The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-10-28


Of the most disgraeeful attacks have been made
upon Colonel Fremont, in relation to a matter
which should not enter into the canvass, namely
his religious belief. These personal attacks have
originated at the North, where the opponents OF
Colonel Fremont found that the broad constitu-
tional ground upon which he stood was not to be
contested by fair and square argument upon the
questions at issue. His position was perfect
Malakof. and resisted all the ordinary weapons
used in political warfare. 1t was necessary, then,
20 use extraordinary means to prejudice the pub
lie mind against him; therefore his personal his
tory antecedents and religion were assailed with
degree Of indecent malignity hitherto unprece-
dented in any Presidential contest since the for
nation of the republic.
OF late the calumniators Of Colonel Fremont
have settled themselves TO a tremendous on
slaught upon his character as Q Christian and the
particular church with which he is said 10
have held communion He has been
repeatedly charged by the lowest mean
est dirtiest Of the Fillmore organs with
being q devout adhe1en to the canons sacraments
tenets and form of worship of the Roman Catho
lie Church To give additional weight 10 this
charge, most extraordinary combination has
been formed between the conductors of the Fill
more organ, who affect to BE- pure Protestants,
and the ostensible editor Of the organ of the
Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, with
the hierarch himself at the back to cheer on his
dog, at the same time affecting to disapproye Of
his conduct. The fabrications Of these men have
been utterly disproved time and again No
sooner have their lies gained currency than they
have been branded az impudent falsehoods by
the friends of Colonel Fremont. The people are
fully informed to the facts of the matter under
such circumstances, ordinary liars would seek
to hide their shame from the world.
Not so with those liars of the first magnitude
who lead the crusade against Fremont. They
DOW demand that be shall personally appear be-
fore the people and reply to their imper-
tinent questions setatim-that he shall
say whether or not be ever read the
Lives Of the Saints, and whether he believes
them; or whether he ever attended
Roman Catholic church in California, or had in
cense burned when he was III, or carved cross
III n mountain pass, or was married by Catho-
lie priest, or received absolution; and further
whether or not he believes in the seven sacra-
ments, the seven capital sins the true cross the
holy coat OF Treves. the winkiDg Madonna, cleo
zion, transubsantiatioD. the real presence, ALSO
luton. auricular confession and the immaculate
conception, all matters Of some interest in the
religious world. but having no more to do with
this Presidential contest team we with the local
politics Of Timbuctoo.
Yet all this is demanded by portion Of the
olowers Of Mr. Fillmore, combined and most
copartncrship il is-with the editor
of the Ffemau Journal backed by the highest
dignitary OF the Roman Catholic Church in this
part Of The country. The Fillmore organ pub.
fishes the lies: the Archhishops tool writes let
tiers all over the country endorsing them, while
the Archbishop himself writes a note mildly dis
approving Of his agents course, which
note is carefully buried in one corner OF
sleepy Wall street blanket, while the original
charge is disseminated on the wings of the press
in al parts OF the country where it viii be liable
to have the slightest influence. Perhaps we have
no right to expect anything better than this from
the Know Nothing organ; but il is the bounden
duty of the Archbishop to restrain the indecency
Of his man OF al work, and 10 preserve the epis-
copal robes pure even from q suspicion OF the
faint Of iasehood.
NOW. what has Colonel Fremont been doing
willie this savage personal assault has been con-
aff
has preserved a d.guiGcd silence. coulding in the
justice Of his cause and the sound common sense
Of the jury-ihe American peoplc--to which i
committed the final decision Of the case. All the
true friends 81 Fremont and the great principles
which he represents must rejoice at the contrast
which i presented between the manly attitude OF
their candidate and the sneakine, ioraou~ wind
ings and cravings Of his opponents. lie Ia
occupied the proper position and avoided the
tap laid for him. lie stands upon the broad
platform laid down iii bis letter accepting the
nomination Of the Philadelphia Convention.
Therein he pledged himself to maintain and sup
port constitutional freedom; ard that i the only
pledge that the people require from him. That
pledge covers the whole ground upon that h.
viii stand or fall.
The movement that j. nov being made to force
Colonel Fremont into tnis religious controversy
i not a new one in political history. although Il
takes new form. by Tie same tactics Henry
Clay. Martin Van Buren, and General Scott were
slaughtered; and with these distinguished exam.
pics before ne. We cannot but applaud the wisdom
which la. dictated the course Of Colonel Fremont
We trust that during the few days which are yei
to intervene before the great contest viii b. set
tied at the polls, the same dgniaed, noble posi-
sition viii b. maintained and that Colonel Ere
mont vii. on no prctcnce, suffer himself to be
brought personally before the people, and thus
lall into sne trap - cunningly ADD impudently
devised Tor lin.
And again, We would warn the people against
The Vaccinations Il the contemplate political
mountebanks, Who. to serve their vile purposes
Al. -.