The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-12

reared in that church, and thoroughly
loyal TO its government, doubt not that
they are sincere in their adherence to It,
without any thought Of the dangerous ten.
denotes Of It's political character. I res.
pect them accordingly, although 1 may
not endorse what may think erroneous
In their faith. From my knowlenge Of
themembers OF that church, among whom
are some OF my relatives, and many Of my
very dear friends, believe that there are
hundreds OF thousands belonging to its
communion who are eminently deserving
Reconsideration, affection and support.
And am happy TO believe that, Of the
number Of the citizens Of Wheeling en-
braced within It's pale with whom I have
the pleasure Of personal acquaintance,
there are many who will sustain my pre-
viously formed opinion. In my pulpit, in
preachers meetings and In private con-
versatiOn, l have always Disseminated be-
tween Roman Catholics as religionists and
Catholic Romanlsts as upholderS Of tenn
poral power, which, eXcmpting the clergy
from secular authority, would subject tile
nation to its dominion. l"Futher" HeCker
in the Catholic World for July 1870, in his
article on "Tbe Catholic ofthe nineteenth
century" 50 well gives the programme
that l am almost inclined to quote 1t en-.
tire, | name one or two points.
/. The American Catholic is To WELD
his vote for the purpose Of securing
Catholic ascendancy In this country. ''''
3. Legislation must bc,governed by the
will Of God unerringly indicated by the
Pope. -'''
s. Education must be controlled by
Catholic authorities; and, under education,
the opinions Of the individual and the ut.
terances Of the press are included, and
wrong opinions are TO be punished by the
secular arm under authority Of the church,
even to the extent Of war and blOOdshed.
This "Father Hecker' Is well known,
and the periodical alluded u especially
endorsed by the Pope. aa i'
To secure the full play Of the temporal
power, "a complete system Of espionage is
absolutely necessary. And without any
fault on the part Of the deserving classes
so warmly defended by the Bishop, the
confessional can be, and firmly believe
has been and Is employed to this end. l
think that 1 am fully understood here,
and so will pass on. ~, .Hu' q ts
II. Bishop Whelan says that my state.
ment is false. He repudiates it, and de-
clares;that he is willing to confirm his
Reputation by the solemnity Of an oath.
1t strikes me that my venerable
friend is little too ready to take
an oath, especially as every Christians
word is supposed to be as good as his
oath. w. TO ON J.h ~
While may be willing to accept any.
assurance from Mr.. R.V. Whelan, whom
have heard OF as being very polite and
agreeable gentleman, and from DR.. r. V.
Whelan, who Is represented to be faith
full Bishop in the Roman branch ofthe one
true Catholic Church, Richard Vincent
Wbelan, Bishop Of Wheeling" as IN
ambassador Of the Pope, will excuse me
il l remind him that the Council Of Con-
stance decreed against keeping faith with
heretics. .4e TlMd a.a
Again, the Bishop says thatthe priest
is bound TO retain all the secrets OF the
oniessional-hence the falsIty Of my i'm
piled charge. He will further excuse me
if call his attention to Hrrecognized
principle Ur his church, viz: "The supe.
riOr, as the vicar Of God, in place Of God,
RENTS toa man, the debt OF plight
ed promise" So that, il need be,
tue Pope, or his lcgate. may dissolve the
obligation Of any vOw-even that which
is supposed To bind the conlessor to the
confessed. And Bcllarmine has said that,
II IL treason be known to q priest in con-
lessiOn, he may in general words give no
tice 10 piOus and Catholic Prince, but not
10 hereto. Lthink that this little state
ment will help the public the more accu-
rately TO weigh the Bishops statement,
and the more certainly to determine Its
force. BIZ. f..
III. What the Bishop says about me,
does not amount to much. / fancy that
his manner Of saying 1t will blunt the
point materially. huye no controversy
with him. In fact, shall be glad 10
stand by his side, il he will renounce the
temporal power, and the intallibility dog
ina, in all efforts and measures for tho pub
lie good. Hence l shall end my part OF
the discussion with this letter, and shall
continue TO include him in my Sunday
morning prayers in behalf Of all the min.
listers OF our city. o.. l..-.l i-f q
". The Bishop says, II dismiss with
pity the man, etc" How great the
change! N0t0, l go from his presence
with pity. Once l would have gone to
the stake for tho very fact Of disagreement
with him. Ia ...Gna- aOrta-
But he dismisses me-sends me away.
Not so l. l hold him in love. Justice
and love for the Roman and all true
Catholics from me- And full justice to
Rome from the Italians.
HENRY G. WEsTwooD,
Pastor Fourth St. n. E. Church.
Wheeling, W Va. Dec. 10, 1870.