b"\n\nTHE \n\n\nAMKk \n\n\nJJ1 \n\n\n1 \n\nJ \n\n\nAN'S TEXT-BOOK: \n\n\nV\\ \n\n\nBEING \n\n\nA SERIES OF LETTERS, \n\n\nADDRESSED BY \n\n\n\xe2\x80\x9cAN AMERICAN,\xe2\x80\x9d \n\n\nTO THE CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE, \n\n\nIn exposition and vindication op the Principles and Policy \n\n\nof thb American Party. \n\n\n\nNASHVILLE: \n\nPUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD OF THE S. C. OF TENN \n\n1855. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nf. \n\n\nV \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n'$i. 4 \xe2\x80\x99' \n\n\n\n\nINTRODUCTORY. \n\n\nNUMBER 1. \n\nFellow-Citizens of the State of Tennessee: \n\nI propose addressing you a series of articles in \nexposition and vindication of the principles and policy of \nour organization in this State, commonly denominated \xe2\x80\x9cThe \nKnow Nothings .\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThe selection of the Nashville True Whig, as our medium \nof communication, is one purely of personal choice; for, as \nyet, the Know Nothing organization has not invested any \npublic journal in this State with the prerogative to speak \nauthoritatively for it, upon any question of principle or policy. \n\nAs our organization is composed of Whigs and Democrats \nindiscriminately, therefore, in our admissions to membership, \nor selections for office, we recognize no man\xe2\x80\x99s eligibility to \neither from any antecedent relation he may have sustained to \neither of the old political parties, Whig or Democrat. We \nwill oppose those who oppose us. We will sustain those \nonly who sustain us, be they Whigs or Democrats. We will \nselect from among ourselves alone, gentlemen of worth and \nability, who will faithfully represent our principles and pol\xc2\xac \nicy, for all offices; especially for both branches of our Legis\xc2\xac \nlature, for Congress, and the Gubernatorial Chair of State, \nand this we will do through our various conventions, county, \n\n\n\n4 \n\n\nCongressional and State, irrespective of any or all other \nconventions. \n\nOur organization being unique, distinct from all others in \nsome of its ends, aims and principles, we are determined \nthat it shall remain independent of all others, reposing alone \nfor its ultimate triumph, upon its own firm basis, the native \npulsations of the great American heart. Hence our motto: \nAt home or abroad , in peace or in war , Native Americans alone \nshall sit in our watch-towers of State or in our council cham\xc2\xac \nbers , to preside over the destinies of America. \n\nLet me assure you, fellow-citizens, that nothing, save the \noverwhelming importance of the questions involved in our \norganization, could have lured me, in my old age, from the \ntranquil felicities of private life, to enter the arena of an \nexciting public discussion. The glorious Revolution of \xe2\x80\x9976 \ngave birth to our American constitutional liberty. The no \nless glorious revolution through which we are passing, by \nmeans of our principles , will perpetuate that constitutional \nliberty to our children forever. The greatest glory of a \nfreeborn people should be to transmit their freedom unim\xc2\xac \npaired, to their children. \n\nWe would esteem ourselves much flattered if the press in \nthe State, favorable to the objects and principles of our or\xc2\xac \nganization, would copy our articles as they appear. They \nshall be written in language simple, in tone and sentiment \ncourteous and dignified, with all the attainments and ability \nwe possess. In our subsequent articles we will define and \ndefend our platform. Yours, I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\n5 \n\n\nNO. II. \n\nThe American party composed indiscriminately of Whigs and Democrats \n\xe2\x80\x94Nominations for office, how made\xe2\x80\x94Proposed repeal or modification oj \nthe Naturalization laws\xe2\x80\x94Constitutional provisions hearing on the ques\xc2\xac \ntion\xe2\x80\x94Proposed prohibition of foreign-born citizens from holding office , \nand considerations in favor of it, drawn from the history of other na\xc2\xac \ntions. \n\nGentlemen: \n\nIn our first communication we observed that the \nKnow Nothing organization was indiscriminately composed \nof Whigs and Democrats ; that as a party we sustained and \nopposed those only who sustained or opposed us, and that \nour selections for all offices were determined by our County, \nCongressional, State and National Conventions. We also \nobserved, that in this and subsequent articles, we would \npresent you with a faithful expose of our principles and pol\xc2\xac \nicy, and attempt their vindication to the utmost of our ability. \nIn the prosecution of our undertaking, should we provoke a \nnewspaper discussion, let us studiously avoid all scurrility \nof language, all asperity of manner. Let us exhibit an \nagreeableness of good nature, which is often the genial air \nof a good mind, of a generous soul, and the prolific soil in \nwhich truth and virtue best prosper. \n\nFirst. We advocate a repeal of our laws of naturalization \nby Congress, or such a modification of them as to require of \nall future imigrants a residence in our country of at least \ntwenty-one years after they have taken the oath of allegiance \nto the United States, and renounced the same to every other \npotentate or power, whether temporal or ecclesiastical. \n\nIf our naturalization laws were repealed, then in the future \nno foreigner could be eligible to a seat in the House of Re\xc2\xac \npresentatives, or the Senate of the United States; because \nthe constitution declares that he must be a citizen at least \nseven years before he can be eligible to a seat in the former, \nor nine years before eligible to a seat in the latter House. \nConsequently, a repeal of these laws would divest him of \nthe requisite citizenship to make him eligible to a seat in \neither branch of our National Legislature. Again, he would \nnot be such a citizen in the contemplation of the constitution, \nas would render it obligatory upon each State to invest him \nwith all the \xe2\x80\x9crights, privileges and immunities of the citi\xc2\xac \nzens of the several States.\xe2\x80\x9d See sec. 2, art. 4., of the con\xc2\xac \nstitution. Thus, it would result, that no State, by illegally \nor prematurely naturalizing foreigners, could send them into \nother States to change their peculiar institutions ; or would \norganize immigrant associations to send them into our West\xc2\xac \nern Territories, as was done in Kansas and Nebraska, to en- \n\n\n6 \n\n\ngraft upon their institutions sectional animosities or peculiar \npolitical tenets. \n\nAgain, we advocate the enactment of a law by Congress, \nprohibiting the President of the United States by and with \nthe advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint persons of \nforeign birth, to be our Ministers, Ambassadors, Consuls, or \nCharges d\xe2\x80\x99Affaires abroad, or Judges of the Supreme or \nFederal Courts, or to employ them as heads, clerks, or other \nofficials in any of the departments of the General Govern\xc2\xac \nment, as they have been by hundreds and thousands. Thus, \nwe would have no foreigners by birth prostituting their high \nofficial position and duties to vile purposes of personal pique \nand gratification, or to the more ignoble purposes of enhanc\xc2\xac \ning the world-fortune of private Stock-Jobbers and National \nBond-Shavers, such as the Rothschilds. If the naturaliza\xc2\xac \ntion laws were repealed, and this law by Congress enacted, \nthen, from the President to the least official employed in the \nGeneral Government, or in any of its departments, whether \nat home or abroad, in the civil or military corps\xe2\x80\x94all would \nbe native Americans. Might we not congratulate ourselves \nin the future, and repose in security, when we knew \xe2\x80\x9cthat \nnone but Americans were on guard\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94presiding over the \ndestinies of America. \n\nIf these laws were not repealed, but modified in such \nmanner as we designate, we would still accomplish many of \nthe great national objects for which our mysterious associa\xc2\xac \ntion was organized. It would require 21 years residence, \nafter the ceremonial of naturalization, before any foreigner \ncould be invested with the rights and immunities of a citizen. \nIf, therefore, he were 21 years of age when he took the oath \nof allegiance and abjuration, he would be 42 years of age \nbefore he could clothe himself in the Toga Virilis of an \nAmerican citizen. Perhaps, if ever, he would then appre\xc2\xac \nciate American constitutional liberty \xe2\x80\x94 the spirit and genius \nof our people and institutions. \n\nCitizens of the State of Tennessee, we will submit to you \nsome of our reasons why no foreigner by birth should exer\xc2\xac \ncise the sacred privilege of the elective franchise, or be per\xc2\xac \nmitted to hold any office in the States or under the Federal \nGovernment. There is not another civilized nation on the \nglobe\xe2\x80\x94not one in Europe\xe2\x80\x94that permits any foreigner to \nparticipate in its national legislation\xe2\x80\x94to represent it in any \ndiplomatic and ministerial capacity, or preside over any of \nits departments of State. Does England, France, Prussia, \nAustria, Russia, Spain, Holland, Norway, or Sweden ? No, \nnot one. Why have China and Japan, England and Russia, \npreserved unimpaired for ages, their peculiar institutions, \namid the ever changing tides of time ? Because they have \n\n\n7 \n\n\nerected adamantine barriers against the revolutionary influ\xc2\xac \nence and aggressions of foreigners. China and Japan have \nheretofore prohibited any foreigner, under the penalty of \ndeath, from ingress into the interior of their empires. Eng\xc2\xac \nland and Russia have rarely permitted them to hold any \noffice in the legislative, judicial or administrative depart\xc2\xac \nments. Besides, no foreigner is permitted to pass through \ntheir domains without an omnipresent police ever dogging \nhis heels. When the British Parliament confers the rights \nof a native born subject upon a foreigner, it is only when he \nis connected by marriage with the royal family, and even \nthen it requires a double act of legislation. \n\nLet us recur briefly, for further light upon this subject, to \nthe policy of the wisest and most potent of ancient common\xc2\xac \nwealths. How was it that the Greeks preserved so long \ntheir language and laws; their genius and liberty, amid the \nthiek gathering darkness of surrounding natural ignorance \nand barbarism ? Because, to be a Greek citizen was the \nmost distinguished honor that could be aspired to by prince \nor potentate\xe2\x80\x94because no foreigner, upon pain of death, \ncould even intrude his voice in their deliberative or legisla\xc2\xac \ntive assemblies. But, alas! the national splendor and liber\xc2\xac \nties of these renowned republics faded away like a vision of \nnight, when their offices of honor and trust\xe2\x80\x94their popular \nand national assemblies\xe2\x80\x94were thrown open to foreigners. \n\xe2\x80\x99Twas then, that Philip of Macedon, through his seat in \nthe Amphyctionic Council, extinguished the last glimmering \ntrace of a once glorious nationality. Romans, too, were \nno less jealous of the jus civitatus \xe2\x80\x94the rights of the citizen. \nW T hen was it Rome was almighty called, and the shadow of \nher haughty power encircled the globe ? Twas when I am \na Roman citizen , would have stood alone against a world in \narms. For Gibbon tells us that when the Emperor Cara- \ncalla, for purposes of a more extended taxation, levelled all \ndistinctions, and communicated the rights of the citizen to \nthe whole empire indiscriminately, the national spirit be\xc2\xac \ncame extinct among the people, and the pride and honor of \ntheir country were sunk forever. Yes, it was foreign influ\xc2\xac \nence that trailed her eagle banners in the dust\xe2\x80\x94that hushed \nthe voice of her Tullys, and made Rome the \xe2\x80\x9c Niobe of Na\xc2\xac \ntions.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nCitizens of the State of Tennessee ! thus you see that the \nputrid despotisms of the Old World\xe2\x80\x94that the oppressive \nmonarchies ot the New, have preserved their empires, for \nages, alone by excluding foreigners from their offices of \nState, and guarding with an eternal vigilance their elective \nfranchise and institutions from their unhallowed influence. \nHow, therefore, can we preserve our most delicate and \n\n\n8 \n\n\nbeautiful flower of constitutional liberty, against the with\xc2\xac \nering blight of foreign influence, unless we too, like them, \nshall guard our elective franchise and offices of State with \nthe same aegis of protection\xe2\x80\x94the same invulnerable ram\xc2\xac \nparts ? Permit your shores to be continually deluged by the \nignorant and pauper emigration of Europe\xe2\x80\x94their abusive \nexercise of your elective franchise\xe2\x80\x94their occupancy of your \nhigh offices of honor\xe2\x80\x94and not long shall, I am an American \ncitizen , raise a throb in every heart that loves liberty, and \nforce a reluctant tribute even from the most despotic op\xc2\xac \npressor. \n\nThe same argument continued in our next. I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. Ill. \n\nThe same subject continued , t cith reference to the Constitutional points \ninvolved\xe2\x80\x94Opinions of Washing ton, Ooverneur Morris, and Elbrxdge \nGerry. \n\nGentlemen: \xe2\x80\x94We promised in our last article to devote \nthis to a further consideration of a repeal of the naturaliza\xc2\xac \ntion laws, or such a modification of them as to require of \nall aliens, in future, a residence of twenty-one years after \nthey have taken the oaths of allegiance and abjuration, \nbefore they shall be invested with all the rights and immu\xc2\xac \nnities of native-born citizens. \n\nWere Congress to re per l its present laws, the power to \nnaturalize foreigners, would revert to the States respective\xc2\xac \nly, that possessed and exercised it exclusively anterior to the \nadoption of the Constitution. And if the States did not also \nrepeal all their laws permitting foreigners by birth to exer\xc2\xac \ncise the elective franchise or to hold office within their sev\xc2\xac \neral jurisdictions, or did not pass uniform laws upon these \npoints, the greatest embarrassments might ensue from their \nrepugnance and disparity. For the constitution expressly \ndeclares that the \xe2\x80\x9c citizens of each State shall be entitled to \nall the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several \nStates.