Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-20
CIEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 90, 1851
POLITICAL EFFECTS OF RoMANIsM.

POLITICAL EFFECTS OF ROMANISM.
of Free Institutions, and antagonistic to Civil
and Religious Freedom, no one who has read
history can doubt. That Professionalism is con-
genial to Liberty, and promotive of Free In
stitutions, is the lesson of History. Such be-
ing the case, the Political effects of Popery
have ever been bad, while those of Protestant
ism have been beneficial.
An argument in support of these facts may
be found in tire preface of an interpretation of
the Apocalypse of st. John, from the able pen
of the Rev. DR.. Geo. Croly. 1t is derived from
the history of England since the Reformation,
and shows that every reign which attempted
to bring back Popery, has been marked with
signal calamity; that almost every reign of
Popish tendency has been followed by one
purely Protestant, and that these alterations
contrast no more strongly in their religious as
poets than in their public fortunes.
We can, of course, but glimpse at the points
adduced by DIR. Crolyin support of his posi-
tion, but the reader of English history cannot
fail to recognize and admit the force of them.
Thus Professionalism was first thoroughly estab-
lished in England under Elizabeth. Mary had
left dlapidated kingdom the nation worn
out with disaster and debt; the national arms
disgraced; nothing in vigor but popery. E
liZabeth, s'the great queen of Professionalism, y
not only restored the Kingdom, but laid the
foundations of the future greatness Of the Brit
ish empire.
James inherited the principles, with the
Crown, of Elizabeth. In this reign the Gun
powder Plot, which to have set up Po-
pish government on the ruin of the nation,
special Providence averted the blow aimed al
the Ark of Professionalism.
Charles First assembled prosperous throne
Bnt he betrayed his trust, by forming Popisf
alliance, with the full knowledge that it estab
lished a popish dynasty. His first armament
was against the Huguenots. III fortune gath
cred round; distracted councils, popular feud:
and civil bloodshed succeeded.
The Protectorate pre-eminently showed the
vigor of the great renovating principle
Cromwel's was the sceptre of broken king
dom, but he welded it powerfully against the
great enemy of Civilization, popery. Eng
land was speedily lifted to her feet as by
miracle, and rapidly rose to be the mos
conspicuous power Of Europe.
Charles Second was a concealed Roman Ca.
tholic. He attempted to introduce his reli-
gion the natural consequences followed
country and King all became the scorn of for
cign powers; the national arms were humilia
ted in war; and pestilence and confagratior
laid waste the capital.
An undisguised papist, James Second came
next. This filed the cup. The Stuarts were
cast out, they and their dynasty forever. Thai
proud line of Kings dwindled down to soil
tary monk, an exile and stipendiary, subsis
ting on the aims Of England.
Professionalism called William to the throne
He found the kingdom ruin, begirt by enc
mics and ravaged by intestine commotion
But the principle, that called him, left its wis
dom and victory. He attacked colossal France
it's own soil. The Protestant champion
vanquished the Popish prosecutor, and shat
tered the power of France for hundred years
The Brunswick line was Protestant. Their
faith was their title. Under their succession
with the remarkable exception of the ssRomar
Catholic Administration in the early years Of
the current century, to complete the contrast
England rose to her present dignity.