The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1857-1858, 1857-08-05

t,asn31t1 tnspUsnce.
\ David Wimos - Sscenty xddrc ssed ! le,
Ter 10 the State Csancfi Of Pennsylvania - r.
ply to certain inserroslteries. Thriollowing
what be says upon the Catholic question:
Toyoar fourth interrogatory Ianswer. that
am opposed to the Interference OF Hr.rarchies Ii
politics. The office OF Christian Minister i
second 70 no othsy in dignity and responsibility
wosl1 not dcsra6s ieosa hit innctioOs Or impai
The respsct due % his character. 4 srknowledR
this right, and - ateacher OF the people, De
lievc u 70 be his duty to speak openly and fear
lessly against social and political evils, des,ruc
tive OF pubic morals and At war with the inter
ests and happiness OF mankind. In thus public
~ speaking, il he transcends the properties o
his place and Office, safe corrective Is fonnt
| in the censufe OF an enlightened public. Blu
that Priestly order, invested BY The laity will
mysterious sacradotal character--with preien
tons to extraordinary spiritual power--bounl
| together by ties, and acknowledging a. ,hei,
head = foreign potentate--that such an order
should enter the field Of politics, control oul
elections, and influence the policy OF our gov
eminent IS surely cause for alarm and should
awaken the jealous vigilance Of the American
people, II viii. probably be denied any such
hierarchical influence is brought to bear in our
4
not condemn without proof
i We see the American people divided on !
momentous issue. The principles Of human
! freedom and bondage are brought in direct con.
| ffict Mans iDalienabie right Of liberty Is de-
MED. The doctrine is openly asserted by those
who hold the government in their hands, that
Iod created the mass Of mankind to be slaves,
In the heat of this great struggle We see the
strongest ties severed-the ancient political par.
ties broken, and men Of every nation and faith
divided, save one. TIE votaries OF one church
are united in political action This unity in
the midst Of otherwise universal division is truly
most remarkable. From Maine to Texas, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean--ia every CITY.
town and hamlet-under whatever circum-
stances placed, or by whatever influence sur
rounded, we find the votaries of this church ar
rayed in political action on the side of slavery.
This cannot arise from an intelligent assent to
the principles of slavery; because those princi-
pies would reduce ninety.nine out ot hundred
Of these men to the condition Of slaves Whence
are we TO look tor the cause of this unity among
many hundreds OF thousands, scattered over SO
wide surface?
We lind the votaries of the Catholic Church.
as class among the least enlightened of our
population, and thus in condition to yield a
ready obedience, in all things, to an authority
which they have been taught to respect as Of
Oods appointment. The church OF their faith
advances high and extraordinary claims. It is
the only true Apostolic and Catholic Church.
IL Is intaible in Observation-Disclosures continue to
to be wrought within its holy communicates
head is the Vicegerent OF God on earth. and
successor to the Apostle to whom was intrusted
the keys OF heaven. 1t is poor heirarchy.-
Inc laity have little or no power, al authority
being concentrated in the Priesthood Again /
ASK, why this unity in political action among the
sotarles OF this ehuIch, when every other de-
of Christians is divided. In seeking
tor an answer to this inquiry, all men will look
% the source where the power resi- les When
The votaries OF the Church Of Rome shall ex.
i,bit, in our political contests the like diversity
y views and action that is seen among all other
classes OF oar people, then, and not till then.
viii the public mind be relieved from the sus.
'icion that herarchical Influences are mischiev-
'usly at work IN our politics
II ls idle to eyade the point, by labored eff
orts in defence OF religious freedom ana the
Ugh ; OF conscience. No assault j. made upon !
lther. The largest Eherty-the broadcast tue.'
alton is conceded in matters of religious faith
nd worship The grounds OF complaint lie
ere-that hierarchy, invested with peculiar
ancnty and power in the eyes of the laty.
hould exert spiritual influence to control our
lechons, and give TO the policy of our Govern.
ieat direction adverse to the wishes OF a ma.
'rtN OF the people not within the sphere Of
lch influence. No intelligent man will cues.
on the TACT that the late Presidential election i
as controlled by the United catholic vote. IL
ne adherents OF that church had been divided
! their votes, rs the Protestant sects of our
ountry, line present administration would never |
ave had an existence. The Slave Power. TO-
sy, would not be master of our Government
iomulgating its abhorrent doctrines through c
ar judicial tribunais--nndermia.n the sover-
gntv 0. the States, and bold, tranpn. down {
e ciearest constitutional rights of The citizens |
IL Is also apparent 70 every intelligent obser. $
r, that the saEie unity IN the Catholic vote is $
hei upon as the main support Of opponents +
the coming State election. With these un- n
unable facts before US, can it be said that c
ere Is no ground for the strong conviction in v
e minds OF the American people. that hierar- S
neal influences not only interfere in our pol. \
=, but actually control our elections? IT the f
'otestant sects OF our country presented the n
me unanlmlty in opposition 70 the Pro Slavery y
that the Catholic Church does in its a
pport, our opponents would not be slow or
ensured in their determinations Indeed the
ieis and press of that party assail with gross
such Protestant Christian ministers .
openly IN the face Of day, denounce from the y
creu uesk the crimes OF slavery, and insist
on the sanctity of the marital and parental II
ations. In them, it is grievous offence to ~
oclaim, in connection with Slavery, the great :
'ential truths OF Christanity-that God is the ~
Gator and Father OF all men-that He made n
one blood all the nations of earth-that He 81
no respector of persons, but holds in equal ~
re all its children; and that lie will require OF 81
cry one the observance of His RI ghteous law:
Ill things whatsoever We wouid that men
ouid do unto you, DO you even so to them.n q,
is alliance between an ancient and nowertpl "
nrch and the slave interests Of America il Z,
, more remarkable, when we consider the fac, W
It the early ana authoritative teachings of -
i church are in condemnation of Slavery =. =
" long this strange alliance is 10 continue l >,
ow not How long il is to be successful il for ~
American people 10 decide ", )"