Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-18

60S YOeSVooAVu VI VIZ &sCuSAAA ouu AOCaA
governments and that she is arbitrary
and tyrannical when in power. Sec
ondly, By strengthening this prejudice
to strengthen their present bold on the
Government; to prevent Catholics from
being elected to Office and facilitate
their aggressive efforts to Protestantize
Catholic children through the medium
Of the public schools.
The preamble and resolution passed
by Congress on the 18th day Of Octo-
Der, 177S, as quoted by MIR. F. as fol-
lows, suit US exactly:
WaEREAs true religion and good morals are
tho only solid foundation Of religious liberty
and happiness,
Resolred, That t. be and il hereby earnestly
recommended to the several States to take the
most efeetusl means for tho encouragement
thereof.
What does Mr.. F. mean by saying
that $50 far as religion, morality, and
knowledge are necessary to good gov
eminent, they should be tolerated, not
outstanding any rights Of conscience
to the contrary, &c?" Would he hint
that tho Catholic Church is anti Repub-
1icam and, therefore, should be suppress
ed, or that the Baptist or some other
form of Professionalism should be made
tho State religion or would tho con-
summation Of both ideas suit him bet
ter still. I oertsinly think from all
appears nces that he is not alone in
entertaining those opinions.
"The rights Of conscience are no
more than our absolute rights which
are powers Of acting as one thinks st
without any restraint or control, unless
by the laws of Nature" I would cor
rect Mr.. F. by inserting the word God
for " Nature"
"The Roman Catholic conscience
arrays itself against the public schools
and, if the whole were toll, against the
freedom Of the press, Of speech. and
every genius Of our government. W.
acknowledge their sincerity, &C.
Would to God we could acknowledg,
the sincerity Of all who agree with Mr.
F. in repeating the above statement
against SO loyal and patriotic portion
Of population as Catholics have proved
themselves to be. Of course we believ.
Mr.. lis sincere, though it is very diff
cult to account for such mistake in al
Intelligent mind in the face of sucl
facts as have occupied a conspicuou.
place in our national history during ant
since the late wa:.
"But when they array themselves
against the institutions of this countr,
and assail the safety of the State, &C.
The above is nothing more nor lea
than an etfusion Of over warm zeal
founded on Misrepresentation. Thos'
who understand the subject know tha
Catholics are Is loyal to our govern
meut and as good citizens as those wht
differ from them in religious views and
seem to entertain serious doubts as t
whether they should be tolerated.
Mr.. F. cites the case Of the Atheist
the Jew, and the Hindoo as deprived
Of some Of their pet privileges, and
seems to think the Catholic may in likt
manner deserve restriction in his reli
sious tendencies. This is the whole
drift of Mr.. F.'s article. He seems t
have terrible dread Of Catholic powc,
and intolerance. I believe he thinks
that the Catholics are increasing will
alarming rapidly, hence some desperate
effort on the part Of Protestants shou]e
at once be made to avert the dreadful
fate Of Protestants in falling into thu
hands of the Pope and has 1egtons.
l believe MIR. +. agrees with Senator
Wilson, Of Massachusetts, in his doc
trim. Of the new departure for tn.
Republican party, which aims at the
uni6cation of I'LL tho Evangelical
churches, the Capitalization Of the gen.
eral government and the nationaliza.
ton Of the public schools. Should