The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1870-04-03
Amendment of the Missouri Constitution-Biow
Against Catholics. -

On the 4th ult a resolution was introduced
in the Senate of Missouri to amend the Consti
tuition of that State, the obvious intent OF
which was to strike blow at Catholics Mr.
H. j. Spaunhurst, a member from st. Louis, in
exposing this nefarious project spoke as fol.
lows:
Senators undertake here to class the Catho-
lie Church-of which am an hum BILE member
and in its teachings and the truth of its doc
trines believe as firmly as do in my exist
ence-as sect This will not admit on this
floor without protestin g against such nonsense
The term is an insult to large, intelligent and
most worthy class of the citizens of this State.
Strange that grave Senators i'll this enlighten-
ed nineteenth century are no better acquainted
with the English language. Webster, that
standard authority of the English language in
America, says: "Sect-a denomination which
dissepts from the established church, "Secta-
rian-one of q sect one of party in religion
which has separated itself from the establish
ed church" 1t is part cut off from a whole
presume it will not be denied that history and
tradition prove, and that the general accept
ance by all nations of the civilized world is,
that the Saviour came into the world to save
mankind, and that he established a Church
upon the earth. That established Church still
exists in our day, and all others differing from
it are the sects, because they cut loose from it,
and are accountable to themselves for their
course.
After referring to the resolutions, and the
debates pending the adoption of the Constitu-
ton which it is now sought to amend, Mr.
Spaunhurst continues:
The object aimed a. by this article in the
Constitution was to check the progress of the
Catholic religion in this State in connection
with the ron-clad oath and remember from
the reading the debates held in that Conven-
tion that the Roman Catholics We're freely
mentioned. The vast property held by the
Catholic Bishop and the like was brought into
the debate, though those who spoke loudest
ought to have e>known that the property is the
property of the Church-the property of the
Catholic COMMUNICATES title of which is vest
ed in the Bishop and his successor as Bishop,
and not the property of the individual. But it
effected its purpose foe the time. Fears and
prejudices then as now overruled mems better
Judgment. There are Senators upon the floor
that were members of that Conventio and
ask them if the harsh provisions of the Consti-
tuition were not mainly aimed at the Roman
Catholics and their institutions. / trust YOU
will deny it if not true. There is no reason
able ground for the resolution, because under
the form of our Government and Constitution
religion must take care of itself and am in
favor of each gaining what ground and pro-
gress 1T can on its merits; aud assert here
that If there is ever danger of uniting Church
and State gentlemen speak of and fear, that
danger is not from Catholics but from sectari-
ans, and the late school bill passed by the Sem
ate look to me as u step-though for the time
apparently remote-in that direction 1 ex-
pect 1t will be brought here in argument that
in European countries Church and State are to
some extent united, but it must be remember
ed that there they have different forms of gov
ernment from ours. Under the American Gov
ernment union can never be had if we be
true to the principles embodied in the Consti.
tntlon, and am too much attached to the prin-
ciples of freedom of conscience to permit nv
self ever drifting in the channel Of religious
bigotry. But truth and justice will prevail, no
matter how legislation affects it for time.