Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-07-28
C.ITHOLICIS.N I.V.VOCR.rT OF
THR RIOTS.

one OF the most foolish fruits of the late
troubles in New York has been an attempt
to iaSten the responsibility for them upon
the Roman Catholic Church. We hear all
sorts # talk about the threatening attitude
" hich Catholicism presents to the freedom
of our country; we read of grand Prot
estant Leagu about to be formed which
shall Xterminate Papacy from the West
c rn Continent. But let these would-be re-
formers ponder one moment before they
inaugurate a new Protestant crusade. Is
the Church of Rome responsible for the ri
otOus conduct which recently occurred
On the contrary, its bishops, priests and
deacons unanimously warned their people
from any hostility toward a peaceful pro-
cession. Though they considered the Or
an gemen band of heretics, they still en-
forced ON every Catholic, by all the pains
and penalties Of the Church, a respect for
the universal right of American citizens to
parade the streets. For shame, then, on the
Protestant bigotry which lays the blame of
this affair AT the doors of "A holy Church |!
Religion, TO tell the truth, had little to do
with the troubles. The rioters were band
who only seized upon a false religious pre-
text 10 give them ground for their lawless-
ness. Lay not the blame, then, at the feet
of Il Church which, of all religious sects,
can alone restrain the ignorant, but thank
God that its influence was universally di-
rected to the side of peace and harmony.
In this connection we quote the remarks of
Father Preston of st. AIMS Church, New
York, made To reporter on Sunday last
81 have no rioters in my church. ! have
not man, woman or child in my parish
who countenance this disgraceiul affair in
any man ner whatever. believe, this be-
ing II free country, that our religious sect
should have, and according to the spirit
and letter of republican governments does
have the same rights as another. The or
ganiZers of and the participators in the riot
should not so disgrace any Church as To
claim allegiance TO ii. They call them
selves Roman Catholics. They are not
Roman Catholics They may have been
born aud baptized in our faith, but that Is
all they can claim. Good Catholics are not
rioters. Their greatest desire is peace
their mission is peace, not war and lawless-
ness. The riot was gotten up and carried
out purely by set of turbulent Irishmen
who live only to create trouble. Place
them in any position and they will breed
discomfort. As for the Orangemen, good
Catholics have no i'll will against them, but
uphold them in exercising what they deem
10 be their rights Though We may differ
with them religiously, weare not discount
eOus enough to show them insult nor VIC
lence la exercising the same privileges tina
we ourselves enjoy. am ready to admit
and 1t is a humiliating fact, that there an,
many PrOtestants who are inconsistent c
nough TO charge all the recent troubles t.
the account of the Roman Catholics. Blu
such a charge is unjust. There is no Prot
estant church in New York and no Prot
estant minister in the State who more thor
oughly denounces the element bringing
about the riot than my parish and myself
/ therefore hope you will do us the justice
to state these facts for the benefit of you
many Catholic readers, who feel that 1t h
the duty of the press to vindicate us from
the great wrong brought upon us by few
irresponsible rowdies who claim 10 be fight