\xe2\x80\x9d Therefore, if the present uniform naturalization \nlaws of Congress were repealed, and the States exercising \nthis power did not enact'general uniform laws, it would fol\xc2\xac \nlow that one State or a class of States, by incorporating \naliens into their own citizenship, might force them as citi\xc2\xac \nzens upon other States, contrary to their own laws, policy \nor institutions. Indeed, it would render the laws of one. \nState paramount to those of all others, even within their \n\n\n\n9 \n\n\nown jurisdiction. If aliens, indiscriminately, were admit\xc2\xac \nted to enjoy all the rights of citizens at the option of any \none State, the Union itself might be seriously imperiled by \na sudden influx of foreigners hostile to its institutions, igno\xc2\xac \nrant of its powers, and incapable of appreciating its privi\xc2\xac \nleges. Hence, whether this power is exercised by the Fed\xc2\xac \neral Government or by the States, the naturalization laws, \nto avoid all difficulty, must be uniform in their complexion \nand application. \n\nThere are two constitutional points involved in this dis\xc2\xac \ncussion, that deserve a further consideration. \n\nFirst. That, though Congress has the power to \xe2\x80\x9c establish \na uniform rule of naturalization,\xe2\x80\x9d it has none to establish \nany law prescribing the qualifications which the electors of \nthe several States must have to enable them to vote in any \nelection, or to hold any office within the jurisdiction of the \nStates. The power to define the qualifications of their own \nelectors or office-holders, has ever resided in the several \nStates, whether under the old or new form of government. \nIf Congress possessed this power, it might impose some pro\xc2\xac \nperty , abolition , political or sectional test or qualification, that \nwould be violative of the municipal regulations and institu\xc2\xac \ntions of the several States. Indeed, the General Govern\xc2\xac \nment could not exercise this power without a most danger\xc2\xac \nous usurpation of the rights of the States. It would anni\xc2\xac \nhilate all State power and influence. \n\nAgain, this clause: \xe2\x80\x9cThe citizens of each State shall \nbe entitled to all the privileges and immunities of the citi\xc2\xac \nzens of the several States,\xe2\x80\x9d does not mean that any one State \ncan prescribe rights and qualifications for the citizens or \nelectors of any other State, in contravention of the local laws \nand policy of that other State. The privileges and immu\xc2\xac \nnities to which this clause refers, are of a fundamental \ncharacter\xe2\x80\x94such as the protection of life and liberty, to ac\xc2\xac \nquire and enjoy property, to pass through or reside in the \nState at pleasure, to pay no higher impositions than other \ncitizens, to exercise the elective franchise, and to hold office \naccording to the local regulations of each State. The adju\xc2\xac \ndications of the Supreme Court, and the concurrent opinions \nof Judges Story and Kent, sustain these positions. \n\nTherefore, whether the naturalization laws of Congress \nare repealed or modified as we desire, or not, still each State \ncan prescribe its own qualifications or terms by which not \nonly its own citizens, but those of any other State coming \nwithin its jurisdiction, shall hold office, or exercise the elec\xc2\xac \ntive franchise. Accordingly, you find in sec. 1, art. 4, of \nyour State constitution, the following: \xe2\x80\x9cEvery free white \nman of the age of 21 years, being a citizen of the United \n\n\n10 \n\n\nStates , and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his \nvote, six months next preceding the day of the election, shall \nbe entitled to vote for members of the General Assembly, \nand other civil officers for the county or district in which he \nresides.\xe2\x80\x99 The legislature of our State has passed laws in \npursuance of, and in accordance with this section of our \nState constitution. Thus, gentlemen of the Know Nothing \nparty, if we mean to reduce our principles to practical utility, \n(and assuredly we do,) we must commence by changing our \nState constitution so as to preclude all future naturalized \nforeigners from either holding office or exercising the elec\xc2\xac \ntive franchise within the jurisdiction of our State. We must \nnot vote for any member of our next Legislature who is not \nin favor of this change of the constitution, and the enact\xc2\xac \nment of laws accordingly. Without this change of our con\xc2\xac \nstitution, how can we prevent legally and constitutionally, \nany foreigner who is a naturalized citizen of the United \nStates, of the age of 21 years, and having resided within \nsome county six months preceding any election, from voting \nin that election ? If such a naturalized citizen has resided \nin the State three years, and one year in the county, and is \nof the age of 21 years, he can be a representative in your \nlegislature ; and if of the age of thirty years, he is eligible \nto the senate ; and if a citizen seven years, he is eligible to \nyour Gubernatorial Chair of State. We can, at the next \nsitting of our Legislature, enact a law\xe2\x80\x94and it should be \ndone\xe2\x80\x94that no foreigner, by birth, shall ever be eligible to \nthe office of Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer, \nor Judge of the Supreme or Circuit, or Criminal Court of \nthis State, or any other office within the gift of the people \nor the Legislature of the State, not (as this would not be) in \ncontravention of the constitution of the State. This we \nmust do, or be justly subject to the imputation of political \nhumbuggery and hypocrisy. \n\nA latitudinarian extension of the right of suffrage to nat\xc2\xac \nuralized citizens, and in some cases even to aliens, is rapidly \ndestroying every constitutional check, every conservative \nelement intended by the sages who framed the earliest \nAmerican constitutions, as safeguards against the abuses of \npopular suffrage. This is peculiarly the case with those \nStates formed out of the North-western Territory, under the \nordinance of the Confederated Congress of 1787. In Illinois, \nan alien who has been a bona fide resident of the State for \nsix months, can vote in any election. Similar provisions \nexists in the constitutions of Wisconsin and Michigan. Ohio, \nby an act of her Legislature, passed in 1831, has restricted \nthe right of suffrage to natural born and naturalized citizens. \nIt is our paramount obligation and duty, gentlemen of the \n\n\n11 \n\n\nKnow Nothing party, to check forever this dangerous and \nlicentious exercise of the elective franchise. And should \nnot the American people do so ? \n\nWe will now submit to you, Tennesseans, the solemn \nreflections of some of the wisest and best men that ever \ninfluenced the councils of our nation, or presided over its \ndestinies \xe2\x80\x94 men who transmitted to their countrymen the \nrich legacies of unsullied reputations of an immaculate \npatriotism \xe2\x80\x94 a love of liberty that no presentation of peril \nor death could extinguish. We will commence with those \nof the illustrious Washington \xe2\x80\x94 the patriot without a par\xc2\xac \nallel ; a Christian whose God and his country, were the only \nobjects of his supreme adoration. \n\nThe following is from Gen. Washington\xe2\x80\x99s letter to Gover- \nneur Morris, of Pennsylvania, dated July 24, 1788: \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c Dear Sir: The design of this letter is to touch cursorily \nupon a subject of very great importance to the well-being of \nthese States; much more so than will appear at first view. \n\nI mean the appointment of so many foreigners to offices of \nhigh rank and trust in our service. * * * Baron \n\nSteuben is also wanting to quit his inspectorship lor a com\xc2\xac \nmand in the line. This will be productive of much discon\xc2\xac \ntent to the Brigadiers. In a word, although I think the Baron \nan excellent officer, I do most devoutly wish that we had, not \na single foreigner amongst us except the Marquis de Lafayette , \nwho acts upon very different principles from those which \ngovern the rest \xe2\x80\x9d \n\nAgain in his Farewell Address he uses this oracular \nadmonition: \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cAgainst the insidious wiles of foreign influence, I con\xc2\xac \njure you to believe me, fellow-citizens, the jealousy of a \nfree people ought to be constantly awake ; since history and \nexperience prove that foreign influence is one of the most \nbaneful foes of republican government.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThis Mr. Morris was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the \nconvention which framed our constitution, and when it was \nproposed in convention to make foreigners by birth eligible \nto a seat in Congress, he used the following language, doubt\xc2\xac \nless the sentiments of Washington himself, for Washington \nwas his friend ; \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cThe lesson we are taught is, that we should be governed \nas much by our reason, and as little by our feelings, as pos\xc2\xac \nsible. What is the language of reason upon this subject ? \nThat we should not be polite at the expense of prudence. \n* * * He ran over the privileges which emigrants \n\nwould enjoy among us, though they should be deprived of \nthat of being eligible to the great offices of government; \nobserving that they exceeded the privileges allowed to for- \n\n\n12 \n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\neigners in any other part of the globe. * * * \n\nAdmit a Frenchman in your Senate, and he will study to \nincrease the commerce of France ; an Englishman, and he \nwill feel an equal bias in favor of that of England. It has \nbeen said that the State Legislatures will not choose for\xc2\xac \neigners, at least not improper ones* There was no knowing \nwhat the Legislatures would do. Some appointments made \nby them proved that every thing ought to be apprehended \nfrom the cabals practiced on such occasions. He then men\xc2\xac \ntioned the case of a f oreigner who left this State in disgrace, \nand worked himself into an appointment from another to \nCongress.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nElbridge Gerry, one of the Vice Presidents of the United \nStates, was also a member of the Convention that framed \nthe Constitution. Upon the eligibility of foreigners to offices \nin the United States, in the Convention, he said: \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c He wished in future that the eligibility (to seats in Con\xc2\xac \ngress ) might be confined to natives. Foreign powers will \nintermeddle in our affairs, and spare no expense to influence \nthem. Persons having foreign attachments will be sent \namong us, and be insinuated into our councils, in order to be \nmade instruments for their purposes. Every one knows the \nvast sums laid out in Europe for secret services. He was \nnot singular in these ideas.' A great many of the most \ninfluential men in Massachusetts reasoned in the same way.\xe2\x80\x9d \nSee Spat Ids Writings of Washington , Vol. VI, page 13, 14, \n15. The Madison Papers , Vol. Ill, page 1277, 1299. \n\nFellow-citizens of the State of Tennessee, how shall we \nbest protect our liberty and institutions against the \xe2\x80\x9c insidi\xc2\xac \nous wiles \xe2\x80\x9d of foreign influence and machinations, if not by \npreventing the unhallowed abuse of our elective franchise \xe2\x80\x94 \nby closing the doors of our offices forever from the admission \nand prostitution of foreigners , \n\nWe shall continue the discussion of the same subject, with \ncitations from the opinions of other illustrious Statesmen, in \nanother article. I am AN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. IV. \n\nEvils and Dangers of Foreign Influence \xe2\x80\x94 Further Reference to the Vietes \nof Washington , Jefferson , Jay , Pinckney , Mason , Butler , Sherman , Ran\xc2\xac \ndolph, Madison , Hamilton , and Franklin , and other Statesman of the \nRevolution. \n\nGentlemen: \n\nShould the author of these communications ever \nbe known, we trust that our advanced age and unobtrusive \n\n\n\n13 \n\n\nlife will shield us alike from the unjust imputations of vault\xc2\xac \ning ambition, or the rude assaults of a bigoted animosity^ \nTis these alone that have given to our mature judgment that \nachromatic cast that divests all objects of their glare of \ncolor. \n\n\nFor forty years we have stood amid the political convul\xc2\xac \nsions that have agitated our Republic. But the storm which \nwill burst upon us in 1856, whose dark clouds, even now. \novercast our political horizon, seems to us with the most \nappaling elements fraught. Abolitionism will \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cBe rider of the wind, \n\nThe stirrer of the storm; \n\nThe hurricane it leaves behind \nIs ever with the lightning warm.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\n\nThis Upas tree, with its baneful branches, sprung from for\xc2\xac \neign seed, sown and nurtured by foreign hands. All the \ndisgraceful isms which are gradually undermining the foun\xc2\xac \ndations of our social, political, and religious fabrics, are \nforeignisms \xe2\x80\x94 socialism, agrarianism, spiritualism, Fourier\xc2\xac \nism, skepticism, atheism, abolitionism, Jesuitism, and Ro\xc2\xac \nman Catholicism. They are Promethean vultures, ever \nfeeding upon the vitals of our Republic \xe2\x80\x94 insidious enemies, \nmore to be dreaded than the plumed warrior or barbed steed \nof invading armies. \n\nWe will now continue the discussion, as promised in our \nlast article, why foreigners by birth should not exercise the \nelective franchise, or be eligible to ofliee in the States or \nGeneral Government. Besides the letter referred to in arti\xc2\xac \ncle 3d, in which Gen. Washington opposed foreigners by \nbirth being employed in offices of high rank and trust in our \nservice, we will cite three others of his, relative to the same \nsubject \xe2\x80\x94 one to Benjamin Franklin, dated August 14, 1777; \nthe other two to Richard Henry Lee, dated May 17, 1777, \nand June 1, 1777. Remember that this was during our \nstruggle for Independence, when our armies were deficient \nin numbers and discipline \xe2\x80\x94 when, if ever, their employment \ncould be justified. \n\nThomas Jefferson not only concurred with Gen. Washing\xc2\xac \nton in his repugnance to employing foreigners by birth in \nthese positions, but also in the lowest grades of the civil or \ndiplomatic service. He was of the opinion that Congress \nshould pass a law prohibiting them from being employed \neven as Consuls \xe2\x80\x94mere commercial agents\xe2\x80\x94officers of the \nGovernment abroad, who do not possess the least ministerial \npower. While our Minister to France in 1788, he addressed \na letter to John Jay, dated Paris, November 14, 1788, in \nwhich he uses the following language : \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c With respect to the Consular appointments, it is a duty \non me to add some observations which my situation here has \n\n\n14 \n\n\nenabled me to make. I think it was in the spring of 1784, \n4hat Congress (harrassed by multiplied applications from \nforeigners, of whom nothing was known but on their inform\xc2\xac \nation, or on that of others, as unknown as themselves,) came \nto a resolution \xe2\x80\x9cthat the interest of America, would not \npermit the naming of any person not a citizen to the office \nof consul, or agent, or commissary. Native citizens on sev\xc2\xac \neral valuable accounts, are preferable to aliens , or citizens \nalien born. Native citizens possess our language; know \nour laws, customs, and commerce ; have generally, acquain\xc2\xac \ntance in the United States ; give better satisfaction, and are \nmore to be relied on in point of fidelity/\xe2\x80\x99 * * * To avail \n\nourselves of our native citizens , it appears to me advisable \nto declare, by a standing law, that no person but a native \ncitizen shall be capable of the office of consul. This was \nthe rule of 1784, restrained to the office of consul, and to \nnative citizens/ , \n\nIf Mr. Jefferson was so energetically opposed to the ap\xc2\xac \npointment of foreigners by birth, or naturalized citizens, to \ncontemptible offices abroad, such as consuls, what think you \nhe would have thought of appointing them to represent the \ndignity, the power and sovereignty of the United States, as \nministers, ambassadors, or charge d\xe2\x80\x99 affaires? Do you think \nhe would have concurred in the appointment of the red hot \nFrench Republican Soule, or the Jewish bond-shaving agent \nof the Rothschilds, Belmont ? He would have denounced \nthem in all the burning language of an indignant patriot. \nJohn Jay, to whom Mr. Jefferson addressed this letter, was \none of the foremost men of the revolution. He was one of \nthe authors of the Federalist , the ablest production on or\xc2\xac \nganic law and government, that ever emanated from the \nbrain of man; was first Chief Justice of the United States, \nand the author of the celebrated treaty of 1784, which still \nbears his name. \n\nLet us dismiss this portion of our discussion, by a pertinent \ninterrogatory: Is it not remarkable that amid all the objec\xc2\xac \ntions so pertinaciously urged in the convention that framed \nthe constitution, against the eligibility of foreigners by birth \nto seats in either house of Congress, none are urged against \ntheir employment in the judicial departments of govern\xc2\xac \nment, or in a ministerial capacity abroad? The reason \nmust be analagous to that given by the celebrated Athenian \nLawgiver, Solon, when asked why he did not, in his criminal \ncode, provide a penalty for the crime of parricide. His re\xc2\xac \nply was. that it was a crime so horrible in its character, that \nhe believed no one so depraved as to commit it. So must \nhave thought the framers of the constitution relative to the \nappointment of foreigners by birth, to such high and respon- \n\n\n\n\n15 \n\n\nsible offices ; that it argued such a degree of folly, that no \nPresident and Senate would commit it. It finds no paralel \nin the diplomatic history of any modern civilized nation of \nthe globe. \n\nWe will proceed with the opinions of other illustrious \nstatesmen of the revolution, members of the convention that \nframed our constitution, relative to the eligibility o\xc2\xa3foreign\xc2\xac \ners by birth to offices in the General Government, or seats \nin the Congress of the United States. Charles Pinckney, \nof South Carolina, arose from his seat in the convention, and \nsaid : \xe2\x80\x9cAs the Senate is to have the power of making trea\xc2\xac \nties, and managing our foreign affairs, there is peculiar dan\xc2\xac \nger and impropriety in opening its door to those who have \nforeign attachments . He quoted the jealousy of the Athe\xc2\xac \nnians on this subject, who made it death for any stranger to \nintrude his voice into their legislative proceedings\xe2\x80\x9d This \nMr. Pinckney was elected four times Governor of South \nCarolina, elected to the United States Senate in 1798, and \nwas our Ambassador to Spain from 1801 to 1805. George \nMason, of Virginia, said on this occasion: \xe2\x80\x9cWere it not \nthat many not native s of this country, had acquired great \ncredit during the revolution, he should be for restraining the \neligibility into the Senate to native citizens .