Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-09-18
Judge Douglas and our Naturallzed Cit
izens.

The Index" Of Friday contains the follow
ing statement:
Judge Douglas is recognized as the Demo
cratic candidate br at least four-hfths OF the
Democratic Catholic and foreign voters OF the
United States.
The editors Of the ''lndex are both our
personal friends, for whom we entertain the
kindest sentiments Of regard. We would be
the last to charge them with Intentional mis-
statement But it must be apparent to every
retlccting reader that their zeal in behalf OF the
Little Squattcr" has caused them unwIttlns'y
to draw very long bow
THAT our natI1ralized citizens should be diTl-
dcd in opinion between two candidates, each
claiming to represent the principles OF the
Democratic party, is no more strange than that
any other body of citizens should differ among
themselves in political opinion.
And the same reflection suggests itself VIII
regard to members Of the Catholic church as
compared with any other body Of Christians,
Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian or Presbyte-
rim.
Until our cotemporary can show some just
reason for the separation Of so large body ol
the Democracy. acting in mass, as ne supposes
-frou the majority Of the Democratic party
he must perceive that lie is paying !eit-hahu-
cd compliment 10 large number OF intelligent
citizens as vel! as to the united membership
of 4 great Christian church.
The truth is that the assertion oil the IN
dex' is obviously crroneous-extremeiy erro'
neous-so far, at least as it is intended 10 IN
clude In. ua,uraiized citizens and Catholics IN
Virginia.
M bodv Of Christians have shown them
selves more reliable on the slavery question:
than the Catholics Of ll.c whole country. We
have vet to be informed oil the first instance IN
which one or their priests has ever proclaimed
anti-slavery ,logmas from the pulpit, or one o.
their presses has manifested any desire 'c
prescribe shareholders
And certainly our naturallzed citizens oil any
Christian denomination whatever are steau
fastly opposed to know-Sothingism under eve
ry shape and shade Of avowal or disguise
We know that the Catholics and naturalIzet
citizens Of our State will compare favoraoiy II
intelligence and patriotism with u'y othe'
class Of our population. We know that the!
are individually free. each one OF them, TO choos'
his own political course. We kno" thae 'neS
are bound together by TO secret agreement no
intrigue, and that the act Of each must oe IN
resul, o.! his individual choice.
Why then .aoaM they prefer to vote 10
Stephen A. douglas:
Mr.. Douglas has TO especial Claim on thel
gratitude or their sympathy. lie haS risAe'
nothing in their brta!l. He has done them n
especial service.
As to the ABSURD pretence, so unb!ushinsi.
proclaimed By many Of Nr Douglas rr0te''
ant supporters, lha; the Catholic vote Is 'ie'
to him. hand ard foot. because hH "!le "
professor Of The Clthoiic .'aith, we trea
this insult 10 the Catholics of the country VIII
tha, contempt it deserves. The w'sdoE
which has hitherto 50 happily preserve
among American Catholics the policy OF entr
political tolerance and civil equality, has no'
and is not likely 10 degenerate into thas iha
folly Of civil intolerance on account Oh fe''s'ou
belief. which. if indugeI, would prove eq ua''
injurious 10 political prosperity and 10 '"' !
tian purity