Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-07-26
Is Douglas a Catholic.


We have never asserted that Judge Doug-l
las is a Catholic. We do not intend to d
make that assertion until we can prove II. :
Bot IN spite of our honest forbearance, the
tslk on the streets mskes out a prima facie
case against him. We do not care to repeat :
all thst ID said, because much is asserted
chat we cannot substantiate The moin
points, however, are these: that when Judge
Drny as was in Europe, and shortly after he
had LETT Rome, there came report to this
country. through the Catholic journals, that
an eminent American statesman-a member
OF the Senate OF the United Ststes-had
submitted to the Pope, received absolution,
ard, us our p ,te,ant ire nds would say, the
"right hand oi fellowship" This report I
pointed directly TO Mr.. Douglas. inasmuch !
~ he wac the only Senate. known to be
sbuurd; but sit.r floating around In the
cwspal ers, without exciting much COM
uent IL died out. The matrimonial alliance
termed, few years after that European
tour, with un in1uente Catholic family,
rave rise 10 new surmises and suspicions;
aud for a lltle while revived the rumor that
the Catholic newspapers had put into cir
cuihtion But few believed that for the FAKE
|
tire faith Of his family, which was strongly
Cavanistic, and given his adhesion to that
false aud fallen Church of X ONE. But the
extraordinary proceedings at Peoria during
the campaign OF 1862 came just in time TO
arouse the Protestant public once more |
What those proceedings we're we shall have
occasion 10 tell al the proper time. The
renewed suspicion OF the Judges apotasy al
81 received confirmation from the attitude Of
the Clergy and laity OF the Church during
tina, memorable struggle. They were ar.
rayed without exception in the ranks OF the
Douglas men. The management of the
canvass was given up to the m, and 1t is be-
lievcd, upon what we think is sufficient evil
derce that the doubtful counties which gave
him an other lease OF his seat in the Senate,
we're srried by Catholic voters, who acted
under Instruction from high ecclesiastical
auihority. We have no reason to doubt
thai Sangamon and Madison counties were
so carried. The evidence Of that feet is
ovcrwhel lining The baptism OF the Judge's
chld-ii we mistake not the only one born
10 him since that European tour-in the
sacred text, is another link in the chain Of
circumstances which 90 10 show that he has
embrac d the Catholic fuih. The super
hum N exertons of the Catholic papers in
his behalf, be fore and after the meeting OF
the Charleston Convention; and the 'act OF
the appearance OF Archbishop Hughs the
American Primate, at a DOUG Jas meeting
in New York IA meeting held to influence
the ac,ion of the New York delegation at
Baltimorc; the uncoun,abe zeal Of The Cath
Glcs in that delegation when the Convention
assembled-these things coupled with the
other TACT that every Catholic journal in thu
United States, and as far as we know ever,
priest and bishop and an overwhelming mrj
ority of the laymen Of the Catholic Church
are now supporting him as they never sup
portsny body but brother in the faith
nhske out what protestants call stronl
case. Add to oil, the charge which is no
denyed, that his pocket has suffered, tha
the cause of the Pope in the present ltaliaI
struggle, might be triumph over the p,puln
soyereignity which the oppressed ltalien
are laying down their lives to establish and
even our confidence in the Judges Protes
tansm il shaken.
Judge Dougla has an unquestoned right
TO Join the Catholic Church If he wants to
He nigh: become a member OF the order O
Jesuits with peculiar propricty. Nobod
can complain OF the direction in which hi
religious convictions, if he has any such
impe him. Nor can he nor can his friend
complain If bis rurnored apostasy becomes
matter Of inquiry now that he Is "a cand
1ate fer the Presidency. Mos, men belev
that Catholicism in this country IL not s
much a system OF religion as potico-e'
ciesihstical system--an engine for obtainin
political power to the deiriment Of Libert!
Us that power is now being used in ITALY
Austria, Spain and Mexico; and when it
proposed to establish a center o: Catho!i
influence in the White House, fer control
ing the country's diplomacy and domest
legislstion, naturally enough the peop
want to know IT, The Protestant princip
10 very dear to Americans 1t 10 the priI
ciplo OF religious and political liberty. !
Il we owe this republican government an
all the blessings which flow therefor an
TO il the hopes of all patriots are turned !
the star which Is to light all nations to II
dependence and freedom. They want n
iwpedimohts put 10 the way Of tho onwa'
progress Of that principle IN its mission f
freeing and blessing mankind.
HAMp MEETTNG