\xe2\x80\x9d George Ma\xc2\xac \nson, in intellectual energy, delicacy of wit, extent of politi\xc2\xac \ncal attainments, and thrilling eloquence, ranked among the \nLees, Madisons and Henrys. Pierce Butler, of South Caro\xc2\xac \nlina, in the convention said : \xe2\x80\x9c He was opposed to the ad\xc2\xac \nmission of foreigners into the Senate without a long resi\xc2\xac \ndence in the country. They bring with them not only attach\xc2\xac \nments to other countries , but ideas of government so distinct \nfrom ours, that in every point of view they are dangerous. \nHe acknowledged that if he himself had been called into \npublic life within a short time after his coming to America, \nhis foreign habits , opinions , and attachments would have ren\xc2\xac \ndered him an improper agent in public affairs. He men\xc2\xac \ntioned the great strictness in Great Britain on this subject.\xe2\x80\x9d \nMr. Butler, before the revolution, was a major of a British \nregiment stationed at Boston, and was a descendant of the \nDukes of Ormund, of Ireland, and one of the first United \nStates Senators from South Carolina. Americans, here is a \nforeigner by birth, who rose to eminence in the councils of \nour nation, who tells you, from his own experience, that it is \nmost dangerous to appoint foreigners to offices of rank and \ntrust in our country, because of their foreign attachments \xe2\x80\x94 \ntheir habits , opinions , and ideas of government are so distinct \nfrom ours. \n\nWe might proceed to give the opinions of such men as \nSherman and Randolph\xe2\x80\x94the various delegates to the Con- \n\n\n1G \n\n\nvention from New-Hampshire, New-Jersey, South Carolina, \nGeorgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, who were opposed to \nthe eligibility of foreigners at all, to seats in Congress, or \nadvocates of the greatest restriction, but we presume we \nhave enlarged sufficiently upon this subject. Let us ob\xc2\xac \nserve, however, and we defy contradiction, that the para\xc2\xac \nmount consideration with all those who were in favor of \nadmitting foreigners, under any circumstances, to offices of \nhonor and responsibility in our government, at this period, \nwas that their total exclusion would incapacitate some of the \nmost distinguished men that had led our armies to victory, \nor assisted in framing our constitutional government. This \nungrateful tribute to their merit influenced James Madison, \nAlexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin, who, at the \nvery same time, expressed their great apprehensions of the \nfuture. Could they have looked through the vista of sixty \nyears, and beheld the character and tide of our present emi\xc2\xac \ngration \xe2\x80\x94 not men such as were of the revolution, of talent, \neducation, of fortune, distinction, possessing an ardent love \nof constitutional liberty, law-abiding, and of high moral \nworth \xe2\x80\x94 but the tide swelling from 3,000 annually to 400,- \n000, the large majority ignorant, degraded men, the contents \nof foreign penitentiaries, dungeons, hospitals, infirmaries, and \npauper houses \xe2\x80\x94 foreigners uneducated, the prolific source \nof all our riots, murders, midnight robberies, house-burnings, \nof religious and civil dissensions, that will bring upon us \nultimately, we fear, the loss of our political Paradise with \nunnumbered woes; we say, could they have seen what we \nnow witness, they would have then urged upon the States, \nand the General Government, that at the expiration of a \nfuture period, no foreigner by birth should exercise the elec\xc2\xac \ntive franchise, or be eligible to any office in the State or \nunder the Federal Government. \n\nWe will conclude this article by a reference to the senti\xc2\xac \nments of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, in relation \nto the dangers of foreign influence exercised upon the coun\xc2\xac \ncils of our nation. Mr. Hamilton observed that, \xe2\x80\x9cOne of \nthe weakest sides of Republics was their being liable to for\xc2\xac \neign influence and corruption. Men of little character acqui\xc2\xac \nring great power, become easily the tools of intermeddling \nneighbors. Sweden was a striking instance. The French \nand English had each their parties during the late revolution, \nwhich was effected by the predominant influence of the \nformer. What is the inference from all these observations? \nThat we ought to go as far in order to obtain stability and \n* permanency for our Republican principles as they will ad\xc2\xac \nmit.\xe2\x80\x9d Mr. Madison, also, speaking of foreign influence over \nthe departments of the general government, says: \xe2\x80\x9c He \n\n\n17 \n\n\npretended not to say that any such influence had yet been \ntried ; but it was naturally to be expected, that occasions \nwould produce it. As lessons which claim particular atten\xc2\xac \ntion, he cited the intrigues practiced among the Amphictionic \nConfederates, first by the Kings of Persia, and afterwards \nfatally by Philip of Macedon ; among the Achaians, first,by \nMacedon, and afterwards no less fatally by Rome; among \nthe Swiss, by Austria, France, and the lesser neighboring \npowers; among the Germanic Diets by France, England, \nSpain, and Russia; and in the Belgic Republic by all the \ngreat neighboring powers.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThus we have heard the solemn admonitions of the wisest \nand best men that ever adorned the illustrious pages of their \ncountry\xe2\x80\x99s history. Our Congress has not yet become as pro\xc2\xac \nverbially corrupt as the British Parliament; yet, in time it \nmay so become. Corruptions of an extraordinary character \nhave developed themselves in other departments of the \ngeneral government. This will open the door to foreign \nintrigue and gold. If millions are spent, in Europe by Rus\xc2\xac \nsia, England, France, Prussia, Austria and the Pope, to \ninfluence the councils of nations, and change the tides of \nempire withersoever they may direct, think you, Americans, \nthat their secret spies and emissaries are not in swarms \namongst us ? Shall we save our beloved country from the \nthick gathering perils that surround her \xe2\x80\x94 from the fearful \nvortex of ruin to which foreign influence is precipitating \nher ? If so, we must preserve our ballot box from their \nabuse \xe2\x80\x94 our offices from their prostitution. A wise precau\xc2\xac \ntion may avert danger; but indiscretion will certainly bring \nit on. i am AN AMERICAN. \n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0 NO. V. \n\nNatural and Legal Rights of Individuals and Nations, touching Emigra\xc2\xac \ntion \xe2\x80\x94 Extent and Character of our Foreign Immigration \xe2\x80\x94 Foreignwn \na Prolific Source of Abolitionism. \n\nGentlemen : Our last article concluded with an allusion to \nthe extent and character of our present immigration, in con\xc2\xac \ntradistinction to that of the revolution. We spoke in a \ngeneral , not an exceptive sense. For well we know there \nare many foreigners by birth among us, whose social virtues \nornament the varied circles of private life \xe2\x80\x94 some who \nhave illumined the councils of our nation by the light of \ntheir experience and wisdom \xe2\x80\x94 some who have irradiated \ntire classic pages of our literature with the bright halo of \n2 \n\n\n\nIS \n\n\nresplendent genuis; some who, on the battle-fields of \nimmortal memory, by their deeds of chivalry, bv their \nheart\xe2\x80\x99s blood of devotion, have shed upon our national \nescutcheon the splendor of an unfading glory. Of such we \nspoke not. But for you, also, and your children forever, we \nwish to preserve the memory of your illustrious deeds, and \nthe ineffable blessings of our free institutions. \n\nOne word to our Know Nothing friends throughout the \nState: Organize! Organize!! Be united in action, and \nunanimous in council. In these consist our invincibility. \nYou may expect your motives and principles aspersed. But \nwe will be just, and fear not, for \xe2\x80\x9c all the ends we aim at, \nare our country\xe2\x80\x99s, God\xe2\x80\x99s, and truth\xe2\x80\x99s. 5 \xe2\x80\x99 These shall vindi\xc2\xac \ncate our integrity and patriotism. \n\nWe will now proceed to discuss the subject of this arti\xc2\xac \ncle \xe2\x80\x94 the extent and character of our immigration. \n\nThe right of individuals to emigrate has been claimed by \nsome ethical and political philosophers as inalienable. They \nreason thus: Every man is endowed with certain inalienable \nrights, as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now, \nif individuals find that in the exercise and enjoyment of \nthese, the greatest amount of happiness of which their \nvaried condition is susceptible cannot be attained by the \nlaws and government of one State, they have the inaliena\xc2\xac \nble right to leave this, and go into another which they may \nprefer. Thus, the right to emigrate as well as immigrate, \nthey claim as absolute and imprescriptable, because they \nare correlative \xe2\x80\x94 the one being impossible without the \nother. Judge Blackstone terms them absolute rights : \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c For they belong to the persons of individuals in a state \nof nature , and which every man is entitled to enjoy, whether \nout of society or in it.\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94 Ckitty's Blackstone , vol. 1 p. 87. \n\nWe confess that we were never fascinated with the illu\xc2\xac \nsive reveries of philosophers like the wild Rousseau ; or the \nbeatific visions of poets, who dream of the golden age of \ninnocent ignorance, of savage virtue, uncorrupted by the \nvices of civilization. Has man any absolute rights, or \nthose of any character in a \xe2\x80\x9c state of nature,\xe2\x80\x9d out of soci\xc2\xac \nety, as Judge Blackstone supposes ? We answer no ! Man, \ndivested of his moral, social, and intellectual nature, is man \nin a state of nature, He has but one of his natures remain\xc2\xac \ning, that is his phj'sical. Man possessing only his physical \nnature, and \xe2\x80\x9c out of society,\xe2\x80\x9d is but an animal in the forest; \nless than a baboon, because, in his infancy, he is the most \nhelpless of all animals. Have animals inalienable or abso\xc2\xac \nlute rights? No, they have none at all. For we are told \nby the \xe2\x80\x9c Lips of Inspiration,\xe2\x80\x9d that all that wing the air. \nor roam the woods, or roll along the floods, were placed. \n\n\n19 \n\n\nunder the absolute dominion of man. Therefore, man, in a \n\xe2\x80\x9c state of nature, out of society,\xe2\x80\x9d is a mere animal; and \nwould have no rights, either alienable or inalienable. The \npresumption of Blackstone is false ; for mankind has never \nbeen found out of society,\xe2\x80\x9c in a state of nature,\xe2\x80\x9d since the \ncommencement of the world. Can man reproduce himself? \nNo. Therefore, woman is the complement of man, and as \nsuen they were created together. And they, with angels \nand the Creator of their beautiful world, formed their first \nsociety \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x99twas in Paradise. Adam and Eve dropped from \nthe plastic hand of the Almighty, perfect, fully developed \nin all their physical, moral, and intellectual proportions. \nHence, society is coeval with the existence of man, being \nas indispensable to his moral, social, and intellectual nature, \nas food for his physical. But what is society without laws, \nor government ? or what are these, hut to force individuals \nto do what they should do, and abstain from what they \nshould not do, all in the varied relations of life ? There\xc2\xac \nfore, the rights of individuals, are as they have been from \nthe beginning of time, relative \xe2\x80\x94 not \xe2\x80\x9cabsolute or inaliena\xc2\xac \nble \xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x94 controlled by the societies or governments of which \nthey may be members. \xe2\x80\x99Tis phrase absurd to will the right \nof emigration or immigration, absolute or inalienable. The \nobject of ail Governments is to promote the prosperity and \nfelicity of their citizens. Therefore, the right of self-pro\xc2\xac \ntection is as inalienable and absolute in Nations as in indi\xc2\xac \nviduals, and each Nation is sole Judge of what will best \npromote, or what may defeat these objects of its existence. \nAll nations, for the commission of crimes, imprison, and \neven take the lives of the citizen. All nations claim the \nright of expelling in peace or in war foreigners from their \nrealm, whose presence maybe dangerous to their welfare. \nAll nations claim the right of restraining the emigration of \ntheir citizens when an invading foe threatens the destruc\xc2\xac \ntion of their national existence. And yet these indisputable \nrights of governments, are in direct contravention of the \ninalienable or absolute right; of individuals to emigrate or \nimmigrate. In international law, the comity of nations has \nnever recognized the right of one government to send its \ncitizens, even in a ministerial capacity, into the dominions \nof another, without its authorized approval. From -their \ninalienable right, suppose we permitted all nations that \ndesired, to immigrate to America, what would become of \nour language, our religion, our laws, institutions, and nation\xc2\xac \nality ? There are in the world, 1,000,000,000 of inhabitants ; \nthe number of languages spoken, 8,000; different religions, \n1.000. Would not one-fourth of these inhabitants, with \ntheir different languages, religions, morals, and habits. \n\n\n20 \n\n\nimmigrating to the United States, obliterate Americanism \nfrom the face of the globe ? Did not the immigration of \nGoths and Vandals, of Huns and Ostrogoths in the Homan \nEmpire, sweep away from the Roman world almost every \nvestige of its arts and sciences \xe2\x80\x94 all the monuments of its \ngenius and civilization? It was from these very considera- \n-tions that the Jews, who were called the peculiar people of \nGod, were commanded not to inter marry with the heathen, \nnot to admit them to citizenship \xe2\x80\x94 to the blessings of their \ncivil or religious institutions. For a little leaven leaveneth \nthe whole lump. But the Jews disobeyed these admoni\xc2\xac \ntions of the Almighty, and they have, with the Greek and \nRoman, and every nation that followed their example, been \nswept from the world\xe2\x80\x99s theatre, as with a besom of destruc\xc2\xac \ntion. This admission into our country of foreigners from \nevery realm, with their different languages, religions, laws, \nand institutions, is to bring upon us also, we fear, a starless \nnight of desolation. Thus is it evident that all Govern\xc2\xac \nments have the right to protect themselves and their citizens \nagainst all foreign force or influence, whether of forcible \ninvasion or immigration. Let us examine first the extent, \nthen the character, of this foreign immigration. \n\nFirst, its extent. We have examined various census \nreports, not only from our own statistical bureaus, but from \nthose of Great Britain, France, and Germany \xe2\x80\x94 Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Mer\xc2\xac \nchants\xe2\x80\x99 Magazine, DeBow\xe2\x80\x99s Review, as well as the estimates \nof Tucker, Jarvis, and Chickering. Our careful estimate \n\n\nmay be relied upon, therefore: \n\nTotal population of the U. S. in 1850,.23,200,000 \n\nTotal white population in 1850,.19,561,192 \n\nTotal foreign population and increase in 1850,* \xe2\x80\xa2 2,500,000 \nTotal \xe2\x80\x9c \xe2\x80\x9c \xe2\x80\x9c 1854,. \xe2\x80\xa2 3,500,000 \n\n\nOur Census Bureau estimated the total population for \n1850, at 23,191,876. Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Merchants\xe2\x80\x99 Magazine, 23,257,- \n723. The Census Bureau estimates the foreign population \nand its increase in 1850, at 2,244,648 ; Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Magazine at \n3,191,909; Dr. Chickering at 4,303,416. From 1850 to 1854, \nthere arrived at the port of New-York alone, of Germans \nand Irish, 932,009; of Germans 458,261 ; of Irsh 474,748. \nIn 1851 the Germans amounted to 60,883; in 1854 to 168,- \n728. The Irish in 1850 amounted to 163,256; in 1854 to \n80,200. Thus the German emigration is much greater at \npresent than the Irish. \n\nAccording to Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Magazine and Dr. Chickering, 1 out \nof every 5 or 6 of our white population is a foreigner by \nbirth, or of immediate descent; by the Census Bureau, 1 in \n8; and by our estimate, which is the most probable, 1 in \n\n\n\n\n21 \n\n\nevery 7\xe2\x80\x94fractions in all cases rejected. If the future \nincrement of our foreign population be as great as it has \n\nbeen since 1850, the ratio will be reduced from 1 to every \n\n%/ \n\n7, to 1 in every 4 of our white population. \n\nOf the 2,500,000 foreigners in the United States, one-half \ncannot read or write intelligibly our language; three-fourths \nhave no intelligent ideas of our language, institutions, or \nthe genius of our government. Yet the naturalization laws \npresume, in the short space of five years, by some sort of \ngalvanism or exorcism \xe2\x80\x94 certainly by no educational pro\xc2\xac \ncess\xe2\x80\x94 that these illiterate foreigners can as thoroughly com\xc2\xac \nprehend them as a native citizen, and hence dignify them with \nall the rights and privileges of American citizenship. It is \nselling our glorious heritage for a mess of potage. Our \nlanguage and complex machinery of government, to for\xc2\xac \neigners, are the most difficult to comprehend, and what it \nrequires us 25 or 30 years to accomplish, these ignorant and \nunlettered \xe2\x80\x9c strangers \xe2\x80\x9d can do in the short space of five \nyears. How stupid we are, or how remarkably gifted they \nmust be. O age , art thou not ashamed of us ! O my coun\xc2\xac \ntry, hast thou not lost the \xe2\x80\x9c breed of noble blood /\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nForeignism is the prolific source of Abolitionism. For\xc2\xac \neigners, upon their arrival in the United States, are taught \nthat slave labor is cheaper than free labor, and that to work \nby the side of a slave, or for the same wages, sinks them to \nthe degraded level of a slave. Besides, he is taught, from \nnational jealousy and hatred, to oppose slavery; yet in their \nown Fatherland, themselves may be bondmen, without many \nof the comforts or conveniences of slaves. According to \nour Census Report of 1850, there were at that time in the \nUnited States, of foreigners born in foreign countries, 2,210,- \n830. There were : \n\n\nIn the Slave States,* * *. 30%,457 \n\nIn the Free States,.1,845,382 \n\nUnknown,.*.. \xe2\x80\xa2 \xe2\x80\xa2 \xe2\x80\xa2 33,809 \n\nOf the Slave States : \n\n\nMissouri had \nLouisiana \xe2\x80\x9c\xe2\x80\xa2 \nMaryland \xe2\x80\x9c \nKentucky \xe2\x80\x9c\xe2\x80\xa2 \nVirginia \xe2\x80\x9c \nTexas \xe2\x80\x9c\xe2\x80\xa2 \nDelaware \xe2\x80\x9c* \n\n\n72,474 \n\n66,413 \n\n53,288 \n\n29,189 \n\n22,394 \n\n16,774 \n\n5,211 \n\n\nTotal,. 265,743 \n\nOut of 305,457 of foreign born in the 15 Slave States, \nthese seven contained in 1850,265,743 \xe2\x80\x94 residue in the 8 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n22 \n\n\nStates, 40,714. Tennessee 5,740, There were in the States \n\n\nof \n\nNew-York,. 051,801 \n\nMassachusetts,. 100,909 \n\nVermont,.... \xe2\x80\xa2 32,801 \n\nPennsylvania,* \xe2\x80\xa2 .. 294,871 \n\nOhio,. 218,512 \n\nIllinois,.. 110,594 \n\nWisconsin,.*. 106,695 \n\n\nTotal in these seven States,.. 1,543,441 \n\n\nThese seven States contain out of a total foreign born \npopulation in the Free States, 1,845,382, at least 1,543,441, \nresidue 301,941. \n\nThus we see that these seven Free States contain nearly \nall the foreign population of our country ; and, as we will \nsoon see, nearly all the Abolition or ultra Freesoil vote of \nthe United States. In 1848, out of a total vote for Martin \nVan Buren for the Presidency of 291,078, they gave 245,- \n418 \xe2\x80\x94 residue 47,260. In 1853, they gave for John P. Hale, \nthe Abolition candidate for the Presidency, 122,929 votes of \nthe total given, 157,290 \xe2\x80\x94 residue 34,367. New-York,. Ohio, \nMassachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, Vermont, and Connecti\xc2\xac \ncut, are the hot beds of Abolitionism. \n\nIf we look towards the South, we will also see that Abo\xc2\xac \nlitionism is the violent concomitant of foreignism. Missouri \nhas more foreigners than any other Southern State, and she \nhas also more Abolitionists or ultra Freesoilers. Next come \nKentucky, Delaware, and Maryland, for their total popula\xc2\xac \ntion. These States haw, ever given for Van Buren and Hale, \nand upon all test questions, the largest Freesoil vote. The \nforeign population of Louisiana, SoUth-Carolina and Texas, \nare nearly all Frenchmen, Spaniards, or Mexicans. These \nhave never interfered with our local institutions, because \ntheir vocations are generally mercantile; and being from \nthe West Indies or Mexico, are sympathetic in language, \n\nblood, and institutions with manv of the native citizens of \n* \n\nthese States. Our emigration from the British Isles and \nGermany, that overwhelmingly preponderate in the Free \nStates, are nearly all Abolitionists, from education and inter\xc2\xac \nest. Therefore. Americans, if we would dry up the fountain \nhead of all our national animosity and sectional disquietude, \nwe must extract from all future immigrants the power to \naffect them. What care they for the compacts of the Con\xc2\xac \nstitution, or what know they of, or care for the rights of the \nindividual States? Their fathers fought not for our inde\xc2\xac \npendence, and framed not our glorious Constitution. And \nwhen they witness our Anniversary Celebration of the \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n23 \n\n\nFourth of July, and the Twenty-Second of February, and \nthe Eighth of January, do their souls, like ours, swell with \nthe inspirations of the Divinity that presides over them ? \nWhen they tread upon the immortal dust that consecrates' \nthe battle-fields of Lexington and Concord, of Yorktown \nand Brandywine, of Chippewa and New-Orleans, do they \nfeel, like we do, their souls rise kindling within them ? Do \nthey shed over our sweetest memories of the past, the \nwarm tears of gratitude and love ? Remember, children of \nthose ancestors who pierced with the death-shot and the \nbayonet the bosoms of freemen struggling for liberty, that \nwith a generous forgiveness, the same bosoms are opened \nas friends to receive you. They merely demand that they \nalone shall administer the laws and government which they \nalone fought for and established. Surely the owners of the \nVinevard should select their laborers. \n\nIn our next we shall continue the same subject. I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. VL \n\nCivil and Religious Freedom Maintained \xe2\x80\x94 The Extent and Character of \nour Foreign Immigration further considered in reference to our Territo\xc2\xac \nrial area , and as a Prolific Source oj Abolitionism , and Pauperism. \n\nGentlemen: We have been charged with being the pro\xc2\xac \nmoters of a religious animosity \xe2\x80\x94 the heralds of a religious \npersecution. This is false. We would not, for any tem\xc2\xac \nporal boon, betray the great principles of our civil and \nreligious freedom. We would not permit any temporal arm \nto profane the sacred Ark of our holy religion. Unlike the \nthe frantic Jacobin, we would not erect a splendid shrine, \neven to Liberty, upon the ruins of the temple of the \nAlmighty. But we would preserve separate and inviolable \nour political and religious liberty r . We would preserve \nimmaculate that other light, which is \xe2\x80\x98\xe2\x80\x98light from Heaven/\xe2\x80\x99 \nand which, like the fiery pillar to captive Israel, cheered \nour.forefathers through the storms of a seven-years Revolu\xc2\xac \ntion, and upon whose imperishable foundations, rises the \n\xe2\x9c\x93splendid fabric of our national glory. We would sever \nforever the adulterous connection between the Church and \nthe State \xe2\x80\x94 between the Throne and the Altar. For by it \nInfidelity has achieved a more extended dominion than by \nall the sophisms of her philosophy, or the terrors of a bloody \npersecution. It has made Court appendages of God\xe2\x80\x99s apos\xc2\xac \ntles, and of the Almighty himself, a Court purveyor; \xe2\x80\x9cit \n\n\n\n\n24 \n\n\nhas carved the Cross into a chair of State, where, with \ngrace upon his brow, and gold in his hand, the little Puppet \nof this world's vanity makes Omnipotence a menial to his \npower, and Eternity a pander to his profits.\xe2\x80\x9d Yes, we spurn \nalike the temporal interference of the Pope, and the spiritual \njurisdiction of the State. We would render unto Caesar the \nthings that are' Caesar\xe2\x80\x99s, and unto God the things that are \nGod\xe2\x80\x99s. This must suffice upon this topic, for the present; \nin due season we will confront all the charges made against \nthe American Order, and put them to the blush. Let us \nproceed to the subject of this article \xe2\x80\x94 a further examina- \nof the extent and character of our foreign immigration. \n\nIn our last article, we demonstrated the fact, that the \nAbolition influence and vote of the North had increased with \nthe astonishing increase of our naturalized citizens. And \nit is upon this ratio, as a basis, such Abolitionists as Thurlow \nWeed, Horace Greely, and William H. Seward, have made \ntheir future calculations of a disruption of this Union. For \nhave they not, throughout the entire North, allied themselves \nwith the foreign vote, and the Roman Catholic influence ? \nCheek by jowl stand, to-day, William H. Seward, the head \nand front of the Abolitionists, and Archbishop Hughes, the \nsoul and body of the Roman Catholics of the United States. \nHow formidable this combination! O, my country ! thou \nart as dear to me as are the \xe2\x80\x9c ruddy drops which now visit \nray sad heart.\xe2\x80\x9d Like some sweet jessamine, thou hast en\xc2\xac \ntwined thyself around about me, ever exhaling thy fra\xc2\xac \ngrance and thy love.' God of our beloved Washington, \nsnatch us from the jaws of the dreadful maelstroom to which \nour Ship of State is fast drifting! For thou alone can min\xc2\xac \nister to a nation whose mind is diseased, and pluck from its \nbosom all rooted evils. For the children of thy adoption, \nbare thy same Almighty arm, for hope and deliverance, upon \nwhich reposed the strong faith of our Revolutionary sires. \nConfound and overwhelm the councils of these plotters of \nouf national destruction, and bring thy favored people pure \nand refined once more out of the terrible ordeal through \nwhich they are passing. \n\nWe have given one \xe2\x80\x94 let us proceed to give another, of \nthe evil consequences arising from the extent of our foreign \nimmigration. A nation, like an individual, should he just \nbefore it is generous; and a nation, like an individual, is \nworse than an infidel, that will not provide for its own fam\xc2\xac \nily. These are the evident duties of nations, as well as indi\xc2\xac \nviduals. Is our territorial domain of such unlimited extent \nthat it would be just or provident in us, as a nation, to invite \nevery stranger from abroad to a partiiion of this inheritance \nof our children ! For a great nation confines not its caicu- \n\n\n25 \n\n\nlations to the present, but to the future it looks for its blazon \nof immortality , and advances its standards to the very confines \nof time . Then, have we more territorial domain than we \nwant for our present population, and their succeeding gen\xc2\xac \nerations ? We will see. The deductions which we submit \nto your solemn reflection, are from calculations based upon \ntwo of the most reliable sources of statistical information in \nthe United States \xe2\x80\x94 the Census Bureau, and Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Mer\xc2\xac \nchants\xe2\x80\x99 Magazine. The former supposes our total popula\xc2\xac \ntion in 1850 to have amounted to 23,191,876 ; the latter, \n23,257,723. The former estimates our total territorial do\xc2\xac \nmain at 2,936,166 square miles ; the latter, at 3,136,447. \nThere is but a slight difference between these authorities. \nWe will take the Census Report for our first hypothesis. If \nour future increase of population for 95 years be such as it \nwas from 1840 to 1850 \xe2\x80\x94 at the rate of 35.87 percent \xe2\x80\x94 \nwe will have a population \n\nIn 1860,. 21,510,802 \n\nin 1900,.107,387,504 \n\nIn 1950,.497,246,365 \n\nIf our future increase should be such as it has been from \n1790 to 1850 \xe2\x80\x94 at the rate of 34.445 percent-\xe2\x80\x94we will \nthen have a population of, \n\nIn 1860,. 31,178,998 \n\nIn 1900,. 101,838,397 \n\nIn 1950,.447,159,670 . \n\n\nThus, by either of these calculations, we will swell our \npresent population in 95 years to four hundred and fifty mil\xc2\xac \nlions\xe2\x80\x94 almost one-half of the present population of the \nglobe. Our calculations based upon that of Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Mer\xc2\xac \nchants\xe2\x80\x99 Magazine, estimating our future increase for 95 \nyears according to his ratio of our increase from 1840 to \n1850, at 36.25 per cent., would give us a population of, \n\nIn 1860,. 31,686,647 \n\nIn 1900,. 109,206,811 \n\nIn 1950,.512,781,414 \n\n\nThe average ratio from 1790 to 1850, without including \nimmigrants , according to Hunt\xe2\x80\x99s Magazine, is about 30 per \ncent., and according to this, our future population will be, \n\nIn I860,. 30,335,039 \n\nIn 1900,. 86,639,902 \n\nIn 1950,. 