Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-07
The FREE PRESS.
d.yDREW q. BOYD. Editor
IIassrs.rwn, Thursday, Feb. \, 1867.
Congress VS.. the FeHe.

Congress VS.. the rese.
ES-It was recently announ ced amongst
other items of FOREIGN news, that the Pope
had prohibited the public exercise OF the
Protestant worship within the walls of
Rome. It is wsll known that Protestant
worship was never permitted in Rome, I'M
til within the last few years certain For
eign ministers residing there wero allowed
to maintain Protestant chapel in connec-
ton with their embassy. This permission
for some reason best known to himself or
for no reason at all ifyou choose, the Pope
has seen fit to Withdraw.
Hero was grand opportunity for an
imals Of the Washington Managerie to
display themselves of which they were not
slo v to take advantage. Accordingly last
week, when the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill was under consideration,
Mr.. Williams of Pennsylvania moved to
strike out tho appropriation for minister
resident at Rome. That charming incar-
nati,n of decency, morality and the other
Christian virtues generally, Mr.. Thahdeus
Stevens, moved to amend by inserting
clause declaring it to be "beneath the dig
nifty of the American Government, and
against all justice to keep a representative
at Foreign court which did not permit
the free exercise of the Christian religion,
and that no portion Of the appropriation
should be paid to continue relations with
Rome"
Mr. Chanler Of New York said "lbat
upon the same principle - relations with
Turkey and Spain should be suspended"
and he might have added with Russia and
Swcdea likewise. In Russia the public
worship of the Cuholic church is forbidden,
and suc!. is tho religious tolerance of Swe-
den, that Catholic priest who sets foot
upon her soil is liable tc the seysrest pen
alties.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont said that "the
Pope of Rome was the ouly Foreign po-
tentate who recognized the Southern Con.
fcderacy." and he therefore favorod~the
motion. Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts de-
MED the truth of Dir. Morriil's new and
brilliant discovery, and complimehted the
Papal Government for its friendly course
towards this country. BY the way, we must
congratulate Gen. Banks, who appears to
have entirely gotten over the fears which
he entertained some ten years ago of the
Pope and his Vaccinations against the lib
critics of America. We suppose tke Genl
has become holder nan since his military
experiences of the last four or FIVE years;
or perhaps his Celtic constituency in Boston,
have induced him to modify his former
views and statements in regard to this
matter.
The motion striking out the appropriation
for a minister at Rome was finally alop ted.
Weused to think that Bailoy's "Festus
lin many respects one Of the most bril-
liant and remarkable poems CT the century,
offended our ileas of probability and pro-
priety, in carrying rather far the doctrine
OF Universal salvation. In that poem,
the Devil himself is represented as repen-
tant and finally saved; but really, siuce we
have lived to see That Stevens the
champion of Christianity AMI religion. we
begin to think that Bailey may have been
right after all
So look sharp Satan, there's some hope
yet!
.N.s--