Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-17
Prom the New York Metropolitan Record.
Cath ole abolfttonfsfu


The Cincinnati Weekly EBeuirer j. perfectly
right when il saws that "a large majority OF the
clergy and laity OF our Church "hAve declined
10 follow the unhappy example" Of some of their
number IN that section OF the country who have
voted with the sbOtionsts No matter who
saws 10 the contrary. whether he be in high or
low position, he Catholics have no sympathy
with Pdriansm either in politics OF religion. and
the Catholic who votes i'm favor of that element
in this country. whether be vote conscientiously
or as a matter OF interest arrays himself in an
tsgonism TO the instincts and feelings of his peo-
pie We have heard enough about the sin of
saveholdng. IL is no sin. Ifs is, why Is the
man who holds slaves allowed to receive the
Sacramento
Then. again. IL is said that the mission of our
Savior was 10 ''set men free" Yes, HIS mission
was to set men free from the slavery OF sin: but
slavery is not a sin in the eyes of the church,
HIS mission had 10 reference whatever 70 that in
stitutiOn. Ii is notorious fact that during the
three years of His mission he said one
word in denunciStiOn Of slavery. although there
were NJ Iess than sixty millions OF slaves at that
time in the Roman Empire Bishops of the
church have held slaves before now. and asser
tons like those referred TO are calculated not
only 60 mslead the Catholic mind with regard to
the relation which the Church views the "pecu
liar institution" but to embitter the bloody con-
North and the South
If Catholics would not he misled on this sub
ject. they will read Ito able and conclusive letters
OF the late Right Reverend Doctor England. the
erIdte and illustrious Bishop of Charleston IL
is intention publish these letters from time
to time. that our fellow-Catholics may not be led
astray by any man. IL the Enquirer desires to
know how the Third Provincial Council of Gin
cinnati treated the question as tn the proprety of
Intro no fSlt init fha OH rcit
he will find all the information he wants in the
followin. paragraphs from the Pastoral Letter of
that Council:
1T il not for w. 60 inquire into the causes
which have led to The present unhappy condition
of affairs This inquiry belongs more apprOpri-
ately to those who are directly concerned in man
aging the aff,irs Of the Republic The spirit Of
the Catholic Church is eminenty conservative,
and, while her ministers rightfully feel deep
and abiding Interest in all that concerns the vel
fare of the country. they do not think it their
province TO enter into the political arena. They
leave TO the ministers of the human sects 10 dis
from their puipits and their ecclesiastical as
sembes the exciting questions which lie nj the
basis OF most of our present and prospective diff
culties Thus, while many OF the sects have
divided iuto hostile parties on an exciting pOlit
ical issue the Catholic Church has carefully pre-
served her unity of spirit in the bond of peace.
literally knowing no North, no South. no East.
and ITO West Wherever Christ is tn be preached
and sinners to be saved. there she is found wiki
her ministrations of truth and of mercy She
leaves the exciting question referred 70 precisely
where the INSPIRED Apostle OF the Gentiles left it,
contenting herself like him. with intoxicating on
nil classes aud grades of society the faithful dis
charge OF the duties belonging their respective
states OF life, knowing that they will all have TO
render strict account TO God for the deeds done
IN the flesh, that this life is short aud transi;Ory
and that eternity never ends Beyond this point
her ministers DO not consider it their province to
go, knowing well that they are ministers of God,
who is not God of dissensiOn. but of peace and
love
Had this wise and conservative line of conduct
been generally followed throughout the country,
We are convinced that much of the embitiered
sectional feeling which now unfortunately exists
would have been Obviated, and that brotherly
love, the genuine offspring of true Christianity,
instead of the fratricdal hatred which is obvious
ly opposed TO its essential genius and spirit would
now bless our country. and bind together all
fellow citizens in one harmonious brotherhood.
May God, in his Astounding mercy. grant that the
sectarianlsm which divides and sows dIssentionS
may gradually yield to the Catholic spirit which
unites and breathes unity and love"
We may add that the pastoral from which
make the foregoing extracts was signed by the
following prelaIes CT the province of Cincinnati:
JOHS BAPrrsr.
Archbishop OF Cincinnati.
- PETER PAUL,
Bishop of Zela, Coadntor
Administrator of Detroit.
g ANEpEus
Bishop of Cleveland
F" MARTIN JoHN.
Bishop of Louisville
MAURICE.
Bishop of Vincennes
:" GEORGE ALoYsiUs.
Bishop of CovinstoD
FREDERICK.
Bishop of Saul Ste. Marie.
:" JOHN HENRY,
Bishop OF Fort Wayne.
What is To he thought of those who set AZ de-
tance the wholesome. conservative. and truly
Catholic counsel contained in this provincial
letter! 1t SAYS Had this wise and conservative
line of conduct been generally followed through
out the country, we are convinced that much of
the embittered sectional feeling which now un-
fortunately exists would have been obviated "
And yet will IL be believed that the wise. Chris
tian injunction to the Clergy not to enter into the
political arena has been disregarded in the very
city OF Cincinnati, and within "A short walk Or the
Cathedral itsef Catholics may wei; dread the
effects of such departure either on the political
roSfruin or in the press. the, nave witnessed in
Cincinnati. irOm the hitherto conservative course
OF the Chu ch. and particularly OF It's prelates in
this country We place oarseiye- firmly on the
ground taken by he pastoral letter, and will stand
there, no matter hat course others may purs
We are satisfied to abide BY is advice. We do
not seek alliance with Henry Wari Beecher and
his party Thew it company only for those
who desire to a6oliIioaize the Church. aud TO set
aside the pastoral letter of the Third Provincial
Council, Of Cincinnati.
AGood Man ana True