321.687,886 \n\n\nWith these results staring us in the face, is it just or prov\xc2\xac \nident in a wise nation to distribute among strangers, who do \nnot appreciate the boon, the inheritance of our own chil\xc2\xac \ndren, every inch of which they will need in 95 years? Re\xc2\xac \nmember, too, that much of our national domain can never \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nbe occupied or tilled. For it consists of barren wastes and \nmountains, of wide lakes and rivers. We should question \nthe wisdom of that man\xe2\x80\x99s charity who would go abroad to \niind objects for its blessings, while he leaves his own family \nat home to future beggary and starvation. \xe2\x80\x9cLet thy charity \ncommence first at home,\xe2\x80\x9d Americans ! Already our popula\xc2\xac \ntion is so dense that we have 7 to every square mile; and if \nit equaled that of Norway and Sweden, it would amount to \n45,000,000, or 15 inhabitants to the square mile ; if it equaled \nRussia\xe2\x80\x99s, it would amount to 85,000,000, or 28 to the square \nmile; if equal to Spain\xe2\x80\x99s, 200,000,000, or 78 to the square \nmile ; if equal to that of France, 500,000,000, or 172 to the \nsquare mile. Do we desire this redundant population, with \nits millions of paupers, and millions of money to sustain \nthem ; with extreme poverty and extreme low wages of \nlabor; with millions of objects of charity ; with the loss of \nour national vigor and health ; with crime and debauchery ; \nwith licentiousness aud decay? Let us take one element of \nan overgrown population\xe2\x80\x94 pauperism \xe2\x80\x94 and see what it \nwould cost us nationally, if our population was much more \ndense. England and Wales in 1840 contained a population \nof 15,800,000, and the public expenditure for pauperism was \nover $22,000,000; in 1848, their population amounted to \n17,500,000, and their public expenditure to $30,000,000 ; at \nthis time, 1855, it would amount to at least $40,000,000. \nThis immense amount is independent of private charities, \ngiven in 1848, to over 1,600,000 paupers. This single ele\xc2\xac \nment of a redundant population costs England and Wales \nas many millions as would defray annually the total expen\xc2\xac \nses of our Government. Let us look to Massachusetts, the \nmost densely populated State in our Union, affording as it \ndoes, further evidence of this fact. In 1845 the city of Bos\xc2\xac \nton alone paid for her pauperism $24,000, and the State paid \nfor the same $27,000 \xe2\x80\x94\xe2\x80\xa2 total $51,000 ; and this sum is inde\xc2\xac \npendent of private charities given to 3,478 paupers In \n1854, her pauperism, three-fourths of which was foreign , \ncould not have cost less, publicly and privately, than $100,- \n000. New-York, with its 500,000 inhabitants, contained lest \nyear (as we are informed by the public press,) at least 80,- \n000 inhabitants at one time, who were objects of public \nand private charity, and these, also, were nearly all foreign\xc2\xac \ners. If New-York had contained a population of 3.000,000, \nwhat, last year, would have been the number of her paupers , \nthe extremity of their sufferings, and the vast expenditures \nfor their relief? Americans, this rapid increase of foreign \nimmigration must be curtailed and regulated ; our territo\xc2\xac \nrial domain husbanded for our own children, and our vast \npublic and private expenditures for foreign pauperism \n\n\n27 \n\n\nabridged, or our future will be filled with the most terrible \nconsequences. \n\nContemplating the past, and glancing at the future, what \na powerful nation for good or evil, (if we remain united,) \nare we destined to become \xe2\x80\x94 compared to which the storied \ngrandeur of Babylonian, Assyrian, and Roman Empires \ndwindle into insignificance. Like Jonah\xe2\x80\x99s gourd, in a night \nwe have sprung into existence, and cast our shadow far \nover the green earth. If fall we must, if not by suicidal or \nfratricidal hands, it will be only by foreign influence and \nimmigration. L T nited, even now, w r e could prevail against \ninvading Europe, bristling in arms. If sink we must, let us \ngo down beneath the waves, like a full orbed sun in a cloud\xc2\xac \nless sky, leaving as a golden radiance behind, the memory of \nillustrious virtues, that will illumine the tomb in which our \ngreatness lies inurned. \n\nThe next branch of our subject is the character' of our \nforeign immigration\xe2\x80\x94a volume whose gloomy pages har\xc2\xac \nrow up the soul. Pauperism and crime are the chief fea\xc2\xac \ntures of this character. By an examination of the Census \nReports of 1850, you find that the whole number of paupers \nsupported in whole or in part by the States of this Union in \nthe year 1849, was 134,9*2; of which number there were \n68.538 foreign paupers \xe2\x80\x94 over one half. They cost the \nState Governments and the counties in round numbers $3,- \n000,000. Thus foreign immigration, by pauperism alone, \nentailed upon the States in 1849, an expenditure of more \nthan $1,500,000. Remember that this enormous amount is \nindependent of private charities to foreign paupers, which \nthroughout the North alone would amount to $500,000 \nadditional. This was in 1849 ; 'since which time our for\xc2\xac \neign population has increased much more rapidly. To-day, \nforeign pauperism alone costs the citizens of the United \nStates not less annually than $2,500,000 or three millions of \ndollars. \n\nJNew-York has a larger foreign population than any other \nState in the Union. The paupers of New-York, supported \nby the State in 1849, amounted to 59,855, and they cost the \nState $817,336. Out of this almost incredible number, 40,- \n580 were foreigners. Massachusetts had in 1849, 15,777 \npaupers supported by the State and counties ; of this num\xc2\xac \nber 9,247, were foreigners \xe2\x80\x94 the total cost was about $400,- \n000. This was also independent of private charities. In \n1855 the total cost of foreign pauperism to the State cannot \nbe less than $300,000. The same ratio of numbers and \ncost of foreign pauperism extends throughout the entire \nNorth \xe2\x80\x94 proportionate to their foreign population. \n\n\n> \n\n\n28 \n\n\nThis fact is proven also from the Southern or Slave States \nin which the foreign population is greatest. Missouri has a \ngreater foreign population than any other Slave State. In \n1849, of a total number, 2,977 of State paupers, 1,729 were \nforeigners; total cost of support $53,243. Maryland, next \nto Missouri in its amount of foreign population, had in 1849, \n4,494 paupers; out of which number 1,903 were foreigners. \nThe total number of Slave States in the Union is fifteen. \nThey had in 1849 total number of paupers 21,258; of theso \nonly 4,848 were foreigners; and the total cost to these fif\xc2\xac \nteen States for pauperism, was $602,902. Thus you see that \nNew-York alone is annually taxed to support twice as many \nforeign paupers, as there are native and foreign paupers in \nthe whole fifteen Slave States; and at a cost equal to that \nof their entire pauper population. A very astute statician \ncalculates that annually the people of the United States are \ntaxed ($4,000,000)\xe2\x80\x94 four millions of dollars to support for\xc2\xac \neign pauperism. This amount would in 20 years build our \nPacific Railroad. \n\nHow cursed are the Northern States with, and how blessed \nare the Southern States without, this foreign population. \nBut this is only one of its features. How much better would \nit be for us and our children, if we were rid of this foreign \nincubus, and the millions we annually expend for its support \nwere expended for the education of our children, or the \ninternal improvements of the States'! \n\nFellow-citizens, what think you, from this glance, of the \nfuture unfoldings of the picture ? Are such fit persons to \nexercise the elective franchise \xe2\x80\x94 to hold office \xe2\x80\x94 to enjoy all \nthe immunities and privileges of American citizens \xe2\x80\x94 to \nwield hereafter the destinies of our glorious Republic ? \n\nThe same subject to be continued in our next. I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. VII. \n\nObjections to the American Order considered\xe2\x80\x94Secrecy \xe2\x80\x94 Proscription \xe2\x80\x94 \nMystery \xe2\x80\x94 Mode of Nominating and Electing Candidates for Office, \nopposed to Demagogueical Electioneering. \n\nGentlemen : Before we resume the further discussion of \nthe character of our foreign population, let us briefly notice \nsome of the objections which have been urged against our \nOrder. \n\nIt is said our organization is secret in its character , and \ntherefore dangerous to popular liberty and constitutional \n\n\n\n29 \n\n\ngovernment. Bat this objection is no less applicable to \nFree-Masonry, Odd-Fellowship, the Sons of Temperance, \nand similar kindred secret associations. It is said that the \nmembers of our Order are bound together by the most solemn \nobligations , and therefore it is criminal as well as objection\xc2\xac \nable. But this objection is likewise applicable to Free-Ma\xc2\xac \nsonry, Odd-Fellowship, and the Sons of Temperance. It is \nsaid that our Order is political in its origin and end, and that \nambitious demagogues and parties will avail themselves of \nits potency for the promotion of their selfish advancement, or \nthe subversion of our Republican institutions. But the same \nhas been alleged of Free-Masonry and the Sons of Temper\xc2\xac \nance. Wm. H. Seward, the chief priest of Northern Abo\xc2\xac \nlitionists and the \xe2\x80\x9c higher law party,\xe2\x80\x99\xe2\x80\x99 owes his first political \nelevation to his opposition to Free-Masonry, and every \nbeardless demagogue make his opposition to, or advocacy of \nTemperance, his first political hobby. Why do not these \nfastidious opponents of our Order object to the secret councils \nof the President and his Cabinet, to those of the Executive \nCommittees of the Whig and Democratic parties during the \nsessions of Congress, and their District, State, and Federal \nelections; for all these are \xe2\x80\x9csealed books \xe2\x80\x9d to the public eye, \nand are of apolitical and party character; the most potent \nauxiliaries of individual and party advancement? Why do \nthey not object to those most secret and mysterious religious \ndenominations \xe2\x80\x94 the Jesuits and Roman Catholics \xe2\x80\x94 the \nsolemn and awful oaths of allegiance made by their Priests, \nBishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals, to their spiritual and \ntemporal sovereign, the Pope ? Would the penalty of death \nextort from Bishop Miles, or Archbishop Hughes, a transcript \nof their oaths of ordination and allegiance to Pope Pius the \nNinth ? No, never. Here is a religion that erects behind \nall constitutions and governments a throne of obedience as \nhigh as heaven \xe2\x80\x94 whose day-god has been universal domina\xc2\xac \ntion, spiritual and temporal \xe2\x80\x94 that amid all the changes of \nthrones and dynasties, for hundreds of years, has struggled \nfor the keys of kingdoms, and the treasures of all nations. \n\nTo whom are we dangerous? To the American people? \n\xe2\x80\x99Tis impossible ; for native Americans of all political parties \nmay join us if they desire. Certainly, therefore, the Ameri\xc2\xac \ncan people can not be dangerous to themselves ; they will \nnot commit political suicide ; they will not subvert their own \nliberty and institutions. Do not the American people now \nwield all political power in this government \xe2\x80\x94 are they not \nits centre and circumference ? We do not seek to disturb \nthem, but to confirm and establish the same people in their \nlegitimate and constitutional supremacy forever. To what \n\n\n\n\n30 \n\n\nare we dangerous? To the Constitution of the United \nStates, or to those of the States? No ; but these we swear, \nupon the altars of the Fathers of our Republic and our God, \nto support and maintain even by our hearts\xe2\x80\x99 blood. \n\n| Again, it is said that we exclude some citizens from our \nOrder, and, therefore, it is proscriptive . We exclude those \nonly unworthy of general confidence , or who do not regard \nour obligations as obligatory upon themselves. All such \nare excluded as witnesses in our courts of judicature ; from \nthe Orders of Free-Masons, Sons of Temperance, and Odd- \nFellows. We do not force or inveigle any to join our Order. \nWe seek no one, but are sought by all; and no one is permit\xc2\xac \nted membership until he is made acquainted with the char\xc2\xac \nacter of our order and his obligations. No member of our \norder is bound by any obligation repugnant to the constitu\xc2\xac \ntion of the United States or that of the State in which he \nresides, for we have no such obligations. If any member of \nour order desires to withdraw, he receives an honorable dis\xc2\xac \nmissal, and may, if he prefers, oppose privately or publicly \ncar organization, and he is not for this persecuted or de\xc2\xac \nnounced. We only demand of such not to reveal anything \nwhich was confided to their honor and veracity as gentle\xc2\xac \nmen and Christians. In all this we do not differ from Free- \nMasons, Sons of Temperance, and Odd-Fellows. The \nobjects and ends of these secret benevolent institutions, are \ngenerous, noble, beautiful, to-wit: benevolence, charity, and \ntemperance; but those of our organization are loftier and \nmore comprehensive; to preserve perpetually our beloved \ncountry with all of its glorious civil, political, moral, and \nreligious institutions, in their pristine vigor and excellence. \n\nOur order is called a mysterious and impenetrable associ\xc2\xac \nation. Yet five hundred newspapers throughout the Union \nhave hung our banners upon their outer walls, openly and \ndefiantly proclaiming our principles and sentiments, while \ndistinguished statesmen in and out of Congress, and citizens \nin every State of the Union, upon the house tops and in the \nstreets, are daily advocating them against the aspersions of \ntheir enemies. We established the first council in this State \nsome five months ago, and now we number over 275 councils \nand 50,000 members ; and should our future accessions com\xc2\xac \npare favorably with our past, by July next we will number \nover 400 lodges, and from seventy-five to one hundred thou\xc2\xac \nsand members. We are as united as a band of brothers, and \nstand like \xe2\x80\x9c grey hounds in the slips, straining upon the \nstart,\xe2\x80\x9d to avail ourselves of every opportunity to rescue our \ncountry from the only fearful danger that now imminently \nthreatens it \xe2\x80\x94 foreign influence at home and abroad. \n\n\n31 \n\n\nWe are called a secret organization, and yet the Indiana \nSentinel, the Democratic Review, and the Nashville Union \nhave, as they presumed , published to the world our signs, \nkeys, pass-words, and constitution. Will gentlemen who \nbelieve in their genuineness attempt to enter our Council \nchambers through these delusive lattices ? Credulity is ever \nthe offspring or handmaid of ignorance, fanaticism, or ma\xc2\xac \nlignity. We once heard of Morgan\xe2\x80\x99s revelations of Masonry. \nNone enjoyed the hoax so much as Masons. For they would, \nwith those who were duped into the belief of their truth, \nupturn their eyes, and with them exclaim, \xe2\x80\x9c \xe2\x80\x99Twas strange, \n\xe2\x80\x99twas passing strange ; \xe2\x80\x99twas pitiful, \xe2\x80\x99twas wondrous pitiful.\xe2\x80\x9d \nAn amusing occurrence happened in our little village yes\xc2\xac \nterday. One of the seemingly knowing b\xe2\x80\x99hoys accosted a \nlobster headed companion in the street with the \xe2\x80\x9c Nashville \nUnion\xe2\x80\x9d in his hand, bellowing out \xe2\x80\x9cEastman\xe2\x80\x99s got \xe2\x80\x99um \xe2\x80\x94 \nEastman\xe2\x80\x99s got\xe2\x80\x99urn.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9c Yes,\xe2\x80\x9d replied the companion, \xe2\x80\x9cjust \nread it, so I have \xe2\x80\x94 I told you so \xe2\x80\x94 I told you so.\xe2\x80\x9d The far\xc2\xac \ncical occurrence reminded us very much of the trite story of \nthe calf and the grindstone . As the story goes \xe2\x80\x94 there was \nonce a doting husband who had a wife remarkable for her \nprophetic ken , who, whenever her husband announced to her \nany startling fact, always bounced upon her feet and replied, \n\xe2\x80\x9c I told you so \xe2\x80\x94 I told you so.\xe2\x80\x9d One day the husband wish\xc2\xac \ning to have a little fun, rushed into the house and cried out \nat the top of his voice\xe2\x80\x99 \xe2\x80\x9c Old woman ! old woman ! the calf \nhas swallowed the grindstone ! \xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9c The devil you say,\xe2\x80\x9d she \n\nexclaimed, \xe2\x80\x9c I told you so .