The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-07
A Manly Tribute.

Ii Is refreshing in these days of religious
and political biGotry to read such straight
forward. manly and truly christian article rs
appeared few days ago in the Christiun
4drocate. 4 protestant and religious journal.
We nave not room Tor the en-
tire article, but give u few extracts most
credItable 20 the head and heart of the writ
err The article is headed The Catholics
Oh. The Catholics :" and says:
The Catholics are increasing rapidly, very
rspldly-no doubt about tDat-and If you had
attended TO your own Legitimate work and
mad worked Us faithfully during the Ave years
last past have the catholics, you would
have Increased = we'll ss they. The catho.
lies. priests and people, stuck TO their work
-"slI at It, and always at it, Had you
done likewise, ii would have been more cred
liable to yourselves and much better TO the
the interests of professionalism. The catholic
believes the teachings of his church and lab
urs TO spread its influence. And who blsnes
aim for that! Would you DO; increase the
mum osrs and influence of your church? You
claim t0 be honest SO does the catholic
You soy you are sincere. SO is be. You
believe ne Is IN error, and talk about ightine
him lie believes you are in error, and tries
~ SOhNNAt 1ON w Duk II nc kcIs tue power
he'll force me-" Well, 1t he we're to-rhat's
precisely what you talk of doing with MIN
Would It be any worse IN hun than it is In
you: But the catholics are seeking to get
the control OF this government" Well, sup
pose they are--whlch the Adrocate is GER
talny not inclined 10 athrm-but suppose
they are, then come out, honor bright" and
sag if you have not been aiming, Ut least in
directly, 10 do the very same thing! Don't
get mad It will do no good. Anger is no
argument. Honestly and candidly, has not
Puritanlsm. ss represented BY you, been try
ing, for years. to accomplish the same end
The AdcOcafe makes no charge. bus simply
asks a few questions.
Your course as ministers, the course of
your press. aud the course of large portion
"A maj Irity, psrhsps-of your people dur
ing the few years last past, lie we'll known
Tue effects OF it are very plainly to be seen
All this while the catholics have worked-ip
the camps, on the fields, In the prison, In the
hospitals, and wherever else they could find
an opening. They desired to increase their
numbers and influence they labored earn
estly and constantly for that purpose /; nor
have they labored in vain. Why did you
not pursue q similar course? Had YOU done
10, you would now have had less to complain
of; you would have increased in numbers
snds of men and women who have gone into
the catholic church would never have done so
had you aud your co-laborers always main
tanned In principle aud practice a pure, nor.-
secular church.
You did not do this and the result is, YOU
have lost more than will be speedily regain
ed. Don'E blame the catholics, blame YOUR
selves yours is the fault, and yours will be
the sorrow. The Adrocate is not set for the
defense of the catholics, however A large
portion of their teachings and usages il does
not receive. The Advocate 10 protestant to
the core. but its religion is not OF the quar-
reling and fighting kind. The wea oons of
Its waTfaae are not cdrRai liz is willing to
do justice to catholics, desires TO treat them
kindly. and if called on 10 debate any point
Of doctrine. or any usage. with any of the m,
to do SO respectfully, kindly, and with a de-
sire only to elliott truth. Ths catholics, for
the greater part. have, during the few wears
last past, acted consistently. There have
been few exceptions, but exceptions do not
form the rule. They have acted consistent
ly, and that's more than Puritanism has
done. whether IL were represented by n
gregationalists. by unitarians, by presbyteri- |
aus, by baptist-, or by methodists. And
Puri,auism prevails extensIvely in all the-e |
sects. in the east and north. They have at |
ed consistently with their professions. while |
did not. There's the difference, |
and q difference which led to widely different |
results. Gentlemen, these are stubborn facts |