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

belonged to this, or that, or the other church.
Mr.. COX. My colleague agrees with me in my
position He says he win not vote for any man
whose political opinions and feelings, in bis opn
ion are inimcal 10 the institutions Of the country
If am TO receive that as an answer to my ques
ton, my colleague means TO say that persons hold
ing the doctrine of the supremacy of the Pope, as
described by me, do hold opinions inimical TO the
institutions of the country, and that he would
never vote for such persons In this he agrees
with me ; and the only question 10 decide is
whether the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope
svow the doctrine, and whether its members ad.
init and believe it,.
| NY colleague from the Danyille district Mr..
TALBorr1 is affected with the same partisan feel
| ings which illustrate the whole history OF Demo
cratic opposition to the American party, and I'M
der the influence Of such feelings strikes desperate
blows at the imaginary doctrines of that parry
He thought that at the first opportunity, this re-
| ligious plank OF the Know Nothing platform, pro-
scribing men for their religious opinions, would
display itself, and he would rather have his arm
| torn from his body and his tongue plucked out
than make distinction against any citizen because
he belonged to this, that, or the other church
Now this language conveys the nsinuation that
some men or party do prescribe men for their re-
lgious opinions and make distinctions because
they belong TO particular church. What party
is itS have nailed the charge Of prescription
unfounded allegation, and l challenge any fair
minded man to show from the declared principles
of the American party, by any reasonable construc
ton, that there is any justice in this loose and
wholesale denunciation.
No, sir, the only difference between my colleague
and myself is that declare in advance, will not
cast my vote for any person holding certain opin-
ions. My colleague says am wrong, because, he
says, nobody entertains the opinions which con-
denim. Very well, if that be true convince me by
reason, by exhibit of the tenets and history of
the party supposed to hold these opinions, that
am Mistaken AM ] viii withdraw my resolution.
But suppose | am right-how thenS Why my
colleague says he would act exactly as / have de-
clared my intention to act. Away then with your
charge of prescription, of depriving men of con-
stitutiona rights, of conspiracy, and all that long
list of charges founded alone on the impetuosity of
party malevolence, and proclaimed in the unguard-
ed and inconsderate moments of passionate de-
bate. love my country, Mr.. Chairman, as much
as my colleague or any member of his party, and
in the hour of trial would be as ready, / do not
pretend to say So to defend it and all its in
stitutions from invasion from without and dangers
within. | would rally, sir, to the standard of my
country and stand as firmly for the constitutional
and legal rights of adopted citizens and resident
Roman Catholics as would for the rights of the |
Iative born and the Protestant. | would not de- |
prive them of any right guaranteed to them by the
Constitution and the laws, and he who asserts to |
the contrary msunderstands me, and in his igno
rance of my true opinions and intentions does me
great injustice.
Mr.. LETCHER. There seems to be more Cath |
ocs in Kentucky than in any other State. Now
| desire to ask my friend from Kentucky Mr. Cox
whether he saw such a Catholic as he de-
scribes; and if So what is his name, and where
does he live !? Laughter. Is there such man
! have heard talk of such man, but have never
saw any such.
Mr.. COX. There arc but few Catholics in tie
district which represent. | am not acquainted
with their individual opinions. Ny opinions, as |
have stated before, are not based upon transient
conversations with members of that church. nor |
from any want OF personal respect and esteem for
many persons of my acquaintance who believe its |
doctrines, but from the history Of the church it.
SELF the DEGREES its councils, and the corrobo-
rating testimony of all Protestant writer's for two
hundred years. When my friend from Virginia
shall have examined this subject fully he will adj
nit that have correctly stated the doctrine of the
Catholic church.
Mr. JEWETT. In answer to the question OF my
colleague whether would vote for man for any
office who believes in the temporal power of the
Pope, wish to state, first, that know of no such
man in my State or district | will, however an. |
swer the question, in the language of another In
the reign of James the First, the twelve judges of
England were summoned before the king in coun-
Gil and inquired OF by the kings attorney general
touching the jurisdiction Of the court The Judges
were questioned thus:
:" In n case where the king believed his preroga-
tive or interest concerned and required the judges
to attend him for their advice ought they not to
stay proceedings till his majesty has consulted
then?"
All the judges except Coke answered, eyes |
yes yes" ! ....
When the case happens, shall do that which
BELTS for judge to do. This is my answer to
your question. "
Mr.. COX. Ipresume my colleague would de-
eide as Lord Coke did, / know he is very capable |
OF doing it, and his decision hope would be against
the Pope--so, no doubt, my Lord Coke would have
decided, for he was most excellent Protestant.
Mr.. Chairman: / came here tonight to pay my |
personal respects to my colleague in very differ |
ent way intended to give my attention to him,
and listen to what knew would be sensible and |
respectful speech have been led from my pur
pose, and without note of preparation have re-
sponded to the principal allegations against the
party with which cooperate, and / now leave
that subject for the decision of our fellow
There is one other subject to which my colleague
called the attention of the Committee upon which |
| will avail myself of this occasion to make some
observations. That is the approaching presiden- |
tial election. | agree with my colleague in at
taching to the result of this election the most mo-
mentous consequences, and feel that it is the duty
OF every citizen to awaken every sentiment of pa
triotism in dischargng the responsibility of choos-
ing men TO fill the highest Offices under the Con.
stitution. The inhamed condition of sectional an
imosity, the universal agitation of exciting polit
cal questions, and the bloody strife in one Of the |
national territories, all conspire to threaten the |
perpetuty of this glorious union of States and to
extnguish forever the hopes of freedom My col. |
league says the great question which presents IL
self to the people of the South in this crisis is
whether they shall be united or divided in their
choice. The union Of the South he thinks indis-