, 1860-08-02

while engaged in The infamous slaTe Trade
during tie last eighteen months, most ot which
were fitted out at the port Of New York, prob
ably by tho men who arc now actively engag-
I'd iu elec.ing = Democrat and saving the
1!niou. What else could be expected?
When such men As Isaiah Ryndcls are The ap-
poip.ed ct6cers Of The law, upon whose hdel.
itv and honesty it's execution depends, what
but this dissracetul showing could be looked
for? The country may have the consolation Of
knowing that when Abraham Lincoln takes
tho roins, the seat Of the horrible traffic will be
in places not within the reach Of the Federal
powerI
CATHoLsc PRoscRIPrI0N--1R1sH
KN0W.NOTAdNGlSm
The Fathers Of the Republic when they di.
vorced Church and State, aud abolished all
theological tests in governmental atlalrs,
hoped and believed that they had left no cause
for religious intolerance, and that IN the dim
future Of American politics. all scc!s and de-
nominations would vote upon the merits Of po-
litcal questions, regardless Of the faith OF can
didates or tho requirements Of crceds opon-
ing the door to the incoming Of all shades Of
religious belief--protecting all in the enjoyment
Of their opinions and rights OF worshp-cut-
ting up tithes, clurch-rates and tests making
all men equal before the llw-they left tho
country to their descendanta
Cp to this time, the work Of the Fathers,
except in uar7ow locaalies, has not been I'M
paired. Know-Nothingism- protest against
the interference Of foreign ecclesiastics in our
home matters, md tue fraudulent use Of Ger
thin foreign element in our political strifes-
soon. ran itself out It's proscriptiye tendcp.
cles, which included oil raligions and all races,
made it hateful to n majority Of tho American
people; md its influence ceased. It made
rapid race and achieved many victories which
crunbled in its grasp, aud bore 60 fruit We
opposed it. because we beloved in the natural
rights Of man rs man, regardless Of his birth
place orrelg.on. The same principles Of tole-
ration which made lis cry out against lodges,
councils, eecret meetings and passwords, all
having prescription for their object, imp*l us
now. # we could not look with favor upon
tlark-laptern associations Of Americans BY
birth and Protestaots by religion, we shall not
be blamed If We declaim against the new and
threatniDg attitude Of the Catholic Church and
the Catholic IRISH in this country. If we
could not do wrong that supposed good
might come to the Protestant religion and
sour countrymen By birth and blood, We shall
not be required to hold our peace when we
are brought in contact with worse form OF
.Know-Nothingism, which has for its object
the supremacy Of another religion and another
and an alien race. Now for the application:
TIE country is enlivened by an active po-
ltical strife. In the contest are questions
which touch great social and economical prob
1sms-the extension or non-extensiou Of Slave
~ over territory now free-the proposed
change in the commercial policy, whereby the
labor Of the farmers md mechanics Of the
the whole land may be better rewasded-the
Homestead measure, the adoption Of which
will insure homes and land for the homeless
and landless--the reduction Of the expenses
o. the national administration to APPOINT where
they will cease to BE- oppressive to the payers
OF duties and taxes-the prohibition Of the
African Slave Trade, which has sprung into
great activity during the life Of the dynasty
now in po er,-thcse things are widely dis"
cussed, but with an exception, by and BY
to be pointed out no church or religious Or
gaaizstion las thought Of dragging theologi-
cal matters into the strife. The members Of
nil the Protestants sects are scattered through
all tue parties. Methodis.s, Baptists, Presby-
terians, Uniyersalis:s, Unitarians, Episcopali'
ans, and ol1 others divide up and rote for this
candidate or that-so,ns for Lincoln, some for
Breckin1idge, some for Bell, some for Hous-
ton-as their principles or personal prefer
ences impel Lincoln and Breckenridge are
no1uinally Presbyterians; but who hears that
The Presbyterian Church goes rs body for
either? There has been belief Us erroneous
as widespread, that Mr. Douglas is Baptist;
but are the Baptists for him to man? We
do not know what are Bells theological no.
,ious; but who hears Of my sect voting fol
him in mase, because be is their brother
The American people and majority Of the
uaturalized citizens sec in the struggle be-
tween the parties no theological significance.
They are content to maintain the separation
between Church and State, which the Fathers
established, and to make candidates for popu-
Jar fnvor depend upon their ability, honesty
aud tituess-not their religious belief
To this rule, among all denominations and
sccts, there is but single exception. The
Catholic Church md the Catholic Irish are H.
lusltating a new phase Of Know Nothing
ism. The bishops, priesta laymen and jour
nails Of that sect and that nation have
Abandoned tho obligations Of federation upor
which nll others havo agreed to net, and, witt
hardly exceptions enough to prove the rule
have committed themselves to Douglas
Where, VIC ask, is there in the North or Soutl
a Catholic journal that no matter what it
course in regard to the social and economica
issues in the contest, opposes him? Where i
thero an Irish priest who is not openly or se
csetay his partisan7 Where is there an lrisl
laymen who is not willing to work, vote, q
fight that Douglas may succeed?
Now We want to know why this Know
Nothingism is set up ? What reason lies b
hind this unanimous action, 80 different frol
that which marks the course Of the other rel
Eious sects7 Is Douglas Catholic? We
not assert it, buk the appearances are againI
him. He may be or may not be. Thousand
cay that he is; few say that he is not. Wed
not care. His religious opinions are his owl
and We have no right to NEEDLE therewia
But we have right TO protest in the mo-
emphatic manner against the establishment
religious tests in American politics. in such
way that numerous and powerful sect e,
pertaining the dangerous views Of governme'
to which al lire Catholics must hold, may
ranged almost 10 the last man in favor Of an
candidate, no matter who. We want to know