The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-22
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GIafLrrsrtzAt meeting Of the Catholic
hsidih the Church of Saint Law
Erenss,ii in this town,np Sunday the 18th instant,
af,er' Mass, he following protest and rcaolu-
tions in relation to the occupation of the Papal
Territory by the King Of Italy, prepared before
hand by . committee Of gentlemen, appointed
for the purpose, we're submitted by our worthy
and Beloved pastor, Rev. A. F. McNEAL and
unanimously adopted:
Whsreas, Ou- Divine tofd Is now asleep and
permits "tbe Barque Of Peter" to be bufotted,
and tossed, by violent and fearful tempest. the
powers of darkness neanwhile combining and
striving With might aud main, 20 shipUreck that
sturdy and imperishable vessel that has already
.weathered, O. aAkheassaa -stosms, -eod sAsziSsdr
countless perils. We, the Catholics Of Sumter,
constituting . portion of the passengers and
crew of that goody ship, desire 10 unite With
throughout the world) in awakening our slum-
herring Muster, and invoking Him to arise to
still tie Wild winds 'an6 chain the demo ms who
hays enessed from thsbottonless sbyss,and are
lSshiag the, fteted waves 10 uibre, relentless
fury And whereas; the great "Shepard VI
souls" has for 0 moment, withdrawn His pres
ence, and suffered His Fold invaded BY ravening
wolves in human shape, namely: the ex COM
muujceted and robberiK King of 1tslty, and bis
Piednontess bandittf,' who have ,nsulted 1.-THE
Vicar of Christi in the person of the sovereign
PontiF, our Holy Father. Plus the ninth wrest-
cd from him "the Patrimony Of Saint Peser,"
tho heritage of the Church and the common
property Of the faithful coDfscating the Same to
the use /. the State; plundered the churches OF
the capital Of ehristendon b their ornaments and
sacred vessels; committed numberless other
saerieges; and now 6ll the measure Of their
inieuities by holding the successor Of the "Fish-
srman ofGaliiee," . prisoner in his OWE paisee
of the Vatican. We, sheep and lambs of the
same holy Roman fold, denoance the foul out
rage upon cur venerable Head; protest against
the spoliatiou Of our beloved Mother, the spouse
Of Christ; brand a. crimes against religion and
civilization. the acts Of these vandals who have
taken advantage ofthe misfortunes and helpless
ness Of "the eldest daughter Of the Church." to
prosecute their uefarious desigugL and consum'
mato oiheir diAboiieal 0oik; and record in con-
Function with two bun'lre and 6fty millions OF
voters in the great ballot-box Of fchristendom our
suffrage against thei- justice and legality And
wbeecas, We fufthermore hold and maintain. bat
the States Of Tho Church, tie Patriniony Of Saint
Peter, (not only that portion Of the same recent
| ly seized by Victor Emmanuel and his myrmi-
dons, but every foot Of territory ever wrested
| from the Sovereign PontiD are the property Of
| the Catholic community, throaghest She world,
the right and title to which is vested in uss the
| Holy Father acting rs our trustee, aud holding
| il for our use and benefit. Ne, as his children
and words, members Of his family, solemnly and
earnestly protest against the violence, fraud aud
usurpa,iou of the Piedmontese Government, and
demand its withdrawal from the capitol Of the
Christian world, from our fathers house and the
estate ofhis childSep, srd W Pe0lye
| Eirsh That the occhpetion of.she Papal Terri
tory, BY the King Of Italy, is foul wrong and
| usnrpatio0- f>..
Second. That such occupation is likewise .
sacrilegc Of the most heinous and grevious char
ectsr, and disgrscsful to- descendant Of the
illustrious house Of Savoy, which has given to
the Church many bright and precious jewels.
Third. That as dutiful children Of a kind pa
rent, though far away from our fathers house,
the centre Of Catholic unity, We deeply and sin.
cerely lament the weighty afliction that has
fallen upon him, in bis old age, and tender him
! our heartfelt synpathies.
Fourth. That we regard the cloud which now
overhangs the Papal See, as only transient
| shadow which will soon clear away, and leave
"the chair Of Peter" more grspd. beautiful and
glorious tEnr before rs Temporary otseofs ten.
I Fifth. That the Holy See IS eternal that the
sovereign Pontiffs viii continue to reign there
| till the end OF time; That tue powers OF oa'A
ness will assal il in vain and that "the gates Of
hell will never prevail against it,"
Sixth. .Ttst We frnIy believe the Mestes will
sooa awake, rebuks the vi1d, 'snd lail the storm
that now RACES with so much vio.en &c cn the sea
OF the world, and tosses Peters Barque" with
so much fury.
Seventh. That We will earnestiy invoke the
Master to arise, stretch forth His hand, manifest
HIS power ard Divinity, and rescue the mper-
ishab!e ship on which our eternal interests are
! embarked.