The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-09-11
Thurman on the School Question.
Iuisrfrsaes ef the Efoiessaat aaa caikoiic
PIieslkoads % Eleeiions.

RslesiEopds 10 Eleetfoas.
Senator Thurman, in his speech at Cleye
land, Ohio, Angus, -, had very little to sal
about financial Issues and very much abonl
the school question, the Republican politi
clans finding their party as much divided on
thegreenbark issue as are the Democrats, hav
ing forced IN the other issue. Tho following
was the closing passage
10 hear Radical stumper talk Of the Cath
Ole church, You would think, If You knew nc
better, that all tho members Of that church
are under the absolute dominion Of then
priests; that the priest has but TO point his
finger, and his whole flock vote for the party
TO which he points. There never was a more
untounded assertion, never greater libel
pronounced against body Of American free.
men. In matters Of religion the Catholic
reyerently receives the instructions Of his
spiritual guide; in secular matters he acts, as
other men act, upon the dictates of his own
Judgment. There are tens Of thousands OF
Catholics who vote, and have always voted,
the Republican ticket, and if the number OF
such votes is diminishing, 1t is not because OF
pFiestly domination, bat because the spirit OF
know-nothingism again stalks abroad, and
threatens to obtain complete possession Of
the Republican party.
It is not many years since Archbishop
Hughes, Of New FORK, and Archbishop Pur.
cell, OF Cincinnati, were open supporters Of
lAncoln's administration, and were much APP
plauded by the Republican leaders for that
support. Then not one of those leaders was
heard to utter word about priestiy interior
ence in politics, or priestly domination. On
the contrary, these venerable prelates were
landau ~ tutfa L,.e IL.
aud their example everywhere cited as an in.
dueement to Catholics to vote the Republican
ticket. Nay, further President Lincoln
manifested his high regard for the Archbishop
Of New York by sending him on a mission to
Europe, and the whole Republican party ap.
plauded the act. But did the course taken
by those eminent preates more emf.
nent or better entitled to the regard OF their
flocks and of mankind--control the Catholic
vote? Every man of you is ready to say no;
for it is as notorious as that the sun gives light
to the earth that the great body Of Catholics
continued to vote as they had been accustom'
ed to vote--the Democrats continued to be
Democrats, and the Republicans continued to
be Republicans.
1t is little curious to hear Republican
speakers denounce what they call the inter.
ference of the Catholic priesthood in politics,
and then turn over few pages of history and
see what the Protestant priesthood have done,
not only with the appreciation but encouraged
by the loud plaudits Of these same Repubh.
cans, Have you forgotten the petition TO
Congress of three thousand Il think that was
the number Protestant ministers, denouncing
the policy Of Democratic administration,
and with what flourish OF trumpets it was
presented and applaaded2 Aud is it not an
undeniabe fact that no Democrat ever sug-
gested or thought Of assaihng Protestant
church because of that 'priestly interference
in politics?'i Is it not an undeniable fact
that though the form and language Of the pc.
ution was criticised, though It was OF qaes.
tionabe propriety for the petitioners to appear
IN their clerical character, and not in their
simple capacity of citizens, yet no Que was
found TO deny their right Of petition, or to
Willy their churches because they exercised
that right?
Have you forgotten the advent in Washing.
ton of large body OF Protestant Clergy Of
Chicago, who almost assumed to speak in the
name of the Almighty when demanding Of
President Lincoln the issuance of the eman.
cipation proclamation and is not every man
Of you witness Of the fact that ''priesty in.
reference in politics oecasioned no Demo
cratic assault upon Protestant church. when,
on the other hand, ii was Justify applauded
by the Republican leaders and the Republican
press? And yet these same leaders aud this
same press are ready to go into spasms ii
Catholic priest has the audacity To exercise
bus right as an American citizen, and express.
however modestly, political opinion that
5 not orthodox according to the Radical creed |
tellow.eitizens, | am not Catholic, and | !
nave no desire TO draw comparisons between
ne Protestant and Catholic priesthood; but |
ilnee the latter are so freely denounced for
fhat Is called their interference in politics, il |
nay not be aniss to ask a few plain questions. |
hat man ever heard political sermon from /
eaihoiic pnlpitg | am sure | never did, |
Tor did | ever read or hear of one. What |
nan can number the political sermons preach.
= from Protestant pulpits, from that Of Henry /
Ward Beecher, in Plymouth Church, down 10
hat Of the humblest ediiice whose spire points
0 Heaven? What man ever heard Of a Cath.
lie priest making a stump speech am
nre 1 never did, nor do / believe such a thing
yer occurred. But who can tell how many
'rotesiant ministers have taken the s,umb.
-om Henry Ward Beecher down TO the
iranyille Noodles? What man ever heard of
Catholic priest being candidate for office
know that never did, nor do believe
nat any Of you ever did. But how many
roiestant ministers have held and how many
ct hold office, from the halls of Congress and
he State Legislatures down 10 the humber
tiees OF the county, the city and the town 7
Fellow-ci you win much misunder
and me If yOu suppose that, in anything |
ave said, mean to censure, mnch less con
emn, any Protestant church or any Protest.
ut priest. On the contrary, stand here to
efend the rights Of every church, and to
aintain that every man, be he Christian or
ew, Protestant or Catholic, priest or layman.
eheyer or unbelieyer, shall enjoy, TO the
Hest extent, his rights as citizen; that he
lall have the rights guaranteed by our consli.
Itons-Federal and State-the right Of free
'eech, the right to petition the lawmaking ,
over, the right to vote as he sees fit, the J
ght 70 hold office, and, most sacred Of ALL
'e right to Worship Almighty God according
the dictates OF his own conscience. stand
ere 70 maintain that he shall not be traduced /
I'd prescribed because he exercises these ,
ghts; that a vindictiye prejudice shall not be ,
kcited against him because he exercises
ZEN; that he shall be, to all intents and
irposes, what the constitution makes him,
ee mao. | stand here 10 deaouace the I
gftators uho ir0uld practically deprice am
aa Of these rights, 10 denoHace the kao,e.
othiily spirit that seeks 10 reduce Catholics
nd Joreign-bo,p citizens to the status of |
sgrdded class IN the community, to delsoaaee i
Ie hgpocrisy that pyetends that our schools ;
re IN danger, or that our legislation is con
oiled by any priesthood rhaterer; and ,
and here to appeal to you, whatever may be
,ur religious belief or disbelief, whatever are |
may have been your political affiliations !
hatever may be your calling or occupation.
haieyer may be the land in which your eyes
rst beheld the sun, to Sc, the seal Of your
,ndemnation upon the most heartiess, insin.
ere, illiberal, anti-Ameriean aud dangerous 1
tack upon freedom Of conscience, the rights !
the citizen, the peace Of society and the
eliare Of your government, ever made in