American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-08


letter, dated Rome, Dec. Sth, 1864, (pub-
lished in the weekly ". Y. Tribune, Jan.
21st, 1869 in which he says: " Actua-
ted by an idea of social government SO
absolutely false. they do not hesitate far
ther to propagate the erroneous opinion,
very hurtful to the safety of the Catholic
Church and of souls, and termed deliri-
um by our predecessor, Gregory XVI, of
excellent memory, viz: liberty of con-
science and of worship is the right of ey-
e man." This is not only thrust at
religious liberty, but also blow at civil
freedom.
If a Christian government, its morality
and religion must be defended. This is
essential to its very life and happiness.
No scheme of government ever SO per-
feet, wi bring with it, the ends Of a
good government, peace and happiness,
unless it is conducted in the fear cf God +,
and according to the principles of a true
Christi, n morality. God governs heav-
en- and earth and this great theocracy,
men can never set aside. The various
forms Of government are equally pleasing
to Him, if they but maintain His true
spiritual kingdom in them all His law
within the law, as a wheel within wheel.
God never changes the outward form of
any government; but his. spirit modifes
them all, that they work together for the
glory of His name, and for the real hap
piness of the people. Therefore its pure
aud undefiled religion must be defended
against the inroads of unbelef, inideli-
ty, and against such vices as the monster
GUS vice OF slavery, and against all in-
morality, profanity, dishonesty and all
ungodliness.
Agpin Caesar must be defended against
temporal want, an empty treasury. Those
who share Caesars protection in person
and property, and partake Of the many
blessings of good government are also
justly called upon to share its burthens
aud dangers For the support of the
government men ought to be willing to pay
tribute, tax, labor, and be willing to prac
tice some self denial. This was implied
by the penny shown to Christ, which rep
resented labor, and He meant to say ::
"Render this unto Caesar also;" and no
man, especially Christian, can evado
This duty and please God. Not to do so,
weuld be dishonesty to Caesar ingratitude,
a petty rebellion on the basis of vicious,
covetousness.
But finally, Caesar must be defended
against his domestic and foreign foes
rebels at home, enemies abroad. This is
only another form Of labor In peace
labor in the form of taxes alone is needed I;
but in war, personal labor as soldier, for
he common defense, is additionally ne
ccssary. This is often perilous duty to
perform; but nevertheless an honorable
duty in all christian men for it belongs
to that class of duties, of which Christ
has said : "Render unto Caesar the things
that be Caesars" A course of conduct
the reverse of this, would show dishones-
ty, cowardice, offeminacy, a lack Of Chris
tian gratitude, from the fact Of having
shared Caesars days of prosperity, inpeace
and plenty; but when his evil days came,
and his very life was imperiled, then to
desert him. The Christian in his rela-
ton 10 Christ. is alone to use the sword of
the spirit, and Fl !ht the good fight Of faith;
but in his relations to Caesar, who holds
the sword of temporal justice, he is, with
him, to fight the battles of the land, and
like him and with him, "to be a terror to
evil doers and praise to them who do
we'll"
"And Jesus said unto them: Render
unto Caesar the things that are Caesars"
If these Jewish people had hardened to
these admonishing words of Jesus, and
had laid them to heart, and carried them
out in their lives, they would have been
spared the greatest calamity, probably,
the world has ever witnessed, and history
has recorded, namely, the destruction OF
Jerusalem forty years after, in the year
seventy-one, by this same Caesar, and the
dispersion and annihilation of the Jewish
people as a distinct nation. They were
still a nation then, although subservient
to the Roman power; but they did not
] repent, and carried their rebellious spirit
towards God and towards Cesar, SO far,
that Gods fiery wrath was poured out
upon them, aud now, for nearly eighteen
hundred years, they have had no land,
no country, no nationality strictly theil
own but are disbursed among all nations
Surely then, we and other nations, oughi
to lay lay this lesson to heart, and render