Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-02
THE .SECTARIAN ISSUE.


The democratic papers with character
istic audacity and disregard of facts at
tempt to belittle the scctarian issues raised
by the Roman Catholics. They pretend
to regard them as being without real foun-
dalton. existing only in the imagination
Of excited republicans. They know bet
ter, but they dare not acknowledge the
truth, and therefore blind their readers
with falsehood.
We observe. however, in looking over
our New Jersey papers, taat one demo-
cratic editor in that State. offended by the
result of the election there has turned
States evidence and disclosed some Of the
doings Of the Catholics. In a late issue OF
his paper, the Trenton Sentinel, he says
Last fall, in our own State, the Romanists had
the presumption to appoint committees in most Of
the counties, who were instructed TO wait upon
the democratic legislative candidates, and demand
theirs, the bilfsfor which was already drawn up
and printed! They made this demand with i'm
piled threats Of opposition to every democratic
nominee who refused to give the pledge thus in.
solently demanded.
The election which followed resulted in the
democrats carrying the House Of Assembly on a
National issue with the party in power. And
then came the Catholic Protectory Bill, and Its
passage by the House.
This democratic testimony to the work
ings Of Catholics through the democratic
organization to promote their sectariar
plans, discloses chapter which confirm.
the declarations of republicans in relation
TO the Roman Catholics. They voted fol
the democratic candidates and in return
asked the democratic members of the leg
islature to support their religious meas
ures. and got what they asked. Will the
Argus. the Bangor Commercial or the
Standard dare deny this democratic testi-
mony? In this connection we call atten.
ton to the following editorial from the
New York Observer, showing what the
Catholics in New Jersey are doing. and
what a leading Protestant paper thinks OF
The matter:
A political association has been formed in New
Jersey, which is to have branches in every Ro-
man Catholic parish in the State. copy of its
constitution and an address defining the objects,
are before US this moment, having been obtained
and sent by Protestant friend on the west side
Of the river.
The address states that the Catholics" having
failed to get what legislation they want for their
schools and other institutions, must now bring
such influences to bear upon the legislature as
will enable them to secure what they call their
rights. For this purpose they have formed a
Catholic Union," with the appreciation of their
ecclesiastical guides, and they bind themselves by
= solemn pledge to work for their church, and es-
pecially in the line Of political action. BY form
ing such q union in each parish in the State, they
will have party pledged to vote for the men who
viii be most subseryient to them in granting sec
tartan appropriations, ard perver'ing the school
funds.
They are wise in their generation, and we know
whence their wisdom comes. Sometimes the
wise are taken in their own craftiness And if
the evident purpose of the Roman priests, under
Jesuit influence, to make these questions political
and carry them to the polls, shall stimulate the
American people to combine against them, it will
be another example of the "hoist with his own Pc
tard," and of what was meant for evil working
out good.
1t is quite likely that lie lime has come when
al good men should form themselves into
league for the defence Of ree ious, charitable
and educational institutions against the insdiou.
designs OF the Jesuiis. When bad men eonspire
good men must combine. A Protestant union in
Guiding, Is it would, all citizens who owe no ale
glance to . foreign power, would spread itsel
over the whole country, and in every State woult
be formidable enemy of these Jesuit men ant
measures; would vote against them and theiI
tools; would protect the schools and school funds
would defeat Jesuit legislation, and keep these
foes Of liberty and education in order. Such q
league we shall have. and perhaps j, is time to
have il now.