The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-12-17
# UWt IEt ". 7 IWW,
Gen. Grant as the Anti-CathOlic Candi-
date for President.

Gen. Grant rs the Anti-CathOlic Candi-
date for President.
The delivery of the latest message of Gen
Grant to Congress marks one of the most
important epochs in the partisan history of
the United States. 1t places the author of
that message squarey before tie country,
not only as a candidate for third term of
the office of President, but as candidate On
the platform for the use of that word seems
TO have become alowable-of antagonsm to
the growing power of the Catholic Church.
He stands forth now in bold relief offering
himself for the Misunderstanding the
nomination-of that portion of the people,
as yet unorganized into n political party,
but which he believes strong enough to elect
their nominee, who will be controlled by
their Protestant principles, prediction, or
prejudices, in casting their votes
Gen. Grant is an ambitious man. Hclovcs
power, and hates to relinquish it. At the
same time he is not blind or stupid; and the
manifestations of hostility to any mans oc.
cupying the office of President more than
two terms haYe been too general and too de-
cided for him not to perceive and duly est.
mate them. He saw that nothing but some
extraordinary influence could overcome the
reverence of the pit ople for the traditions of
the past on this subject. The feeling SEEM
ed fixed in the heart of the nation, and it
could only be displaced by rousing u strong
CT passion.
What could do this? The financial cues
ton was important but it was cold, and
could not kindle enthusiasm. A war with
Mexico on account of the yeNations on our
Texan frontier? 1t would look too much
like goirg TO battle because we were annoy
ed by q flock of mosquitoes. A war with
&c cnl,n ,,,g;,,,
and of larger proportions. In This, however,
he was probably uutwitted by the diplomacy
of Mr.. Fish and Mr.. Cushing. Moreover, it
is q bone to which, with the tenacity of Il
bull dog, he still hangs on-for lie tells us
he may, not improbahy, soon send in nnoth-
er and different message on that subject
So that, we may reasonably conclude, il the
effort to fan into flames The cmbers of reli-
gious hatred and strife shall fail, the possible
potency of war with Spain, to secure a
third term, may yet he invoked.
But after weighing in his own mind, with
that intensity of interest which arises from
an overweening love of power, the chances
offered by the several movements which it
lay open to him TO make, Gen. Grant has
come deliberately to the conclusion that TO
stir up the latent hostility between the Prot
estant and Catholic churches OF the country
was the plan which held oul the most en-
couraging promises for his own reelection.
Having once decided upon this policy, he
has entered into it, not with the soft step
and hating gait of timid practised politi-
clan, but with the undaunted courage and
the martial tread OF military commander
He has taken his position in no hesitaling or
doubtful terms. He stands forth before the
world to-day, as clearly, as squarely, MS de-
terminedly opposed to the Catholic Church,
as he was in the time of the war to the rebel
army
1t may be said that Gen. Grants first utter
ance on the subject was little coaked-
We think, however, it was very plain. And
he took great pains to make it. This was at
the meeting OF The Army Of the Tennessee
at Dcs Moines, Iowa, on the thirteenth day
of September last. In all his life, Gen. Grant
had never before made speech of any con
siderable length. On this occasion he wrote
out his remarks in full, and the style is so
peculiarly his as TO preclude the possibility
of their having been composed by any one
else. On that occasion he said:
"lf we are to have another contest in the
near future of our national existence pre-
dict that the dividing line will not be Mason
and DiXon's, but between patriotism and In
telligence on the enc side, and superstition,
ambition and ignorance on the other"
lhcsC WOlliS, SpOhcu ny II LCdlouS, UOI 10
say bigoted, Protestant, under the circum-
stances meant that if we are to have another
contestant Gen. Grant had been referring
TO the contest of the rebellion-it will be,
not between the North and the South, but
between Protestanis and Catholics. Such a
contest, he intimates, may take place in the
"near future" In the near future, we all
understand, lies the next Presidential cleo
tion and that of course is the time when he
means it will take place.
In his present message to Congress, Gen.
Grant is still more outspoken, and leaves
open no possibility of msapprchending his
meaning. He recommends a constitutional
amendment 10 insure the education of all the
children, in every State, and thus guard
against the control of "priestcraft' is
his word Prestcraft, as thus used by him,
means the cunning influence of II Church,
and it certainly does not mean the Protes-
tant Church. 1t is, in substance and effect
and words could not make it any plnincr-a
recommendation of an amendment of the
Constitution to protect our liberties against
what he deems the insidous influence of the
Romish Church.
We cannot look upon such q recommend
alton, coming, as it docs, from one who was
formerly the successful leader of all our ar
mics, from one who is now passing his sew
enth year in the Office of President of the
United States, to which he has been twice
elected by very large majority of the peo
pie, as unimportant. Should Gen. Gran
succeed in stirring up such contest as III
aims at, neighbor would be divided agains
neighbor, friend against friend, brother
against brother, sister against sister, parents
against children and children against parents
In many family the words of Scriptur,
would become literally applicable and :
mans TO s should be those of his own house
hold. Even the husband and wife in man,
instances, are, the one Protestant, the 9th
era Catholic. Blood might not be shed
but the excitement attendant upon Presi
Dental election, or campaign" conducte
on this ISSUE would be such as has neve
been approached in intensity, in oil the pre-
vious history of our government