Richland beacon., 1876-07-01
.lurch and State.

As little a. some Of our readers
moy think of it, and as much as others
may he disposed to riGicUlc The idea,
an element has sprung into existence
in the Republican party of a more
dangerous character than any that
has ever had cXistcnrc in the United
States, which has set on foot Il move,
ment that threatens To destroy one of
the most sacred and cherished rights
Of American ciIizcnS-reiigiuus lib-
erty and nothing short Of the rescue
of the Government from the hands of
that party will prevent its accomplish
ment. Its advocates demand a Pro-
testant Government for the United
States, and they will never stop short
of an established church if the power
for the accomplishment Of their dan
gcrous and mischicvous designs is not
wrestcd from them at The very begin
ming of the movement.
1t is folly to treat this suffice, with
contempt and ridicule, for it threatens
the country with the most dire dis
aster; threatens to rob every citizen
Of his most sacred right-,hat Of
worShpiag God according to the
dictates Of his own conscience if it
does not plunge US into a lno>i appa,I-
ing and disastrous civil war. Years
ago, when the very parties who have
/ inaugurated this movement, started the
doctrine of the abolition Of slavery
and boldly denounced the ConSiiluiiCn
of the United States as "a covenant
with hell ard league with the
devil" and demanded an auti-s!arery
Bible, declaring their recognition of Il
higher law than that CT even God
himself, they were laughed at and
ridiculed as religious fanatics and
bigots. And we all know how they
grew in strength until they rcvylu-
tionizcd the country, plunged it into
a civil war, took possession Of the
reins Of Government ana established
their doctrine as the law of the land.
That party made gigantic strides,
sweeping the entire North before it,
until it reached the zrn;'h Of power
but its progress was nothing compared
to the present movement in that party,
which succeeded in getting in Il plank
on the Cincinnati platform, with a
man nominated on that platform who
was already committed to the move
ment, and we may know by this what
encouragement lie would give it if
elected President. Indeed, 10 new
party or faction ever attained such
Roadway in this country before Us this
one, which threatens to rulhlc, s'y dcs-
troy the features of our Government
which makes Of our country an asylum
for the prosecuted Of all lands and
renders american citizenship dcsira-
ble
The advocates Of this movement
assume that New England virtually
rules the United States, and being
Protestant has right to demand Il
Protestant Government for the United
States. The United States has Il
majority Of Protestant citizens, but
that Is no reason why we should deS-
troy or ab.oSate the fuudampnta,
principles Of thai liberty which alcnc
Is worth the name of liberty. Our
foresaherS were Pro;csranIs, and
refugees from persecution, and know
ing the evils Of religious ostracisn,,
their descendants, when they gave
us government, bequcathed to Us
one which granted Us perfect religious
liberty and all true patriots will
b,qncath the same rich Inheritance to
their postcri,y or die in the attempt.
The most powcrfu! appeals will be
made to the fears and prcjuGiccs o.
Protestan's to joia in this crusade
against the Catholics. il order to gain
recruits to the Republican party and
extend the lease OF power Which that
mass Of corruption holds upon this
country. The country will be flooded
with ooks, papers ana tracts. while
emisarlcs in priesly guiSc will Gnd
their way into every ncighborhood
with view 10 the accomplishment o.
this purpose F; and we warn our Pro
testant friends to beware of how they
aesist in spreading this iirebrand
which when kind!ed to a fame, can
not be checked until it has drSolated
our fair country aid planged it into
the most aljcct misery and appalling
political and religious darkness
1t is useless, madness, to ridicul,
fanaiicism, for il has revolutionized
governments, burned martyrs at the
stake, destroyed cities. deluged coun,
tries in blood and spread q pal! OF
darkness over The civilized world in
the past and i; can do it again.
We are no Catholic, as al our
readers know, bat 80 jealous are We
Of religious liberty that we will oppose
with all the powers we possess every
movement having the least semblance
of interference with that liberty, com-
ing from whatever church or creed it
may, SO long as there is strength in
our right arri 60 WELD a pen or draw
a sword; for if YOU rob us of our
reli sious liberty, you rob us Of all that
is worth the hane OF liberty and rem
der US desperate in efforts to reclaim,
the greatest blessing vouched safe o!