Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-08-12

attach considerable importance to. They fee
their strength, and do not hesitate to use it in
advancing their interests. For example, when
the Geghan bill-a purely sectarian measure
was before the Ohio Legislature, the Catholic
Telegraph, of this city, said:
The political party with which nine-tenths
| of the Catholic voters affiliate, on account OF
past services that they will never forget, now
controls the State Withdraw the support
which Catholics have given to it, and it will
fall in this city, county, and State as speedily
as it has risen to its long-lost position and
power. That party is now on trial. Mr.. Geg-
hans bill will test the sincerity of its profes-
| sions.
That hint was sufficient for the Democratic
Legislature. The bill passed. Thereupon the
Catholic Telegraph said:
The unbroken solid vote of the Catholic cit
liens of the State will be given to the DemOc-
racy at the fall election.
In regard to this promise we have to say
that while it will be subs antially fulfilled,
there are independent CatLs,ics who will not
follow the dictations of their clergy; who be-
iieve in Our free schools; send their children
to them, and will vote for them; but the great
mass of Roman Catholics will yield ready
obedience and vote the Democratic ticket,
while they will also repudiate Democrats who
voted against the Geghan bill as indicated in
the following threat, also from the Catholic
Telegraph.
They have dug their political grave; it will
not be our fault if they do not fill it. When
any of them appear in the political arena, We
will put upon them brand that every Catho-
lie citizen will understand.
The Roman Catholic Church threatened. It
demanded the passage of sectarian measure,
and the Democratic Legislature yielded. The
party. The Roman Catholic Church seeks the
destruction of our free school system, and
boldly declares it to be its policy to control
legislation in the interests of the Church.
party, and we ask the people of Ohio if there
is not the strongest ground for suspecting it.
This fight is upon us, and now is tine time
for the people to meet it and to firmly declare
tanned, and that there shall be no sectarian in
reference in the work of legislation. Our sys-
TEN of government stands upon an unsectarian
basis. The State protects religion, but it IA
vors no sect. All sects are equal before the
law, and there are special privileges for none.
With this the Roman Catholic Church is not
satisfied. 1t demands special privileges, while
its motto is, ''The Church first, the State sec
ond." In this respect it differs from all other
denominations. Let the people stand firm and
the Church of Rome will find it convenient to
adapt itself to our American institutions; but
yield to its demands now, and it will continue
to multiply and press its requirements until,
like the slave power, it will command where it
now solicits; kick where it now threatens.
This is the best time and the easiest time to
settle this question, and right here in Ohio as
good place as any. The issue has been forced
upon the people. Let it be most promptly,
squarely, and with crushing emphasis Gin.
Gdz.