Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-16
From the New York IndepenIept

From the New York Independent
Shall man be q Catholic against his wiIl
Political heats are apt TO hatch out false
hoods as tropical heats do venomous insects.
But Christian men should be especially care
full that they do not countenance or propagate
such falsehoods.
At this time many newspapers recklessly
charge Col. Fremont with being Roman
Catholic. Though it has been authoritativey
contradcted, it still continues to be asserted,
and in very positive and impudent forms.
We have taken pains to inform ourselves in
this matter, and now state TO the Christian
public the simple truth, that good men, at
least, may cease TO bear false witness.
Col. Fremont was blessed with mother of
devoted piety. She was a member of the
Episcopal Church, st. Philips, Charleston,
S. c., and reared her son in her own faith.
Indeed until he was fourteen, Col. Fremont
was educated in the hope and expectation
that he would become an Episcopal minister.
At sixteen he was confirmed in the Episcopal
church, and has, ever since, when within reach
of the church, been an attendant and commu-
meant. And since his temporary soiourn in
New York, he has been an attendant at DR..
Anthon's church, until recently, and now he
worships at Grace Church. Mrs Fremon
was reared strictly in The Presbyterian Church
and united with the Episcopal Church upon
her marriage with Col. Fremont. Their chill
dren have been baptized in the Episcopal
Church. 1t is said that daughter has been
sent to Catholic institution for education.
=, l.
from home at all, but has been educated by
her own mother.
1t is well known that Mrs. Fremont is the
daughter ofCoI. Benton, and that, at the time,
her father was opposed to her marriage. Col.
Fremont personally solicited several Protes-
tant Clergymen to perform the marriage cere-
mony, but, on account Of Col. Benton's oppo-
sition to it, they were unwilling TO do it. 4
female friend, in this cxigency, said that she
could find clergyman who would aid with
out fear, and brought in a Catholic Clergyman,
who married them. Like true lover and
gallant man, Fremont said he did not care
5chO did it, that it done quick and
strong. Had we been in Col. Fremont's S place
we would have been married if 1t had required
us to walk through arrow of priests and bish-
ops as long as from Washington to Rome,
winding up with the Pope himself.
Is it not ludicrous to see class of citizen MS
so terribly frightened at the spread of Catholi-
csm, and dreading the evils of Papacy above
all things, seizing a quiet Protestant gentle
man, and insisting upon it that he shall be a
Catholic In vain he struggles and protests ::
Catholic he shall be whether he will or not
.sBut gentlemen do not believe in the doc
trines: | was reared ~ protorte"t 'a-'.he+
IN Protestant Church I have married a
Protestant wife my children have had Prot
cstant baptism we and they attend Protes-
tant worship, and we are, both by education
and conviction, Protestants. You must ex-
cuse us, but we cannot be Catholics.' The
eager gentlemen will not be baffied. s'You
shall be Catholics; you are Catholics we
will have you Catholics all that you say may
be true, in some mysterious manner; you arc
Catholics, and We will have it so! !" Poor
Col. Fremont. We do not see how he will
get over it! These terrible Protestants of the
Express are out with sword and pen, determin-
ed that he shall be 4 Catholic
HENRY WARD BEECHEE.