Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-29


cause those principles would reduce ninety
nine ont of every hundred OF these men to the
condition of slaves. Whence are we to look
for the cause of this unity among SO many
hundreds of thousands scattered over so wide
a surface We find the votares of the Cath
olic Church as class, among the least en-
hghtened of our population, and thus in con-
dition to yield a ready obedience in all things,
to an authority which they.have been taught
to respect as of Gods. appointment. The
church of their faith advances high and extra
ordinary claims. 1t is the only true Apostolic
church. 1t is infallble il docirine--miracles
continue to be wrought within its holy COM
munion--its head is the Vicegerent of God on
earth and successor of the Apostle to whom
was entrusted the keys of Heaven. 1t is
pure Hierarchy. The Laity have little or no
power, all authority being concentrated in the
Priesthood. Again | ask. whence this unity
in political action, among the yotaries of this
church, when every other denomination of
Christians is divided in seeking for an an
swer TO this inquiry, all men will look to the
source where the power resides. When the
votaries of the Church OF Rome, shall exhibit
in our political contests, the ike diversity of
views and action, that is seen among all other
classes OF our people, then and not till then,
will the pubic mind be relieved from the
picion, that hierarchial influences are mis-
chievously at work in our politics.
1t is idle to eyade the point, 10y labored ef
forts in defence of religious freedom and the
rights of conscience. 20 assault is made up
on either. The largest libcrty-thc broadest
liberation, is conceded in matters Of religious
faith and worship. The ground of complaint
lies here--that j Hierarchy, invested with Pc
culiar sanctty and powers in the eyes of the
| Laity, should exert spiritual influence to
control our elections, and give TO the policy OF
our Government, direction, adverse to the
wishes of majority of the people, not within
the sphere of such influence. No intelligent
man will question the fact, that the late Pres
fdentiai election controlled by the Rnited
Catholic Uote Ii the adherents of that church
had been divided ir their votes, as were all the
Protestant sects of our country, the present
administration would never have had an exis
tence. The Slave Power to-day, would not be
master of our government-promulga eating its
abhorrent doctrines through judicial tri-
Notwithstanding the sovereignty of the
States, and boldly trampling down the clearest
| constitutional rights of the citizen.
| 1t is also apparent TO every intelligent OBJ
server, that the same unity in the Catholic vote
is relied upon as the main support of our op-
| poncnts in the coming State election With
| these undeniable facts before us, can ii be said
| that there is no ground for the strong convlc-
| lion in the minds of the American people, that
| hierarchial influences not only interfere in our
| politics, but actually control our electsons
| If the Protestant sects of our country presen-
| ted the same unanimity in opposition to the
pro-slavery Democracy, that the Catholic
| church does in its support ,our opponents would
not be slow OF measured in their denunciation.
| Indeed, the clfiefs and press of that party. as
| sail with gross vituperation such Protestant
| Christian ministers openly in the face of
| day, denouncc from the sacred desk the crimes
| of slavery, and insist upon the Sanctity of the
marital and parental relations. In them, it is
| a greyous offence. TO proclaim. IN connection
with slavery the great essential truths of chris
| tianity-that God is the Creator and Father OF
| all men-that He made of one flesh all the na-
| tions of the earth-that He is no rcspector of
persons, but holds in equal love all His chill
dren; and that He will require of every one
the observance of His righteous law: sF-All
things whatsoever We would that men should do
| to you, do ye even SO to them" This alliance
| between an ancient and powerful Church, and
| the slave interest of America is the more re-
| marlabe, when we consider the fact, that the
early and authoritative teachings of that
| Church are in condemnation of slavery. How
long this strange alliance is to continue | know
not-I1ow long it is to be successful is for the
| American people TO decide.
| To your .fffh interrogatory ] anSwer--that
| am in favor of free Schools for the education
| of all classes; and am opposed to any exclu-
sion of the Bible therefrom.
Respectfully yours, D. WILMoF.
To John Brotherlne, Esq, Chairman, &c.