\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9c If you did old lady,\xe2\x80\x9d very \n\ncoolly replied.the husband, \xe2\x80\x9c you told a devil of a lie /\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nOne of the objects of our Order is to put an end to all \ndemagogueism and the present vitiating and bankrupting \nmode of electioneering. Our candidates for all offices are \nnominated by the majority of all the members legally com\xc2\xac \npetent to vote in their election; without their solicitation or \nimportunity. The office seeks them, they cannot seek it. \nHence we procure generally the very best men. No mem\xc2\xac \nber of our Order can, when nominated, electioneer in cross \nroad groceries or drinking saloons, or use the ordinary cor\xc2\xac \nrupt mode of canvassing to secure his election. If so, and \nthe Order is cognizant of the fact, they will withdraw his \nname, and besides he subjects himself to expulsion. On the \nday of the election each member proceeds quietly to the \npolls and deposits his vote, and cannot solicit or bribe others \nto vote for his candidate. This prevents riots, bloodshed \nand strife at the ballot-box, and the illegal and criminal ex\xc2\xac \nercise of the elective franchise. \n\nHow important these reformations, when we remember \nthe excitements, riots, affrays, bettings, buying up of votes \n\n\n32 \n\n\nt \n\n\nillegal voting, drunkenness, debauchery, and other iniquities \nthat have characterized past canvasses and election days. \nSuch are some of the plain and truthful expositions of our \nOrder. \n\nOne word to the gallant brothers of our Order, and we \nwill close this article. The canvass is opening\xe2\x80\x94 stand fast \nto your colors, and victory will set upon our helms. Remem\xc2\xac \nber the inspiring words of the heroic Nelson to his sailor sol\xc2\xac \ndiers at the battle of Trafalgar \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9cEngland (your country) \nexpects every man to do his duty.\xe2\x80\x9d I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. VIII. \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 * \n\nThe Sublime virtue of Patriotism \xe2\x80\x94 Reflections suggested by the Exalted \nPosition of the United States among the Nations of the Earth \xe2\x80\x94 For\xc2\xac \neign enmity to our Republican Government \xe2\x80\x94 Foreign elements of dis\xc2\xac \nsension and insecurity in our midst \xe2\x80\x94 In the Army, Navy, and Civil \nOffices of the Country \xe2\x80\x94 The Foreign Vote and Influence in Presiden\xc2\xac \ntial Elections\xe2\x80\x94The Balance of Power\xe2\x80\x94The Character of our For\xc2\xac \neign-born Population further considered, with reference to Crime and \nIgnorance \xe2\x80\x94 Additional Views of Washington and Jefferson. \n\nGentlemen : Patriotism is a divine love of country \xe2\x80\x94 it is \nthe religion of liberty \xe2\x80\x94 a sublime virtue of the most ex\xc2\xac \nalted minds. Our country is our common Mother, in whose \nunity all isolated individuals are merged .and blended\xe2\x80\x94 \nwhose sacred name expresses the voluntary fusion of all in\xc2\xac \nterests into one sole interest, of all lives into one perpetually \nenduring life. This holy fusion of all interests and life into \none, is the prolific source of ineffable blessings; the inex\xc2\xac \nhaustible origin of a continual and otherwise impossible \nprogress; the pure fountain from which issue all moral, in\xc2\xac \ntellectual, and national development, productive energy, \nsecurity and prosperity. It exists and is perpetuated, by the \ndevotion of each to all, by banishing from the heart all \nabject selfishness, and sacrificing one\xe2\x80\x99s self for the good and \nthe general welfare of the whole. This is our oum beloved \ncountry ; the model of fraternal organizations, based on \nnatural justice and equality. Therefore our untiring zeal \nshould be, to preserve in its entire integrity the salutary \nprinciple of the perfect and absolute equality of rights of \nall citizens and States \xe2\x80\x94 from which emanate all private \nand public liberty, all individual and national felicity. We \nshould not permit attacks from any quarter upon the sole, \nlegitmate sovereignity \xe2\x80\x94 that of the people; nor the sus\xc2\xac \npension of its exercise for any cause whatever; nor a sub- \n\n\n\n33 \n\n\nstitution of any domination, whether temporal or spiritual; \nnor should we bend the knee to any master, save the Al\xc2\xac \nmighty. To do so is to renounce for ourselves and our chil\xc2\xac \ndren. all true dignity and equality ; to prostrate ourselves \nupon the ruins of society at the feet of despotism ; to betray \nthe sacred cause of right and humanity ; to deny the hal\xc2\xac \nlowed name of country. The stall, where beasts of service \neat and sleep, cannot be one\xe2\x80\x99s country. \n\nThis patriotic devotion to one\xe2\x80\x99s country, in all ages, and \namid all nations, has been the inspiring theme of bards and \norators; it has made the animated marble speak, and the \nbreathing canvass glow in mute omnipotence; it has be\xc2\xac \nqueathed to immortal memory names that cannot die, and \ndeeds that consecrate the spots where lie inurned the holo\xc2\xac \ncausts of liberty. For this, the noble Cato shed his own \nheart\xe2\x80\x99s blood, rather than behold any longer the national \ndegradation of his country, which he might be said to have \nloved with a religious adoration: for his purity and patriot\xc2\xac \nism, like Egypt\xe2\x80\x99s Pyramids, towered sublimely amid an \nalmost universal desolation. For this, the last of the Grac- \nchii expired, whose scattered dust toward Heaven gave birth \nto a Marius, less distinguished for having exterminated the \nCimbri, than for having prostrated forever the aristocracy of \nthe Patrician nobility, beneath whose blows the heroic sons \nof Cornelia fell. For this, Codrus, the last of the Athenian \nKings, and the patriotic Deceii, voluntarily immolated their \nlives. When was it that the Athenians became the protec\xc2\xac \ntors of Greece, and appeared the most patriotic and formid\xc2\xac \nable? It was when Xerxes, with his Persian millions, had \ninvaded their country; consigning their houses and posses\xc2\xac \nsions to the flames of the enemy, and transfering their \nwives, their children, their aged parents, and the symbols of \ntheir religion, on board of their fleet, they considered them\xc2\xac \nselves as the Republic, and their fleet as their country, and \nthen struck that terrible blow at Salamis, under which the \ngreatness of Persia sunk forever. When was it the Romans \nappeared at once the most terrible and invincible? \xe2\x80\x9c It was \nwhen seventy thousand of their sons lay bleeding at Cannae, \nand Hannibal, victorious over three Roman armies and \ntwenty nations, was thundering at the gates of their imperial \ncity.\xe2\x80\x9d It was then, swearing on their swords in the pres\xc2\xac \nence of the fathers of the Republic, never to despair of it, \nthey marched forth with the patriotic determination to con\xc2\xac \nquer or to die. From this resolution, the power and glory of \nCarthage evanished forever. \n\nBut why should we roam abroad to find examples of a \nreligious love of liberty \xe2\x80\x94\xe2\x96\xa0 of patriotic devotion to one\xe2\x80\x99s coun\xc2\xac \ntry ? Immortal sires of our Revolution ! Your Declaration \n3 \n\n\n34 \n\n\nof Independence gave new birth to liberty, inaugurating at \nonce a new era and a new world. Thus suspending your\xc2\xac \nselves between magnificence and ruin, with a patriotism \nthat no temptations of earth could seduce, you dashed from \nyour lips the poisoned chalice of European despotism, and \nspurned her crowns and principalities as you did the haugh\xc2\xac \nty legions with which she sought to intimidate you. Amid \nall the vicissitudes of your seven years\xe2\x80\x99 conflict, you dis\xc2\xac \nplayed a love of liberty that defied all misfortune, and \npatriotism that gave new grace to victory. Washington \nand Jackson, Scott, Taylor, and Harrison, at Concord and \nLexington, upon the Thames and the Brandywine, at New \nOrleans and in Mexico \xe2\x80\x94 for their country, you and your \nchildren have fought and bled ! Hamilton, Madison and \nFranklin, Rutledge, Jay, and Jefferson, Webster, Clay, and \nCalhoun \xe2\x80\x94 your wisdom and patriotism are the land-marks \nof the nation \xe2\x80\x94 its imperishable monuments forever. Amer\xc2\xac \nican heroes and patriots, your race is the last and noblest of \ntime. Yes, my countrymen\xe2\x80\x94 \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cThe first four acts already past, \n\nA fifth shall close the drama of the day; \n\nTime's noblest offspring is the last .\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThese reflections have been forced upon us from the \nexalted position which a mysterious Providence has assigned \nus among the nations of the earth, and from the alarming \ndangers that are gathering and thickening all around about \nus, both at home and abroad. Look to the distant heavens; \nupon the horizon lowers a storm-cloud from agitated Eu\xc2\xac \nrope\xe2\x80\x94a fearful combination of potent States against us\xe2\x80\x94 \nEngland and France, Austria and Spain. The latter, the \nmiserable instrument of provocation and menaced ven\xc2\xac \ngeance. Look into your own bosom ; you feel already the \ntremblings of a quiescent volcano \xe2\x80\x94 civil disorders, sectional \nanimosities, national disruption. Do you doubt the Euro\xc2\xac \npean combination against us? It has been announced upon \nthe floors of the British Parliament by Lord Clarendon; \nechoed by the London Times, the mouth piece of the British \nMinistry; it has been insinuated by the Emperor, and the \nPress of France; it has been proclaimed by Senator Cass \nin our own Congress \xe2\x80\x94 by our Ministers to France, England, \nand Spain ; and it has been confirmed by the direct inter\xc2\xac \nference of their Consuls and Ministers in our Diplomatic \nnegotiations with China, the Sandwich Isles, Central Amer\xc2\xac \nica, the West India Islands, and Spain. Even now, from the \nwaters of Havana, the bristled cannon of their combined \nfleet indirectly point to our shores. How shall we weather \nthis storm, that threatens from abroad ? How shall we \nextinguish the volcanic elements that are gathering within \neur own bosom ? \n\n\n35 \n\n\nCitizens of Tennessee, if there ever was a time when such \nillustrious examples of an ardent love of liberty and patriotic \ndevotion to country could inspire us above ordinary men, it is \neven now. Foreign influence has attempted abroad to th wart \nour expansion, prosperity, and power. Foreign influence \nhas employed at home every means to produce a national \ndisruption, by sowing all seeds of civil discord, and foment\xc2\xac \ning mutual distrust and sectional alienation. Our only, sal\xc2\xac \nvation lies in the stalwa t arms and patriotic bosoms of united \nNative Americans. Native Americans, do you rule America, \nor are you and your destinies in the hands of strangers to \nyour institutions \xe2\x80\x94 foreigners by birth ? Look at your diplo\xc2\xac \nmatic corps abroad \xe2\x80\x94 to your army, navy, and Federal offices \nat home. You are becoming politically proscribed. A \nFrench Red Republican was sent to Spain \xe2\x80\x94 an Austrian \nJew to Holland \xe2\x80\x94 an Irish Fillibuster to Portugal-\xe2\x80\x94an Eng\xc2\xac \nlish Socialist to Naples ; while a Roman Catholic has been \nappointed to a seat in the Cabinet, arid another is Chief Jus\xc2\xac \ntice of the United States. Your Merchant\xe2\x80\x99s Marine consists \nof 112,000 seamen \xe2\x80\x94 of these one-third are foreigners; your \nNavy of over 8,000 sailors \xe2\x80\x94 of these one-fourth are foreign\xc2\xac \ners: your Army, over 10,000 officers and soldiers \xe2\x80\x94 of these \n7,000 are foreigners; your officers in the various depart\xc2\xac \nments of the General Government in 1854, amounted to \nnatives 982\xe2\x80\x94 foreigners 3,321 ! # \n\nAmericans! you ask yourselves why all this? We will \ntell you, and let the solmen truth sink down deep into your \nhearts. The Foreign vote and influence now hold the bal\xc2\xac \nance of power in our government, and they have elected \nevery President of the United States since 183G. The for\xc2\xac \neign vote in 1838 amounted to 150,000, and Martin Van \nBuren, who received it, was elected over all opposition by \n25,413 ; in 1840 it amounted to 200,000, and Harrison\xe2\x80\x99s ma\xc2\xac \njority over Van Buren was 146,000; in 1844 it amounted to \n250,000, and Polk\xe2\x80\x99s majority over Clay was 38,801 ; in 1848 \nthe foreign vote was 325,000, and Taylor\xe2\x80\x99s majority over \nCass 39,605 ; in 1852 it was 400,000, and Pierce\xe2\x80\x99s majority \nover Scott was 202,679. In 1856 the foreign vote will in\xc2\xac \ncrease to 600,000. According to the Census Report the \nforeign vote in 1850 amounted to 372,000, while there were \n372,000 foreigners additional, capable of voting. Thus to \nconciliate this foreign vote and influence, the true lords of the \nmanor and their children, have been driven from their inher- \n\n\n* This last statement, as to the \xe2\x80\x9c departments of the General Govern* \niKiant,\xe2\x80\x9d is taken from the leading American Journals. It is denied by the \nWashington Union, but its contradiction is no proof that the statement is \nmot true, for the Union is one of the bitterest enemies of the Order, \n\n\n\n36 \n\n\nitance, and its possession and government are rapidly being \ntransferred to the hands of strangers. This has been the \nvortex and sepulchre of nations; and unless we at once \nrush to our country\xe2\x80\x99s rescue, its declination will be as rapid \nas its ascension. \n\nBut alas, the character ot 'this foreign population ! This \nbrings us to our concluding remarks upon this topic. We \nhave spoken of .its pauperism, let us now speak of its \ncrime and its ignorance. \n\nThe total number of persons convicted for the various \noffences in the United States during the year ending in 1850, \nwere of natives 12,855\xe2\x80\x94 foreigners 13,091; and this not\xc2\xac \nwithstanding our native population was seven times greater \nthan the foreign. According to the Census Report, for vari\xc2\xac \nous offences there were confined in the jails and penitentia\xc2\xac \nries of the States during the same time, of every 10,000 \nnatives, 1,882 ; of every 10,000 foreigners, 6,690. To prove \nmost conclusively that crime , like pauperism, ever dogs the \nheels of our foreign population, we will instance a few \nStates in which it most abounds. The number of criminals \nconvicted in 1850 were in Illinois, of natives 127 \xe2\x80\x94 foreign\xc2\xac \ners 189 ; Maine, natives 284 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 460 ; in Massa\xc2\xac \nchusetts, of natives 3,366 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 3,884; in New \nYork, of natives 3,962 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 6.317; in Louisiana, \nof natives 197 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 100; in Missouri, of natives \n242 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 666. New-York in the North and Mis\xc2\xac \nsouri in the South have had the greatest sectional amount \nof foreign population. \n\nThe ignorance of our foreign population we will next \nbriefly consider. There were in the United States in 1850, \nforeigners who could neither read nor write, over the age of \ntwenty , 195.114 ; at present, 225,000 ; and under this age and \nover five years, 400,000. In Connecticut there were of \nnatives 4,013 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 5,235; in Maine, of natives \n4,149 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 6,282; in Rhode Island, of natives \n1,217 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 2.359; in Massachusetts, of natives \n1,861 \xe2\x80\x94of foreigners 26,484 ; in New-York, of natives 30,- \n670 \xe2\x80\x94 of foreigners 68,052. We might proceed with other \nstatistical information relative to the foreign blind, deaf, dumb, \ninsane, and idiotic \xe2\x80\x94 the annual cost of these, and foreign \npaupers, and convicts, and inmates of jails, penitentiaries \nand almshouses, to the people of the United States; but \nwhat we have already exhibited ought to suffice to convince \nthe most skeptical of the imminent dangers which threaten \nour country. Are these degraded and ignorant persons com\xc2\xac \npetent to understand and appreciate our constitution, insti\xc2\xac \ntutions, and the genius of our government? It is impossible. \nWho, therefore, can doubt the propriety of our Order\xe2\x80\x99s refu* \n\n\n37 \n\n\nsal to permit them to exercise the elective franchise, or to \nhold any office under the jurisdiction of the States or Fed\xc2\xac \neral Government ? We con less that there are exceptional \ninstances, of foreigners who are highly educated \xe2\x80\x94 gentle\xc2\xac \nmen of moral, social, and even national worth. But they \nare lamentably few, and cannot adequately compensate for \nthe demoralization, ignorance, degradation and destitution \nof an overwhelming majority. A still greater objection to \nthis population is, that sixty per cent of the males are over \n20 years old, and forty-nine per cent of the females are over \n19 years of age. Again, the Census Report states on page \n120, that our foreign population almost universally inter\xc2\xac \nmarry among themselves; and associating exclusively \namong themselves for a long length ol time, they are separ\xc2\xac \nated from our native population in clans, both in the cities \nand the country \xe2\x80\x94 at once preserving their foreign idiosyn- \ncracies of character, language, and nationality. France, \nEngland, Ireland, Germany, Russia, and Spain, have their \nforeign supporters and sympathizers within our country. \nThis will ever prevent homogeniousness of character, union \nand nationality, among our citizens. \n\nAmericans! These evils must be immediately remedied, \nor our glorious America will be lost amid the ruins of rev\xc2\xac \nolutions, or swallowed up by a fearful vottex of civil dis\xc2\xac \nruptions. Let me conjure you, by the most hallowed recol\xc2\xac \nlections of the past, by the most glorious anticipations of the \nfuture, once more lay aside your sectional and political ani\xc2\xac \nmosities, lor the overpowering cause in which we are em\xc2\xac \nbarked. Remember, the contest is for our children, our \ncounty, and our God. Remember, the day which shall once \nmore unite all free Native Americans, shall be held in all \ntime as another birthday of American Constitutional Lib\xc2\xac \nerty-\xe2\x80\x94 when upon another mid-morn another sun shall rise \nin unfading splendor. Then may we hope, when European \nand Asiatic despotisms, with all their columps and triumphs, \nwith all their crescents and crowns, shall have mouldered \ninto dust, civilization , rising upon her Olympian wings, shall \nstill shine in the sky of a Franklin, and \xe2\x80\x9cglory rekindle at \nthe urn of a Washington,\xe2\x80\x9d Then shall pure religion and \npopular liberty walk abroad in the ubiquity of their benev\xc2\xac \nolence ; for their bounds will be the extremities of creation. \nAmericans, trust in yourselves \xe2\x80\x94 trust in the God of your \nfathers; for there is a \xe2\x80\x9cDivinity that will shape our ends, \nrough hew them as we may.