The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-04-22
Our Principles and Position
From the Banner of the South.

Our PTlQclpleS anu T0Sitlon'
TFrom the Banner of the South.
The Public, on this our first appearance,
has the right to question US as to the prip-
ciples which we profess and the position
which we intend to hold. 1t is our duty,
frankly and clearly, to answer such cues
ton. In Religion, by the grace OF God,
and by conviction too deep for doubt, we
are Roman Catholics. This announce
ment, we know we'll, will deprive US Of the
patronage Of many, who, were we anything
else, would willingly give us their support;
Weil--be it Soft men are afraid to read
us because we are Catholics, we are willing
to do without their support, and that very
fear we accept as an homage PAID 70 tne
lmysteri, us power. of our Religion. For us
the teachings Of our Church, in the spirit
nal order, are the teachings Of God. AS
such we accept them, believe them. submit
to them, will live. by them-will die in
them and we would regard it as the high
est Of crimes on our part, to galnsay or
contravene them. With the light few
dence shining across their dim mysterious
mess, the doctrines Of our Faith are as clear
to US and as imperativeas a mathematical
dem onstration- and they are so real that,
were we to abate one i0ta Of that Faith, We
would be offering violence to our reason !;
for our Faith is intelligent submission to
the proved truths Of God-not an unrea.
! soning servility to the mere assertion OF
men. Holding, therefore, to the Faith Of
the Catholic Church, guiding our thoughts
and life according to its authoritative
teachings, we cannot, consistently with
conscience or duty, allow anything to ap-
tpear in our columns In opposition to the
| doctrioes or morals of our Church, Know
ing, too, what erroneous ideas are enter
tanned by many in regard to our Church,
we shall take frequent occasion to explain
them and to place them in their true and
|proper light before our readers. And yet,
though we are thorough Catholics. bigotry
is not part of our religion-prejudice is
no element OF our faith. We love the
truth deeply and dearly which we have
learned from the Church and on which rest
all our hopes for eternity, but we hate no
man who differs from Us. Hence, we shall
assail no man or men. Bitter religious
controversy we shall sedulously avoid as
productive Of more evil.than good. We do
not believe IN bitter words-they always
. bear bitter fruit Honest convictions:
wherever and in whomsoever found, We feel
bound to respect. Towards no one is il
our intention to assume an offensive attitude
unless indeed the fact of our being Catho
lies constitute, in itself, an offence. And
I as we treat Others SO do we wish, in all
! fairness, to be treated, If we do not as
sail, we do not wish to be assailed. II at
: tackled, we claim, and to the utmost will ex
ercise, the right Of defence. We shall not
: be the first to commence hostilities; but i
| commenced against ourselves we shall give
-Iblow for blow, nor shall we yield without
8 a manly struggle. as ;t
Our intentions, however, are pacific, ane
: we trust that our work shall be o work o
; peace. Indeed, we deprecate that religious
anjmosity which, but too frequently, is re
7 CARELESS of the laws Of courtesy ss wellas
! Of the spirit Of charity, and which is so APP
to sustitute abuse for argument and violen
vituperation for logic. We can confident
ly say that such shall never be our course
and we are sure that, when called upon te
. defend or discuss religious principles
charity shall control our thoughts, guild
: our pen and frame our sword, so that tn
: feelings of all, differ they ever so wide,
: from US, shall meet with respectful consid
e Grafton, and the feelings OF none be inten
tioually wounded. We hope to have man
It readers, especially through the Sontf
J. whose belief differs from our own, and "
>, feel that in justice to them and to curse
n YES we ought thus frankly explain our IT
!. ligious principles and position.
J II Politics, we shall be Independent
= We belong to no party. Mere partizan
y we shall never be, but, holding ourselvt
J alcof from party and party prejudices, y
u shall take the liberty to discuss oil publ
u questions, public measures and public me
II -Lot in their relations to party; but
N their relation with principles and the we
81 fare Of society. BY birth and sentimel
ei we ore Of the South. Bearer than oil 9TH
II interests, of this world, to us, are those
ID our own land. Over these interests
= shall watch. Firmly and faithfully '
=, shall defend them, and more SO now tha
le evsr when those Interests are in such so
ii need of brave defence and true offender
H. Believing, as we. do, that the South hi
he right, and reason, and reason, and print
n pie, on her side in the late war, we fe
ks that we should not let the traditions, al
en- memories and glories of the struggle pa
On into oblivion. .Wemust keep them ali
in and aglow-we must keep pass them dov
~ we must make our children proud
or them. There is not Q day nor q deed
n the struggle Of which We may feel ashame
an We owe it to the pastto preserve the sto
it. Of our struggle, and the future will not +
I'M give us five fail to record it. And
n recording it We must not use words
e. apology, as though we doubted OF the rigl
NV eousness of our cause;, but, plainly a
ed fearlessly, true to ourselves, to our eau
rerI to our country--true to the dust OF I
a dead at our feet--true to the spirits
Az those who were 50 true to us--true to
nd living in their terrible loss true to
= Future which is coming down to ask
"a. us the vindication7 Of our course and
nc story Of our past-we must declare, q
%. still declare, and never cease declar
m ,o in words as brave as our warriors were Il
in the dread struggle in which our r
went down with not stain Of dishonor
the virgin purity Of it's folds, Justice ste
h on the side Of the men, who wore Gr
And Justice has not changed sides beca'
they have been defeated. Unconqueredla
unconquerable, Justice is still with
on conquered. The success of our cause