American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-05-16
From the NsW I'osk Observer.
'POPERY AND PAUPERISM.

A fact has recently been brought to
light inTthis city, that deserves the pro-
found'Gttention ofProtcstants and Ro-
manists.
In the report of the Association for
the Improvement of the condition of
the Poor, the following Statement is
made, under the authority of such
names as James Brown, George Girls.
void, James Boorman, lIoratie Allen,
James Lennox, A. r. Wetmore, and
others, officers of the Society, who are
responsible for the truth of the allcga-
ton. #at t|E
The fact is inscribed all over the re-
cords of ourpublic almsgiving and Grim.
inal institutions, our private, individual
and organized charities, that the great
mass OF our paupers and felons are of
foreign birth or parentage, and chiefly
Roman Catholics. The records of the
Association show that more than sew
enty-iive per cent, Of its bcnefciaries
are of the same class, and consequent.
~, that a corresponding ratio of its la
bors and OUTLAWS arc for their benefit
while not one per cent Of its pccuniary
mears-which are wholly derived from
private sources-come from persons of
thef faith Such an expenditure Of
Protestant funds, and efforts, for the
exclusive advantage of foreigners and
Romanists will scarcely find parallel
! elsewhere, certainly not out of the Prot
cstant Church. These facts are not
introduced for all ihvidous comparison
of Professionalism and Romanism, but
as indisputable facts, having direct
practical bearing upon the economical
interests, objects and duties of this III
stitution, in its relations to the poor of
the city. H
In view Of these facts, is it surpris-
ing that some good men should dcmur
at the ''heavy burthens and grievous
to be borne, that are laid upon them, Z"
by a religious sect, who, like the Scribes
and Pharisccs of old, evil not touch
them with one Of their fingers?' All
our Protestant churches are charitable
institutions, from their foundations to
their top stones. They so care for
their INDECENT members and families,
that none are allowed to be relieved BY
public aims or to be thrown upon tho
cold charities of the world. The same
is true, as general fact, of the Jews
amongst Us. But the Roman Catho-
lies OF this city, excepting the relief of
few orphans, make no Corresponding
provision for their poor, neither by their
churches or otherwise; nor yet assist by
their contributions, those who are en-
gagged in this Christian duty. Their
adult poor and children, the sick, the
aged, and the inpotent, arc alike neg
lccted by them. OF those who subsist
on aims, and oyerrun our city rs men
dlcants, there is reason to fear that
thousands would perish every year, if
unrellevcd by Protestant charity.
Remonstrancc with them on the sub.
jcct is uniformly met with the plea of
poverty. But it does not appear how
such plea is reconcilablc with the adj
United wealth Of many of their mem
bcrs--thcr boosted numbers-the mil
lions OF money annually RENTED by
them from this country to Europe
the millions invested in costly church
cdliiccs-and their numerous converts,
confraternitcs, schools, academies, col.
lcgcs, &C., which they have founded a.
mongst us for educational uses and the
propagation of their faith. They bold
~ affirm that charity is only carried
out in its fullncss by the Holy Church"
1t is necessarily preached to the faith
ful as the highest Of Christian duties,
and every cunning device employed to
extract money from the people. And
certainly not without success. Large
sums are annually contributed by mem
bcrS of that communion which are not
again dsbursed for the relief of the
needy, nor for objects of general utili.
ty or bCncvolence; but are absorbed by
the church to increase it's own power
and wealth, or mainly applied to pure
ly sectarian uscs--whilo their suffering
poor are left to be cared for by others,
or to perish.
In this passage VIC learn that the
great mass of paupers and fclons arc of
foreign birth, and chiefly Roman Cath
Ole; that scvcnty-fvc out of every one
hundred Of the bencfciarics Of this So
cicty arc Roman Catholics, and not ONE
dollar out Of hundred of its funds is
contributed by the members of that
community!
We feel justified in reiterating those
astounding truths, and pressing them
home upon the conscience and the iuds.
ment of our fellow citizens. 1t is we'll
known that Popcry and Paupersm 20
hand in hand the world over-that in