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nBelow, I submit to you the reflections of Washington and \nJefferson. Those of Gen Washington, the first, in a letter \naddressed to Governeur Morris, dated White Plains, July \n24, 1778: \n\n, f Baron Steuben, I now find, is also wanting to quit his \n\n\n38 \n\n\ninspectorship, for a command in the line. This will be pro\xc2\xac \nductive of much discontent. In a word, though I think the \nBaron an excellent officer. I do most devoutly wish we had \nnot a single foreigner amongst us except the Marquis de \nLafayette, who acts upon very different principles from those \nwhich govern the rest.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nFrom another, dated Philadelphia, November 17, 1794, \nand addressed to John Adams, the elder: \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c My opinion with respect to immigration is, except of \nuseful mechanics, and some particular descriptions of men \nand professions, there is no need of encouragement.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nA letter dated from his residence, January 20, 1790, in \nreply to a letter applying for office, has this passage : \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cIt does not accord With the policy of this government, to \nbestow offices, civil or military, upon foreigners, to the ex\xc2\xac \nclusion of our citizens.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThose of Mr. Jefferson may be found in his \xe2\x80\x9cNotes on \nVirginia.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c Civil government being the sole object of forming socie\xc2\xac \nties, its administration must be conducted by common con\xc2\xac \nsent. Every species of government has its specific princi\xc2\xac \nples. Ours are more peculiar than those of any other in the \nuniverse. It is a composition of the freest principles of the \nEnglish constitution, with others derived from natural right, \nor natural reason. To these nothing can be more opposed \nthan the maxims of absolute monarchies. Yet from such \nwe are to expect the greatest number of immigrants. They \nwill bring with them the principles of the government's they \nleave, imbibed in their early youth ; or, if able to throw \nthem off, it will be in exchange for an unboundtd licentious\xc2\xac \nness, passing, as is uvual, from one extreme to another . It \nwould be a miracle were they to stop precisely at the point \nof temperate liberty. These principles, with their language, \nthey will transmit to their children. \n\n\xe2\x80\x9cIn proportion to their numbers, they will share with u% \nin the legislation. They will infuse into it their spirit, warp \nand bias its direction, and render it a heterogeneous, inco\xc2\xac \nherer t, distracted mass. 1 may appeal to experience during \nthe present contest, for a verification of these conjectures. \nBut, if they be not certain in event, are they not possible, \nare they not. probable ? Is it not safer to wait with patience \ntwenty-seven years and three months longer for the attain\xc2\xac \nment of any degree of population desired, or expected? \nMay not our government be more homogeneous , more peacea\xc2\xac \nble, more durable V \n\nThe next topic of discussion will be the relative position \nof our organization with the political and religious parties \nand denominations of the day. I am \n\n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nso \n\n\nNO. IX. \n\nReligious Liberty \xe2\x80\x94 The American Parly vindicated against the charges \n\nof Intolerance and Proscription. \n\nGentlemen : We promised in our last article to devote this \nto the discussion of the position of the American party on \nthe question of religious liberty. To do this effectually, we \nmust recur to the language and spirit of the Constitution of \nthe United States, and the State of Tennessee: for both of \nthese we are solemnly obliged faithfully to observe. \n\nFirst . The Constitution of the United States declares, in \nArticle 1st of its Amendments \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9cThat Congress shall make \nno law respecting an establishment of religion ; or prohibit\xc2\xac \ning the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of \nspeech, or of the press.\xe2\x80\x9d This is all it has to say upon this \ntopic. Did the American party, or any portion of it, ever \nash of Congress to pass a law respecting an establishment of \nany religion; or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; \nor abridging the freedom of religious speech, or of \nthe press? They have never done so, nor could they \nmeditate such a thing.' Because they are solemnly sworn to \noppose any amalgamation of Church and State, and forever \nto defend the freedom of conscience , of worship , of speech , \nand of the press . Thus, the American party, instead of \nviolating any portion of the Constitution, pledge their honor \nand life to maintain it in its spirit and letter. \n\nSecondly. The Constitution of the State of Tennessee \ndeclares, Sec. 3, Art. 1st \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9cThat all men have a natural \nand indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to \nthe dictates of their own conscience ; that no man can be \ncompelled to attend , erect or support any place of worship, or \nto maintain any minister against his consent; that no human \nauthority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with \nthe rights of conscience ; and that no preference by law shall \never be given to any religious establishment or mode of \nworship.\xe2\x80\x9d Again, Sec. 4th\xe2\x80\x94\xe2\x80\x9cThat no religious test shall \never be required as a qualification to any office or public \ntrust under this State.\xe2\x80\x9d This, also, is all that our State Con\xc2\xac \nstitution says upon this subject. We submit to every mem\xc2\xac \nber of the American party in the State of Tennessee, if he \nis not bound by every consideration of honor and patriotism \nto maintain each and all of these requirements of the Con\xc2\xac \nstitution of the Slate of Tennessee? Why are we so im\xc2\xac \nplacably opposed to the \xe2\x80\x9cHigher Law\xe2\x80\x9d party of Northern \nAbolitionists, of which Wrn. H. Seward is the head and front? \nBecause they have attempted to influence the issue of elec\xc2\xac \ntions, and the decision of purely political questions, by bring- \n\n\ning to bear the power of ecclesiastical denominations and \nreligious fanaticism; because, instead of the plain language \nof laws and constitutions, and the decisions of Supreme \nCourts, they have erected over these, as ultimate tribunals \nof superior obligation , their own private, moral , and religious \nrights of conscience and judgment. Why is it that our \nparty are opposed to Roman Catholics? Because we sin\xc2\xac \ncerely believe, that the very spirit and soul of their Church \npolity, as well from its experimental illustration in other \nnations, as in our own, are opposed to these fundamental \nrequirements of our State Constitution; because, behind the \nsupreme and ultimate tribunals of our constitutions and laws, \nupon mere civil and political questions, they have erected, as \nof primary and paramount obligations, the dicta of Priests, \nor the adjudications of their ecclesiastical or Fapal authori\xc2\xac \nties. \n\nIn addition to what we have already said, in Article sixth, \nexplanatory of our position on the question of religious lib\xc2\xac \nerty, we will add the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth Arti\xc2\xac \ncles of our creed, published semi -officially in our metropoli\xc2\xac \ntan paper a Washington, \xe2\x80\x9c The American Organ.\xe2\x80\x9d They \nare as follows: \n\nSixth. \xe2\x80\x9cWe shall oppose, now and hereafter, any \xe2\x80\x9cunion \nof Church and State\xe2\x80\x9d no matter what class of religionists \nshall seek to bring about such union. \n\nSeventh. \xe2\x80\x9cWe shall vigorously maintain the vesttd rights \nof all persons, of native or foreign birth, and shall at all \ntimes oppose the slightest interference with such vested \nrights. \n\nEighth. \xe2\x80\x9c We shall oppose and protest against all abridg\xc2\xac \nment of religious liberty, holding it as a cardinal maxim, t hat \nreligious faith is a question between each individual and his \nGod, and over which no political government, or other hu\xc2\xac \nman power, can rightfully exercise any supervision or con\xc2\xac \ntrol. at any time, in any place, or in any form. \n\nNinth . \xe2\x80\x9c We shall oppose all \xe2\x80\x98higher law* doctrines,by \n\nwhich the constitution is to be set at naught, violated, or \ndisregarded, whether by politicians , by religionists . or by the \nadherents or followers of either, or by any other class of \npersons.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nWe are denounced as proscriptive , because we do not ad\xc2\xac \nmit to membership Roman Catholics ; and because we are \nopposed to their election or appointment to offices of trust \nand honor, within the limit or under (he juiisdiction of any \nor all of the United States. Our association is a voluntary \none, and like the Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Sons of Tem\xc2\xac \nperance, and analagous societies, we have the right to admit \nwhom we please. Again, at the last Democratic State Con- \n\n\n41 \n\n\nvention, held in the State Capitol, for the purpose of nomi\xc2\xac \nnating a candidate for the Gubernatorial chair, there were \npassed resolutions establishing a Secret Central State Execu\xc2\xac \ntive Committee , with subordinate county committees. Why is \nit, that the Democratic party will not permit any Whig to \nbecome a member of these secret Executive Committees? \nBecause they wish to conceal from their opponents, the \nWhigs, their secret plan of organization, by which they can \nmost successfully and efficiently conduct the canvass, and \nelect the candidates of their choice. Hence, to admit the \nWhigs, their opponents, to membership in their Executive \nCommittees, would be to defeat all the objects for which they \nwere instituted. For these reasons was the American party \nsecretly organized, and do they reject, from membership their \nopponents, the Roman Catholics, if the one is objectionable \nand proscriptive , so is the other. But these committees are \nalike common to all political parties, and are almost coeval \nwith the formation of our government. \n\nAgain, every good Catholic, once annually at least, is \nobliged to confess to his Priest , Bishop or Archbishop. Should \nhe be asked by the priest, during the progress of his disclo\xc2\xac \nsures, if he were a member of the American party \xe2\x80\x94 what \nwere its distinctive features \xe2\x80\x94 its plan of organization, or \nwhom its candidates for office, he is bound by his church \nobligations to reveal all these things, or be anathematized. \nThe priest, he believes, has the power not only to ahstdre his \nobligations and oaths of honor and patriotism, but also to \nremit all his sins. Thus to admit Catholics to our Order is \nbut to defeat the attainment of all of its salutary objects. \nAgain, we will not vote for or appoint Catholics to office, \nbecause when installed in office they swear to support the \nConstitution of the United States, as the fundamental and su\xc2\xac \npreme law of the land ; and this they do with the mental \nreservation of a superior allegiance to their church and its \necclesiastical authorities. This is, in civil or political \naffairs, elevating the church upon the ruins of the State, and \nfor legal and constitutional obligations, a substitution of \necclesiastical prerogative and Papal domination. Again, \nwhy do Whigs vote for and appoint to office Whigs rather \nthan Democrats ? Because they so wish. Why do Catholics \nand naturalized foreigners oppose us, and refuse to vote for a \nNative American for any office? Because they so wish. \nNow, have not the members of the American party the same \nright to vote for whom they wish? What constitutional \nobligation is any citizen of these United States under to \nvote for Catholics rather than Protestants\xe2\x80\x94foreigners by \nbirth rather than Native Americans? I answer, none. \nThen why call it proscriptive because a Native A.merican \n\n\n42 \n\n\nvotes for whom he pleases for office, a right which every \nfreeman in America enjoys? Whig and Democratic parties \nvote for, and appoint to office, only the members of their own \nparties. Have not the American party the same right ? 0, \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c do not , as some ungracious pastors do, show us the steep \nand thorny way to Heaven, whilst like pujfed and reckless \nlibertines they, themselves, the primrose path of dalliance \ntread,\xe2\x80\x9d and practice not the precepts which they teach. \n\nIt is not the religious faith of the Catholics to which we \nare opposed, but their church polity and its tendencies. With \nthe same pertinacity would we oppose any Protestant de\xc2\xac \nnomination whose hierarchical tendencies were analagous. \nWe cannot be charged with being a religious bigot \xe2\x80\x94 a \nwretch whom no philosophy can humanize, no charity soften, \nno religion reclaim, no miracle convert. We belong to no \nreligious sect, but we would preserve religion pure as the \nimmaculate source from which it emanates. \xe2\x80\x9c The union of \nChurch and State only converts good Christians into bad \nstatesmen, and political knaves into pretended Christians. \nIt is at best but a foul and adulterous connection, polluting \nthe purity of Heaven with the abominations of earth, and \nhanging the tatters of a political piety upon the cross of an \ninsulted Savior. The hands that hold her chalice should be \npure, and the priests of her temple should be as spotless as \nthe vestments of their ministry.