Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-07-09
The American B.tt.iion ser tho Pop,


The Anaerican Battalion for the Pope
1t will be. seen by the subjoined protest
that the four Catholic Arohbishops of the
United States have defined their position in
reference to the raising of troops in the
Union for the Pope.
OFEIcIAL-The publication in the news
papers of circular from Rome, to the effect
that the Holy Father had consented to ac-
cept the services of "a battalion of one thou
sand men, to be raised in the United States,
on condition that the said men shall be care
fully chosen, and he equipped and supported
for three years. by the Catholics of these
States, seems to call for some official notice
from the prelates to whom the circular is ex-
clusively addressed, and to whose discretion,
IS guardians Of the interest of the Church in
this country, the subject Is committed. For
this reason, and for the purpose, at the same
time, of satisfying inquiries which have reach
ed us from various quarters, we deem it pro-
per thus publicly to define our position with
reference TO matter of SO much Importance;
and in so doing, we have the best reasons for
knowing that we do but speak not alone our
own sentiments, but those also of our veneer
able brethren in the episcopacy.
1t is needless for US to say how sincerely
we desire to uphold and protect, as far as in
US lies, the temporal Independence of the
Holy Father, being persuaded how essential
1t is to the free and unfcttered excrcisepof his
spiritual supremacy in the government Of
the Universal Church. Yet the proposal 10
raise and equip an American battalion did
not originate with US. AS far as We can
learn, il has emanated from and been per-
sistently urged on the military authorities at
Rome by some party or parties who have as
sumed to represent us, not only without our
or nth nv Ittt with s1ttr
knowledge; and what renders this the more
remarkable, Is the fact that the gentleman
who has succeeded in securing, in advance,
the appointment of lieutenant colonel, ia
have command OF the proposed battalion, Is
one who, we feel bound to say, does not en-
joy, and is not entitled to enjoy, our conf
dence; especially in position of SO higl
responsibility and trust.
II he has found encouragement and sup
port from one or two journals edited by Cath
ole lsymen which have given place to his i'll
advised correspondence, this docs no
strengthen his claim inasmuch as the journ
ais referred to are not to be recognized as re
liable opponents of catholic views or senti
ments, still less as discreet or commendahl'
advocates Of the catholic cause, Besides. tn
project, as proposed, with the condition
which are annexed 10 it, cannot. in on
judgment, he successfully carried out al,
any duc1npt 10 40 SO WDuld, We aIQrtuelu
instead of serving the cause Of our venerabl
and beloved Holy Father, prove detrimenta
70 It.
1t il not necessary to enter into furthe
details it will be enough to add that VIC sli
have reason to know that pecunary aid
more needed at this moment than militar
aid. and will be more acceptable from III
We shall continue, therefore, as heretofore
TO urge our generous and faithful Catholi
children to contribute abundantly, accordiii
10 their means, for the support OF our con
mon father, who will employ their oiierin.
in such manner as may to him seem bcs
not doubling that, by our so doing, we sha
meet his warm approval and merit his apo
tolic benediction,
Given at Mount St. Marys College, En-
mittsburg, June 9th, 1865.
N. ]. Spalding, Archbishop of Bstimor
j. b. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati
John McCloskey. Archbishop of New y or
Peter Richard Kenrick, Archbishop of 5
Louis. per Archbishop of New York.
N. B.-The Archbishop Of ST. Louis, N
having been able to attend the meeting er
powered the Archbishop of New York,
writing to sign this document for him, ha
ing been fully apprised of what would be
contents.