The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-12-01


the secular and religious Catholic press in
this country, is almost without exception
pro-slavery. The press. it is fair to presume
| reflects the sentiments of the readers. 1t
would perhaps be unfair to quote from the
| Metropolitan Record and other Catholic
journals of the ultra pro-slavery kind, which
are the open and violent defenders of the
Shareholders rebellion: but it is proper to
to bring testimony from such as are regard
ed among the moderate and liberal The
New York Tablet Catholic journal of
wide influence and of moderate stamp,
in its issue of Nov. 10th, defines the posi-
ton Of the Catholic church on the question
Of slavery. A brief extract will be sufficient
to give the general tenor of the whole arti-
cle Of slavery it says;
SAN institution that was once sanctioned
by Almighty God, as Scripture proves hui
man slavery to have been, cannot be oppos-
ed to justice and the law of nature, as our
Abolitionists would have people believe
and consequently the Catholic Church has
never absolutely condemned human slavery.
Hence we say, that Catho-
lies, consider it neither sin or a shame to
hold slaves, provided they are treated kind
ly and Christianity"
The position of the church on the subject
of slavery as defined by the Tablet, is in
exact concordance with the northern pro-
slavery democracy. So also, the attitude
of the church, in respect to the prosecution
OF the war, as enunciated in the Tablet o.
Nov. Goth is in agreement with the senti
ments of the democratic party. On thu
ubject Of tho present war with the rebel
lion, the Tablet says:
"But Catholics as body, are entirely op
posed to carrying on the war solely for tn,
emancipation Of the negroes They woult
rather see the Union restored, and peace re
established in the land, even if slavery wer
not abolished in all the States, than to con
! tinue drenching the country in blood for th
, emancipation Of southern negroes"
Now if such be the honest sentiments 0
the Catholic Church, why revive the ques
ton why our adopted citizens of that fait
SO unitedly vote the democratic ticket, as
the cause were something inexplicable? P
Since the sentiments of the Church, are sub
stantially the same politically, as those he'll
by the modern democracy. why need an
wonder be manifested, that the adherent
of the Church vote accordingly? Thes
statements are not made with the slightes
intention, of exciting any prejudices be
, tween Catholics and Professionals :-Catho
, lies have an UNREASONABLE right to thei
political opinions and action. If they ar
all democrats, they doubtless have as muc
| pride in being called democrats, as those c
an opposite political faith have in bein
called Republicans. If the primary reaso
why they are democrats is that they di,
like anti-slavery doctrines, and like the pre-
, slavery doctrines of the modern democrac
better, why hide that reason under bushel
This travelling around great fact in GU
American politics, for fear some one will b
offended is sheer nonsense. 1t should
taken for granted, that no man in thes
times is ashamed of his politics, nor of th
reasons which induce him to be democrs
or republican.
JUSTICE.