The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-09-12
CHURCH AND STATE.


CHURCH AND STATE.
Thspscudo-D Democracy are externally patng about
political parsons" and reverend" demagogues,
as often ~ Protestant minister thinks proper TO
express opinion adverse 70 the policy and prac.
tices Of the reigning dynasty Of spoismen; and If
an intelligent stranger from abroad should hear
their loadmouthed stumpers, or read their pen.
stoned presses upon this fayorite theme, in total
ignorance Of their history he would naturally con-
cude that no such enemies TO the union Of "Church
and State could be found outside Of the English
Chartist associations. What then, must be the
surprise Of such person when he learns that the
very backbone Of Democracy in the cities Of
the Union Is the Church of Rome. Protestants
are divided between all the political parties of the
country-some are Democrats, some are old line
Whigs some are Americans, some are Repnbli-
cans, some are Aboltionists, and some are pro
slavery; but 70 end Catholic who is not zeal
Gus champion Of " the Democracy is to find
rara avis, which, properly Gagged up, carried about
for exhibition by some cunning Barnum, would be
as good as gol6mne.
We have been led TO these remarks by reading
the following statements from the valedictory OF
the retiring editor OF the st. Louis Leader. II
viii be seen that he frankly admits that the paper
has been entirely controlled by the Catholic Arch
bishop Of st. Louis He says
"The Leader originated In desire Of the Catho.
lies of this city to possess newspaper devoted TO
their views and interests, and Which might be
channel OF the intelligence connected with the af-
fairs Of their church. After the demise of the
Shepherd Of the Valley In the summer of 1864,
this want was very severely felt"
The writer Mr. j. Y. Huntington, proceeds TO
state how he became connected with the enter
prise, and TO glorify himself upon its success and
continues:
"0f the manner Ia which Mr.. Huntington full
filed the trust thus committed TO him, little need
be said, because single observation will sufi.
cicntly elucidate It. II was agreed verbally be-
tween him and those who might be considered
to represent the subscribers to the fund for estab
fishing "Catholicn paper, that in case Of any
difference OF opinion as u, the proper manner Of
dischargng this duty, the matter should be re-
ferred to the Archbishop OF St. Louis, whose
decision should be final and this arrangement, If
IL had not been formally made, was implied In the
very nature of the case for, by the constitution Of
the Catholic Church, the Archbishop was the
highest local Judge, and locally without appeal, in
deciding what Catholic paper was or ought to
pursue In reference TO the interests Of the Catholic
religion. Il Is sufficient 10 add that every step
taken by Mr.. Huntington In conducting the paper
and in modifying It's character, from time 70 time,
had the full appreciation Of the Archbishop, who
may have regretted some Of the changes, but who
recognized their inevitable necessity.
"The only point, in fact, ia regard 10 which q
murmur could be raised--ior the paper was the
/ most popular Catholic paper ever started In St.
/ II In al al A.
point that could be objected TO was the stand
taken by Mr.. Huntington 10 the spring of 1856,
| in regard 10 the State election. Perhaps two
thirds Of our Supporters were Benton men, yet
we threw ourselves boldly into the ranks of Anti
| Bentonism, avowed that the National Democratic
party was the only one that Catholic could con-
sistently support, and fought the thing through"
1t will be seen that the editor honestly avows
that he has been advised and controlled through
out his career by the Catholic Archbishop, who
therefore Is responsible for the ultra political
character Of the paper from the beginning. The
interests Of " Holy Mother Church" required that
this organ of Catholic piety should also be the
INSCRIPTIONS organ of spoils Democracy, and that
the party's enemies should be treated as the
church's enemies, whether they were "Know
Nothings" or otherwise. 1t was sufficient offence
that they opposed the Democracy. There was no
salvation outside the pale of the party, no more
than Of the church, and we can testify that the
douLle-headed organ Of church and party has
been true TO its allegiance; for no more uuscru-
pulous, vindictiye, and viruent sheet Is sustained
upon Treasury pap between Maine and Texas,
than the st. Louis Leader.
Mr.. Benton and bis friends were the stern OBJ
ponets Of the American party, when Atchison,
Stringfelow, and Stewart--the late candidate of
the spoils-democracy for Governor--were sneaking
into "Know-Nothng lodges by the back door.
Why, then,was il that the Leader, under the con-
troll OF the Archbishop, came out against Benton,
and in favor Of Atchison, stringfellow, and Stew.
artS Is not the reason clear, that the procedure
was concocted in Washington by Pierce, Douglas
& Cor Atchison and Stringfellow were the cham
pions and opponents Of Democracy In Kansas, and
the Administration was bound to sustain them. By
arrangement, therefore, they we're called upon TO
renounce Know.Nothingism, and the Catholic
Archbishop, on these terms, agreed 10 denounce
Benton and Bentonism, and TO sprinkle Atchison,
Stringfellow, Co with holy water Well, there
is fitness in things, and there is law Of attrac
ton between moral aftinities as well as natural
The Shepherd Of the Valley, the Catholic news
paper above referred to, stated few years ago
that the people OF this country hold their liberties
In subordination to the Pope Of Rome--tbat ale.
glance was due to him, and that the time had ar.
rived for the assertion Of that principle This
dogma, the necessary and logical sequence Of the
doctrine of Infability, is the essence Of desposm
in Church and State, and constitutes the irresisti
BILE affinity which Is every where found to exist
between the Church of Rome and the spoiIs-de.
mocracy.
"A bill 10 prohibit Senators and Representa-.
tives from accepting Offices created during their
legislative term has passed through most Of IL
stages in our Legislature Il is anything but fat.
terng, either 20 the members or 20 those vho