The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-01-18
ROMAN CATHOLICS AND THE POPE

Our brethren of the Roman Catholic sect
are in considerable excitement about their
Pope, or, as they call him, 81 the Holy Father. -
They have held public meetings in most of
the great cities of the United States, and
also of Great Britain and Ireland. These
meetings have been attended and presided over
by the chief dignitaries of their Church, and
much pains taken to bring their case under
public attention. In these meetings the most
violent denunciation is hurled at the head of
Victor Emmanuel, and the mass of Italians
adhering to him, constituting at least nine
tenths Of the whole people. In this meeting
held in Richmond, the Bishop calls even King
William of Prussia, NOW Emperor of united
Germany an "upstart, and asks concern
ing the measures taken to make Rome the
Capital of United Italy-"Is there man
whose breast does not burn with indignation
at such an outrage" Mr.. Kelley claims
"that the voice of the upright and true peO-
pie of oil the earth viii be raised, and will
not be raised in vain against this movement.
Englishmen who might not approve of Prus-
STA snnexing Holland, Belgium or Luxem
bourg to Germany, but do approve of this
measure in Italy, Mr., Dooley brands as Z" ar
rant hypocrites. Nine-tenths of all that
people then must be hypoerites, and like
proportion in this country In the largest
meetings held at the North, the opinion was
expressly ayOwed in the resolutions adopted
as well as in the speeches delivered, that this
movement in Italy to make Rome its capital,
ought to be a matter of civil interference
on the part of other nations.
We make no complaint that Roman Cath
-ohes should hold meetings to condole with
the Pope aud with one another in their trou-
bles. But it is manifest that if Roman
Catholics were a majority of the population
of this country, and pervaded by the senti-
ments Just mentioned, we should be speedily
involved in European wars. Is it not re-
markable that any Americans should declare
their religious rights invaded unless the pc.
htical rights of other people are destroyed?
1t was our purpose to enter more fully this
week into an examination of the grounds on
which this attempted agitation is placed.
All wrong action is in itself to be regretted,
but may be often overruled for good. We
are persuaded these meetings will result in
good. There are sentiments openly avOwed
in them which our people are slow to believe
Roman Catholics really hold; nay, which
multtudes of their own people would repu-
date, aud which they do not think their
Church and their priests hold. 1t is good
thing to have such radical and miscellaneous
errors openly avOwed, where they really ex-
ist, for they can be dealt with as they de-
serve. Wishing our readers to judge fer
themselves, we devote so large a part of
our columns to a report Of the sayings and
doings of this meeting, that no more space
is left for comment upon them at this time.
But faithful criticism of positions here as
sumed and principles involved, is not only
our privilege, but is an imperative duty to
the public. This We shall endeavor to dis
charge without fear, favor or affection. -
All that is most Dear in civil and religious
liberty is bound up in these questions.