The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-02-02

religious body for many centuries
past. The extraordinary powers Of
their Bishops aided them in exer-
cising undue influences over the com
munitiess around them, and this in
itself was a thing to be avoided as
much as possible. Foreigners coming
here have to obey and come under our
State laws, and, let Churches do the
same thing - u-ilti ~ SlfA
Then again, he Yentured to say that
there is no church desiring the pas
sage of this bill but the Roman Cath
Ole church The billais against, the
great principles Of our free institu-
tons and in strict accordance with the
history of that church from, time inn
memorial, in that they Have always
tibeen asking fOrpower. But he would
say no hard things against our Catho7
he .friends-though opposing their re-
| llglen, and, as a general thing their
politics. Senators should look at this
thing in its proper light and see
whittier we aretending when we con-
slider this class of legislation IA
Mr.. Hanna had not given the bill
the examination he would like, and
was sorry certain Senators would lose
no opportunity to assault the Demo-
cratic party. This is question pure
| ly OF religious character, and should
be viewed as a question of right and
of public justice. The Roman Church
has no Vestymen and no trustees
why, he knew not. He spoke In
praise of their army chaplains and
sisters of mercy. The bill proposed
to confer upon bishops just what
power outlaws now confer upon YES
trymen of he Episcopal Church. As
the Catholic Church now stands, it
stands in this State outlawed upon
this question. Unable to see any
public. dsterment therefrom, he ar
gued in fiVor of the bill. o lc-JBk3dl
Mr.. Mes remarked that he had
never had an opportunity to examine
the bill till within a few moments.
tie was DESTROYS to give to all re-
! ligious denominations equal privileges
and sthelargest liberty, butsin looking
into tie bill it occurred to him that
the principle of the bill was inconsist4
ent win our republican idea. In the
case q all other religious bodiesgthe
trustees and officers holding and con-
trolling propertyqare elected byvote
of thti persons intrusted : but if he
propely understood this bill, the title.
to, ard control of all property is vestLI'
eel Exclusively In a Single Individual
and his successor in Office, and that
Indi9dLuaE not elected by or RESPONSE
bic 70 the people. but appointed and
subpet to removal only by foreign
potmtate. 1t was far easier to grant 1
such vast powers than to reclaim
them Mr.. Niles discussed the sub
Inc. at some length. 5s1aj .6eb ~ s.
Mr. Cullen, The fact that this bill
Is in direct violation of the great |
)ripciple of -FOUR government wasaI
clearly shown in the able argument of |
he Senator from Laporte, TMr.l
Niles If it passed, it would beir-
'epealable, and while opposing it |
heartily, he would edo no injustice to
ihe Catholic Church. The church I
hould conform to the laws and not /
he State to the church. a ff
The Bill finally passed to its third
eading, It will, however, meet with /
Ierious opposition before it passes the
Senate, as it was evidently introduced
without full understanding of its
and the objections against
It appear SO weightyiEthat discussion
will 5endanger its final passage 1t is
matter Of grave Importance, and its
effect should be fully canyassed before
he Bill becomes a law. re g I. z 8s.' J.