all countres hence the doc
trnes Of the Gallican church, by which these large
powers Of the Pope are denied. To these we may
probably add new class, the American Catholics,
who have no sovereign but Themselves and have
supreme human law, which is their constitution
and are reared and educated with the freedom Of
the press, and republican institutions. These re-
cognise no such power, no supremacy higher on
earth, than their own government and no duty of
obedience TO any foreign power, civil spiritual
They considered the Pope, as head Of the Church,
merely as spiritual adviser, without any authority
over them, and believe they are the keepers Of
their own conscience. From these, we apprchend
no danger TO institutions. They can stand with
all their fellowcitzens, side by side The Hon. Gar
rett Davis, in his able speech delivered before the
convention to remodel the constitution Of Ken.
lucky, very clearly pointed out the dangers Of the
political church OF Rome TO our institutions, but
showed at the same time, the position Of the Anne.
rican Catholic. ] viii quote his words. lie says:
/" But Romanism in America practically at
least is greatly modified by the general intelli.
gence, spirit Of inquiry and religious liberty and
the privileges Of the whole people. In the purity
Of morals exemption from superstition and bigot.
.