The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-07-13

Let those who cherish "a lingering hop"
that American Nationality will ultimately fall
of its glorious mission, in Massachusetts or
elsewhere, sput that in their pipes and smoke
it."
Letter from John Wesley on Roman Catholic Politics
Hon. a. B. LoNGsTREET, President OF the
Mississippi University, having in late pub
lished letter rebuked the members OF the
Methodist Church for joining the American
party, and tainted them with furnishing the
name of their great leader, the venerated IVES
LEY, a correspondent of the Memphis Enquirer
answers him by letting Mr.. Wesley speak for
himself in the subioined letter. This letter
was written by Mr.. WESLEY to the editor of
the Freemdns Journal, Dublin, and originated
in controversy which sprung up upon the
English federation Act, and may be found in
Wesley's Miscellaneous Works, on page SIT,
vol. D. His argument comes fully up to, if it
does not go beyond, the article in the Ameri-
can platform on this head "a resistance to
the aggressive policy and corrupting tendencies
of the Roman Catholic church in our country,
By tie advancement to all political stations.
erecutjCe, legislative, judicial or diplomatic of
those only who do not hold civil allegiance, d.
rectly or indirectly to any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are an
American by birth education and training. -
III the language of the author, "let him
answer it who can" Here is the letter:
Sir-SOme time ago pamphlet was sent me en-.
titled San Appeal from the Protestant Association
to the People of Great Britain" A day or two
since kind of answer to this put into my hand
which pronounces its style contemplate its reason.
ing futile, and its object malicious. On the con-
trary, think the style of it clear easy and natu-
rail- the reasoning, in general strong and conclusive
the object or design, kind and benevolent Andin
pursuance of the same kind and benevolent design,
namely, to preserve our happy constitution, shall
endeavor to confirm the substance of that tract by
few plain arguments. With persecution | have
nothing to do. persecute no man for his religious
principles. Let there be as t'boundless freedom
in religion" as any man can conceive. But this
does not touch the point l will set religion, true
or false, utterly out of the question Suppose the
Bible, if you please, to be fable and the Koran to
be the word of God. | consider not, whether the
Romish religion be true false, build nothing on
one or the other suppOsitiOn Therefore away with
all your common place defamation about ntole-
rance, and persecution for religion. Suppose every
word of Pope Pus's creed to be true. Suppose the
Council of Trent TO have been i0allble; vet insist
upon it, that government not Roman Catholic,
ought to tolerate men Of the Roman Catholic per-
sudson.
prove this by plain argument (let him answer
it that can: That no Roman Catholic does or can,
give security for his allegiance or peaceable beha-
vior. l prove it thus-It is a Roman Catholic
maxim, established, not by private men, but by
public council, that 'Ro faith is 10 be kept Nth
hereticS." This has been openly avowed by the
Council of Constance; but it never was openly dis
claimed. Whether private persons disa-
VOW it, it is fixed maxim of the Church of Rome.
But as long as it is so, nothing be more plain
than that the members of that church can give 10
reasonable security to any government of their allie
glance peaceable behavior Therefore, they
ought not to be tolerated by any government, Pro-
testant, Mohammedan, or Pagan. You say, may,
but they will take oath of allegiance" True
five hundred Oaths but the maxim, mo faith with
heretics," sweeps them all away spiders web
So that still, no Governors that not Roman Cath
olics can have any security of their allegiance
Again, Ithose who acknowledge the spiritual power
of the Pope can give no security of their allegiance
to a.y government; but all Roman Catholics &C
knowledge this; therefore, they can give no secu-
rity for their allegiance. The power of granting
pardons for all sins-past present and to cOme-is
and has been for many centuries one branch of his
spiritual power But those who acknowledge him
to have this spiritual power give no security
lot Lnelf eluCe DelleNe the rope
can pardon rebellion, high treason and all other
sins whatsoever. The power of dispensing with
any promise, oath vow, is another branch of the
spiritual power Of the Pope, and all who acknow-
I edge his spiritual power must acknowledge this
But whoever acknowledges the dispensing power
of the Pope, can give security for his allegiance
to any government Oaths and promises are,none;
they are light as air-dspensation makes them all
,uaL and void Nay, not only the Pope but even
priest, has power to pardon sins! This is an es
sential doctrine Of the Church of Rome. But they
that acknowledge this cannot possibly give any
security for their allegiance to any government
Oaths security at ALL for the priest can par
don both perjury and high treason Setting their
religion aside it is plain that upon principles of rea
son no government ought to tolerate who cannot
give any security TO that government for their ale
glance and peaceful behaviour. But this, no Ro.
manist can do, not only while he holds that mo
faith is to be kept with heretics but so long as
he acknowledges .etherI priestly absolution or the
spiritual power of the Pope.
If any one pleases to answer this, and set his
name, shall probably reply. But the productions
of anonymous writers dc not promise to take any
notice Of
am, sir your humble servant
JOHN WESLEY,
CRY ROAD, Jan. 81, 1850.