Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-10

The appearance Of the book bearing the
above title could not have been more oPpor-
tune. For just in the opening of PEesiden-
tial campaign that promises to be conducted
with SO much spirit, it is not unnatural that
there should be general feeling manifested to
read whatever promises to throw light upon
the principles involved. 1t is true the news
paper press is the usual source looked to at
such times for political information; yet there
are questions involved in the present canvass
that make work like the one under consd-
GRAFTON almost indispensable. We allude to
the religious features of this controversy.
And certainly it could not be more ably or
fairly treated than it is here. The author be-
ing not only a ripe scholar, but we'll read in
Biblical aud religious history, has been enabled
to lay before the reader store of information
in regard to foreign and Catholic influence,
cannot fail TO convince the most obtuse of the
business of the position occupied by the Amer
lean party on these questions. The book is
free from all yerbiage, slang, or false assump-
tons; the author relying solely upon facts to
sustain himself in the positions he assn mes.
And certainly in this respect he has been par
ticularly felcitous. But, to illustrate, we will
quote from the work: "The Anti-American
speakers assert and re-assert: That the Church
of Rome does not teach the doctrine of break
ing up osths on account of heresy, or on ac-
count of expediency amongst her own people"
Pope Urban the Second, 1890, decreed Sub
jects are bound by no authority to observe the
fealty which they swear to a Christian prince,
who withstands God and the Saints, and con-
demns their precepts." Pope Innocent the
Third, 1916: "Freed all that were bound to
those who had fallen into heresy, from all
fealty, homage and obedience"
After these follow the names Of Pope Homo
riats the Third, Pope Gregory the Ninth, Pope
Clement the Fifth, Pope Urban the Sixth, Pope
Uginius the Fourth, Pope Paul the Third, Pope
Plus the Fourth, Pope Paul the Fourth, Pope
Paul the Fifth, and Pope Innocent the Tenth,
all exercising The same prerogative.
Says the last of these: "Civil contracts, pro-
misses, or Oaths of Catholics with heretios may
be dissolved by the Pontiff."
Then follows dozen or more instances in
which Councils have annulled oaths. as: The
General Council of Lyons absolved the En-
peror Frederick's vassals from their oath of
fealty, saying "All those who are bound to
him by an oath of fealty being absolved forev
err from any oath of this character"
But the Anti-Ameriosns say, "The Romish
ages" "Let us see" says the author of the
Cis-Atlantic Battle
Here be Introduces the evidence of Mr. Brown
son, an approved expounder of Romanism in
the United States. 1t is as follows: "What the
Church has done, what she has expressly or
tactly approved in the past, that is exactly
what she will do, expressly or tacitly approve
in the future, if the same circumstances occur.
This may be difficulty, and embarrassing, but
10 WiU not do to shrink from it,"
Again: Mr.. Brownson says: Quoting from
Josepho Guevera, an approved Romish writer,)
"The Catholic dogma in regard to every sub
ject whatsoever, has been always the same
from the beginning, remains always unchaDge-
ably the same, and will always continue in
in every part of the world immutable."
We have given but moiety of the evidence
introduced in the Cis-Atlantic Battle, to show
that the Pope has the power to release Catho
lies from their oaths and obligations made with
heretics, yet we think this little sufficient to
convince all reasonable men that the power
exists. And if it really does, what security
can Catholic give of his allegiance to this
government None.
We shall continue to quote from this work
occasionally, but, in the mean time, we would
recommend all who can conveniently do SO, TO
procure copy.
We quote the closing paragraph of Mr..
Ohapman's preface :-"But why such alarm
concerning Roman Catholics2 Not that we
fear their numerical strength, but their influ-
ence over time-serving and interested polti'
clans. By this, in various ways, they have
subverted the rights of the people from gen.
Grafton to generation, causing even rulers to
walk at their heels like 80 many spaniels at
the heels of their masters. Such is POpery in
fact, teaching and history !"
The author in this paragraph, has briefly
presented the true source of fear from Roman
Catholic influence. No man can read this
work, or in fact, any impartial history of the
Romish Church, its doings and its doctrines
without solemn impression that it is prudent
to be apprehensive of her arts. There is nc
likelihood that majority, or any formidable
proportion of the American public will, il
this enlightened day, become indoctrinated
with her precepts. 1t is almost absurd to sup
pose such an event. And, as Mr.. Chapman
correctly says, it is not this which has alarmed
the American people, though the sophistica
demagogues of the Democratic party thus
state the American position, and argue its alb
surdity and ridicule it as a silly story, 6
winter nights tale told by graudam."
This is not the issue presented by the Amer
lean party, and these gentlemen well know il
II is the fast accommodating power of the Ro-
mish priesthood, in their influence on the po'
litical movements of the day that is to bt
feared, and which they desire to curtsil. Bnt
glance at the doctrines Of the Ronish reli'
gion, and the merest cursory review OF IL
history, shows that its government is com
bination of the ecclesiastical and the civil, anC
It's two grand aims in the spread of its faith
is the acquisition of spiritual and Temporal
power. To accomplish these ends, its system
is perfect The wit of man could noe deyis'
means better suited to an end So aptly con