The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-01
False Witness.

it's last issue gives circulation to an article
which it takes from another paper called
the Obserpey, and said to be written by q
certain DR.. Thompson. The Advocate does
not say any thing pro or con, but makes it.
seif responsible for the statements and
charges to which it gives currency. This
gentleman writes from Berlin az follows
concerning the designs and efforts of Cath.
olics in the United States:
"There are three ways in which Romanists
are there seeking to employ the State as an
agent and supporter of their church: 1: By
| in rivalry with tho public schools. 2. By pro-
curing legislative grants to the church institu-
| lions. By claiming distribution of Offices
to Catholics as such, thus introducing the
baleiui practice OF recognizing religious COM
muniops as political powers, to be negotiated
with and placated in the administration of
government.
Asto State aid for schools, what must the
public think of the candor of journal
which advances this as n serious charge,
when it's own denomination-the Methodist
through it's recent General Conference,
held in Louisville, most forcibly aud une-
quivocaily recommended the very policy
here held up to reprobation. Does the
Adrocate mean that it would be right for
the Methodists to seek State aid for their
schooie, and wrong for Catholics to do like
themf Or, does it ignore and reject the
action of its General Conferencef If 90,
there seems to be some lack Of candor, for
it has published in it's columns the details
Of the action of that Conference on this
subject and has never expressed shade of
-disapprobation thereat.
AS to legislative grants, (of money, we
presume), what Protestant eect is there
which does not figure on the appropriation
lists of Legislatures far more extensively
than the Catholic Church, considering the
Importance of the different institutions
aided While Protestants are importuning
Legislatures for appropriations, shall it be
reckoned against Catholics, as a wrong and
peril to the State, that they do the same
A distribution of offices to Catholics as
such! Where is this done 2 Catholics form
@ majority in this city, aud probably
large majority in the State is such thing
heard Of here What man was ever put
forward in this State or city for any Office,
as Catholic, or because the Catholics de-
handed the oficsa AS absurd and false as
the charge is when applied to Louisiana, 60
is it elsewhere.
The Catholic Church does not wish to be
held, or to be, "political power" When,
however, it is dragged unwillingly into the
arena of politics, its members ought to
show, though they are generally very re-
miss in doing it, that they have q political
influence which must DO respected. Let
Protestant, Jew or Heather be legislator or
Office holder; the Church has nothing to
do with it, and cares nothing about it, 80
long as they make no war on her. Let
them do her and her children justice, and
she is perfectly satisfied. She has no long
ing for the glory and the pomp Of worldly
power. On the contrary, she is as hostile
to the blind ambition and avarice of the
world as she is to the brutal appetites of the
flesh or the self worship of the Devil. -
But it would be absurd to raise clamor
that the Catholic religion must keep out of
politics, when at the same time it is being
dragged into politics by those who raise
the clamor. You persecute the Church by
legislation, and the Church must not influ.
ence legislation in it's own defence; you
put forward candidates who will tax Cath
olics iniquitously and Catholics must not
vote for men who pledge themselves to do
justice. If they do, if they insist
on pledge from candidates that their
rights as Catholics shall be respected, You
say that religion is being brought into poi
tiles; If the Catholic Chnrch dare to pro-
test, through the votes of her children,
against illegal persecution, you accuse her
Of intending to influence the politics of the
country. From the days of Christ to this,
his Church has always been, as he was, as
sailed with false testimony.