Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-11
TIA CatboI,c vote.

In copying the aujoined article the Odtoic Aiscel-
any says:
1--WE find the following sensible letter from
Catholic gentleman of Marietta, Ca in the Atlants
Daily InteiqenceT of the 18th inst The Wrlter was
not aware that the obnoxious paragraph was NOT |
original with the Know Nothing editor of Atlanta,
but was copied from the Louisville Journal edllea
by Mr. Prentiss a man whose great talents are more
than equalled by his malignity and tanatcal hatred
of everything Catholic. Every time that Mr. brecA-
inridre was candidate for Office in his native State
the Catholic Democrats voted for him because nc
was a Democrat The Catholic Wings, then numer-
GUS in Kentucky, always voted against HIM as a
matter of course This one little fact shows that
Catholics in voting, are not influenced by consdera-
tons of their religion or that of the candidate,
but solely by their political preferences"
THE CATHOLIC VoTE.-"lt is said that Mr.. Douglas
will get nearly or quite all the Roman Catholic vote
of the country. Mr.. Breckenridge has no show IN
that quarter, he being of well-known distinguish
ed Presbyterian lineage"
Doubtless Mr.. Douglas has may warm and ardent
supporters among them; so has Mr.. BreekiLrldge
but thank God, their adherence TO AbOliuonism and
Black Repubhcanism, for there Is something IN the
religion they profess which forbids their giving and
or countenance to fanaticism or oppression. lhaVe
many a time and oft" met strong and ardent Wings
who were devoted adherents of the faith progressed
by Lafayette, Charles Carroll of Carrolton, and the
| venerable Chief Justice fancy, but have never
! during my twelve years of political life, come III
contact with an Abolitionist who processes Catho-
city. In fact. person to tell me he was one
and at the same time an AboliuOnist and Cathohc
| l should be compelled to doubts his veraclty
But why are we so often reminded of the ''Cathohc
vote ~ Why do not editors prognOsucate the power
and influence of the EpiscOpaan, the Methoulst te
Presbyterian or the Baptist vote, and fortell the
course of eitaer of them? Why does the Chroncte
and Sentinel, (true TO its Know Nothing mstlncls,J
make bold to assure us that 1.-THE Catholic vote VIII
be given to Mr.. Douglas, because Mr. breckenridge 8
PRESBYTERIAN Image p Is it in its dotage IN TINS
the 25th wear of its exitence? Is it so far gone IN
second childshness that it really believes Cath0hcs
can lie forced by any human power to YotG otI I,
wise than shall seem fit to each and every lnulVluu
of the great Catholic body in America? II, with al
the lights before it. and the rebuke administered tC
its late secret party organization it can answer al
Tentatively / can only pity PITS ignorance OF lat'
political events or admire its obstinate persistence
IN error.
MEssRs. EDIToRs: The above nOrceau clip from
the Chronicle and Sentinel of yesterday Sunday otn
and request of you the favor of short space j
your columns contradict the evil effect mat sucl
sentiment as is contained in the above Is lntende
to produce do not propose, in this commumca
ton, to advocate the claims of either Mr. BrecKln
ridge or Mr.. Douglass my only object is to dlsslpau
the idea that Catholics y when exercising the iran
chise are controlled more than any other citizens
| by the religious leanings of candidates premls
then that there Is not such thing IN ue country
L 'the Roman Catholic UOte," per Sc. The members
that denomination just as free to exercise thel
rights at the ballOt-bOX as are those OF ANY e'al
| gelica" sect. There is tie binding them To OF
pose any candidate because of his "Presbyterla
| lineage or because he may be connected Win an
sect, denomination, or religious ASSOCIATION Whlc
Diners from them on dOCtrinal points. Neither Al
they par contra in anywIse bound to support a cal
didate who comedies with them IN religious Deile
IN Catholics are taught to hold the franchise as gil
| riOus privilege, which must te exercised IN lu
such manner as to them shall seem most ayallaO
u for promoting the prosperity and best interests
n our beloved country. They do not vote as Cath
y lies but as American citizens. bound IN conscience
exercise the franchise for the well being OF the
ton: and they are not disposed to cOncede or aba
re ons lot or title of those rights which are IN CONNIE
Of with their dissenting brethren conferred upon the
n, as citizens They do, and doubtless ever Will ul1
land that honestly) among themselves as to me M
" and TIE party TO be placed IN power. Ihey Ia
be ever done so and why should they not!
But there is no need of defending the action
NJ the Catholics of country, either at the oal'
a box on the judicial bench in the legislative hails
III ON the tented field" In each of these pOslto
nd they have given substantial evidence OF their PaS
NJ otto devotion and love of country. No mlserai
us il,lendO coming from any organ OF the aeor'S
Know Nothingism will effect the object IN view
lot the iessening of the Catholic character IN the MN
to of the American people Acting upon the prlnclI
ed of Justice, equality and the constitution, eve
nc Catholic will take for his guide IN this contest
advice of the great tragic bard
u To thine own self be true
And it mustfollOW, the night the day,
Il, Thou cans not then be false TO any.
The Catholic vote, as the Chronicle and SEMI
is Dlpa sod To term it. will be divided honestly