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nThus much just now, we have deemed necessary, prepar\xc2\xac \natory to the main argument in our subsequent articles, the \nchain of which we wish not to be interrupted, as it will be \nmore elaborate and historical. For these we beg a careful \nand thoughtful consideration. \n\nBefore Heaven, we do not cherish for any religious denom\xc2\xac \nination the least degree of unkind feeling. The same laud\xc2\xac \nable motives now prompt us, that impelled us,when in mant\xc2\xac \nling youth, beneath the ensigns armorial of the Republic, \nwe bared our bosom to the rude thunder shocks of battle. \nAll we seek is the boon denied to none\xe2\x80\x94to emulate the \ndeeds of our noble ancestry, that we too, when we die, may \nrepose beneath the same evergreens of immortal memory \nwhich national gratitude has planted in the bosoms of our \nchildren. \xe2\x80\x99Tis laudable to serve one\xe2\x80\x99s country. \n\nAs the American party in this State have no official organ , \nthey tender through me, the official exponent of their creed, \ntheir grateful acknowledgements to the public press for the \npublicity which they have given to this series of articles, \nlam \xe2\x80\x98 AN AMERICAN. \n\n\n43 \n\n\nNO. X. \n\nThe Government of the United Slates is founded on the Eternal Principle* \nof Human and Divine Justice\xe2\x80\x94All Religious Power and Authority \narc Constitutionally separated from all Political \xe2\x80\x94 This complete separ\xc2\xac \nation of Religious from Political Power is the peculiarly distinguish\xc2\xac \ned feature of American Republicanism, for in no other Government ha* \nit ever existed \xe2\x80\x94 The History of all Nations proves that a union of Po\xc2\xac \nlitical with Religious Power and Authority is dangerous to Popular Lib\xc2\xac \nerty and promotive of Despotism. \n\nGentlemen: We solicit your thoughtful consideration of \nour historical argument, to demonstrate the three proposi\xc2\xac \ntions which we announced in the close of our last communi\xc2\xac \ncation :\xe2\x80\x94First: That the Government of the United States \nis the only one that ever existed , in which all religions power \nand authority are separated from all political \xe2\x80\x94 the Church \nfrom the State \xe2\x80\x94 in all their varied departments and details. \nSecondly: That the Roman Catholic Church is a cunningly \ndevised, admixture of Paganism, Christianity, and political \nDespotism. Thirdly: That the union of the Church and \nState \xe2\x80\x94of the religious and the political authority\xe2\x80\x94 in the \norganization of governments, has invariably led to the usur\xc2\xac \npation of the rights of the people \xe2\x80\x94 to national corruption, \ndegradation and ruin. \n\nIn relation to the first proposition, his true, that, when our \nconstitutional form of government was adopted, for the first \ntime in the world\xe2\x80\x99s history was announced the birth-day of \na nation, which based the foundations of its government \nupon the eternal and immutable principles of human and \ndivine justice \xe2\x80\x94 that recognized in all civil power the indis\xc2\xac \nputable sovereignty of the people\xe2\x80\x94in all divine authority \nthe undivided sovereignty of the Almighty; that tore away \nfrom between each citizen and the p oplc, the legitimate source \nof all sovereign power, all former intermediate obstructions \nof kings, nobles, and aristocratical classes \xe2\x80\x94 that tore away \nfrom between the aspirations of the human heart and its \nGod, the holy object of its sublime adoration, all interven\xc2\xac \ning obstacles, of temporal Popes and Potentates, of mitred \nBishops and Priests. O, happy, proud America! you have \nrendered unto God the \xe2\x80\x9c things that are God's;\xe2\x80\x9d and may thy \npeople be the happiest \xe2\x80\x94 thy reign the noblest of time! \nMay ages on ages ever thy splendor unfold ! In this histor\xc2\xac \nical argument we are obliged to avoid all collateral points, \nand lengthened details, and confine ourselves strictly to a \ncomprehensive but condensed analysis of the organic struc\xc2\xac \ntures of all governments. We shall, therefore, commence \nwith the most ancient. \n\n\n44 \n\n\nIn ascending the acclivities of time to the twilight of au\xc2\xac \nthenticated history, the first regularly organized government \nthat emerges from all poetical and mythical obscurity, is \nancient Egypt. This was a government decidedly of castes , \nof which the most predominant were those of the warriors \nand Priests. The Priests prescribed all forms and ceremo\xc2\xac \nnies. for every important action, which even the haughtiest \nKing dared not violate. As the stars were consulted on all \nmomentous occasions, and the Priestly Astrologers possessed \nthe exclusive right to interpret their omens and deliver their \noracles, this gave to them paramount control over all public \nand private affairs. The Priestly caste held the Kings and \nthe people in awe of their displeasure, even after death ; \nfor they alone formed that fearful tribunal that determined \nwhether the dead bodies even of Kings merited embalming \nand a mausoleum, or should be cast away for loathsome \ndec iy. The first usurper of the royal throne of the Pha\xc2\xac \nraohs, was the Priest Sethos, who, at the head of an army of \nundisciplined laborers and artificers, expelled from the con\xc2\xac \nfines of Egypt the renowned Assyrian conqueror, Senachet ib. \nThe established religion of Egypt was Paganism, and it was \nintimately interwoven with all the various departments of \nthe civil authority. Here, priestly domination united with \nroyal usurpation, in the universal saciilice of the people\xe2\x80\x99s \nrights. Yes, Egypt, thy colossal statues and solemn tem\xc2\xac \nples, thy catacombs, labyrinths, and lofty pyramids, are the \neternal monuments of thy ancient grandeur and shame. \nFor they were erected upon the ruins of the people, and were \nwrung from the toil, sweat, and sacrificed lives of millions. \n\n\xe2\x80\x99I'was here, ill-fated Israel, that thy children drank the \nbitter dregs of an unmitigated servitude. Modern differs \nfrom ancient Egypt but little ; for whether as a Viceroyalty \nof Turkey, or as an independent nationality, whether Pagan\xc2\xac \nism or Mahometanism be the prevailing national religion, \nall civil and religious authority is blended, and the sove\xc2\xac \nreignty of the people is usurped. \n\nIndia, Persia, Syria, Assyria, and Media \xe2\x80\x94 the Persian, \nAssyrian, and Babylonian Empires; we have grouped to\xc2\xac \ngether the ancient history of these, from the striking analogy \nof their forms of government \xe2\x80\x94 their political and religious \ninstitutions. For whether as separate kingdoms, or united \nunder overshadowing Empires, over all, despotism in its \nmost rampant form was established\xe2\x80\x94the civil and religious \nauthority blended, and the slavery of the people rendered \ncomplete. The Kings were regarded as the heads of the \nChurch and State, and very frequently claimed of their na\xc2\xac \ntions divine homage. Their will was the supreme law of \nthe land, and the only countervailing order that existed to \n\n\n45 \n\n\nrestrict their judgment or resist their decrees, was that of \nthe Priests, who, however, always seemed identified with \nthe throne. These Priests, called Chaldeans, like those of \nthe Jews and Egyptians, were a hereditary order. Their \nIdolatry was of Samian character; for they worshiped the \nsun, moon, and stars. Besides, they deified mortals, whom \nthey supposed connected with these celestial luminaries, and \nthey called them, as the Eastern monarchs of the present \nday are called, \xe2\x80\x9c Brothers of the Sun and Moon.\xe2\x80\x9d The peo\xc2\xac \nple, who were extremely depraved and superstitious, were \nthe veriest slaves of these Chaldean Priests and Jugglers. \nThis sacerdotal order, which in Media and Persia was called \nthat of the Magi , was much reformed by Zoroaster. Yet, \nthrough their sooth-sayers and sages they ruled here in the \ncourts of royalty \xe2\x80\x94 there in the judicial tribunals of State. \nTheir order and power extended from celestial China through \ninterior Asia, to Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe : and \nsuch were their potency that the most powerful monarchs, \nas Cambyses, Cyrus and Darius, could not extirpate them. \nThey were ambitious and usurping, for it was these Priests \nthat elevated the pretender, Smyrdis, upon the throne of \nPersia. \n\nThe Carthagenian form of government was analagous to \nthat of the Phoenicians, their ancestors. It was based on \nPaganism, and distinguished for its sanguinary rites, and \nbloody, human sacrifices. Here, too, there existed a sacer\xc2\xac \ndotal order, whose priestly functions were united with the \nmagisterial \xe2\x80\x94 the religious with political power, to enslave \nthe people. \n\nThibet, Mongolia, Bucharia, China, India, Tartary, and \nCashmere, in their governmental organisms, present a strik\xc2\xac \ning similitude. Lama ism, a species of idolatry or theocracy, \nextending to all temporal as well as spiritual affairs, formed \nthe basis of their imperial governments. The Grand Lama, \nwho resided at Patoli in Thibet, in a gorgeous palace sur\xc2\xac \nrounded by 20,000 craven priests, was the Papal God , or vis\xc2\xac \nible Deity. This religion, \xe2\x80\x99tis said, has existed for three \nthousand years , and is the prototype of the Roman Catholic. \nFor history records the fact, that when the first Catholic \nmissionary penetrated Thibet, and witnessed its imposing \nceremonial, he exclaimed, \xe2\x80\x9cthat the Devil had instituted \nthere an imitation of the rites of the Catholic Church that \nhe might more effectually destroy the souls of men.\xe2\x80\x9d The \nPriests of Lamaism, like those of Catholicism, for money, \noffered alms and prayers for the dead \xe2\x80\x94 their Bishops wore \nmitres , and their Priests used beads\xe2\x80\x94 they used, too, the \nholy water , and had a singing service \xe2\x80\x94 they, too, had a vast \nnumber of convents filled with lazy monks and friars; and \n\n\n46 \n\n\nhad confessors chosen for royal personages, or superior offi\xc2\xac \ncers of State. Here. too. as in all Catholic countries, Bish\xc2\xac \nops and Priests united their religious with political despotism \nto degrade and enslave the people. In the magnificent pal\xc2\xac \nace, at Pekin, of the celestial Emperor of China, might be \nseen entertained the Nuncio of the Grand Lama of Thibet \n\nGreece or the Hellenic States \xe2\x80\x94 their political organiza\xc2\xac \ntions were all based upon Paganism; and their religion was \nthe bond of their common nationality. Its elements were \nsaid to have been of Asiatic and Egyptian origin, but ren\xc2\xac \ndered extremely beautiful and sublime by the fascinating \nfictions of their poets, especially Homer and Hesiod. Almost \nevery action of their lives, whether private or public, was \naccompanied with religious rites, while the voice of oracles \nwas heard every where, and omens and diviners were found \nin all places. The functions of civil authority were hal\xc2\xac \nlowed by religious ceremonies; and all their celebrated na\xc2\xac \ntional games were intimately identified with their establish\xc2\xac \ned religion. The oracles of Dodona and Delphi \xe2\x80\x94 the tem\xc2\xac \nples of Olympia and Delos \xe2\x80\x94 were national. The most dis\xc2\xac \ntinguished national oracle was that of Delphi, which, with \nits Priests , was under the control of the Federal Amphic- \nf.yonic Council. By the influence of this oracle and its \nPriests, this National Council regulated the federal affairs of \nthe States, and superintended the administration of the Laws \nof Nations. Here, too, cunning Priests were ever ready, \nby bribes , to administer to lawless ambition, avarice, and \nusurpation. \n\nRome, whether as a monarchy, republic, or empire \xe2\x80\x94 \nwhether ruled by Kings, Senates, Councils, Decemvirs, Mili\xc2\xac \ntary Tribunes, Dictators, or Emperors \xe2\x80\x94 still had its form of \ngovernment based on paganism, as the established religion* \nWhen the Roman Empire had attained its zenith of splen\xc2\xac \ndor, Rome contained 420 temples, crowded with an infinite \nvariety of Divinities. Every Divinity had its troupe of \nsacerdotal servants or Priests , through whom, upon every \noccasion, however important or trivial, the oracles of the \ngods were consulted. No General ever dared to march \nagainst an enemy, unless assured by priestly soothsayers that \nthe omens were propitious. The Kings of Rome possessed \npriestly with royal prerogatives. Numa, the second King \nof Rome, under the fabled supervision of the goddess Egeria, \nfirst systematized the civil and religious forms of govern\xc2\xac \nment. Their sacrifices at times were extremely supersti\xc2\xac \ntious and repulsive. The ancient Romans, like the modern , \n(who ascribe to the Pope authority belonging only to God,) \ndeified men; for Virgil informs us that Augustus, as did \nNebuchadnezzar, procured altars to be erected, and sacri- \n\n\n47 \n\n\nfrees to be offered to him. Caius, surnamed Caligula, whose \nsanguinary caprices knew no bounds, erected a temple to \nhimself, and instituted a College of Priests to superintend \nhis worship. Pie could have as easily procured Priests to \nreverence his celebrated horse, Incitatus, which he frequent\xc2\xac \nly dined at his imperial table, on gilt oats, and costly wines \ndrank from jeweled goblets. Roman Priests , then as now f \nwere ever ready to obey the absuid and sanguinary behests \nof Potentates \xe2\x80\x94 ever allied against the people. Rome and \nits history, after the establishment of Christianity in the em\xc2\xac \npire, belong to a modern age, of which we are not now \nspeaking. \n\nApotheosis was common among many nations. The Ethio- \npeans, regarded all their Kings as Gods ; theValeda of the \nancient Germans, the Janus of the Hungarians, the Thaut, \nWoden and Assa,of the Northern Nomadic tribes, were doubt\xc2\xac \nless men the most renowned of their day and generation. The \ngovernment of the ancient Gauls, Britons, and Germans, \nwas politico-religious. Druidism was their national religion, \nand the Druids or Priests, in many respects, resembled the \nBramins of India. These Priests being chosen from the most \nnoble families, associating the honors of birth with the \nhighest religious functions, commanded of the people the \ngreatest veneration. They were the interpreters of religion, \nand judges in all civil affairs ; and whoever disobeyed them \nwas declared as impious and accursed. At the head of these \nPriests stood the Maximus Pontifex , or High Priest, whose \nauthority was absolute; for he commanded, decreed, and \npunished, at pleasure. We are told by Julius Caesar, in his \nCommentaries, that the Druids on some occasions offered \nhuman sacrifices. In their religious ceremonies, they wore \nan ornament about the necks encased with gold, which was \ncalled the Druid\xe2\x80\x99s egg. Among all these rude nations, the \nreligious and the civil authority was blended, to stultify and \nenslave the people. \n\nThe Plebrewis the last ancient nation of which we will \nspeak. The form of their government was a Theocracy. \nIf we are permitted so to speak, the Almighty was their \nKing \xe2\x80\x94 the High Priest or Judge, his Minister of State\xe2\x80\x94the \nPrinces and Elders his Legislators. The latter, who consti\xc2\xac \ntuted the National Legislative Assembly, could not impose \ntaxes upon the people, for this was the prerogative of the \nHigh Priest, directed by God ; nor could they enact laws un- \nsanctioned by the people. For the people, not only in their \nprimitive assemblies sometimes pioposed laws, but they \nwould have repealed, by petition, those enacted, which to \nthe nation were exceptionable. Josephus supposed from \nthese facts, that this was a mixed Aristocratic and Democra- \n\n\n48 \n\n\ntic government. Under the Judge or High Priest, Samuel, \nthe people demanded a King, and as it was a virtual rejec\xc2\xac \ntion of the Almighty, he gave them Saul in his wrath. Frorfi \nthis peiiod to the subjugation of the Jews by the Homans, \nthere was a gradual departure from the original features of \ntheir Theocratic government, and an approximation to ec\xc2\xac \nclesiastical and political despotism. \n\nThus have the various forms of government of all the \nnations of antiquity, of the least note, passed under our \nvivid review; and we now stand upon the grand vestibule of \nthe Modern World , with all of its varied States and diversi\xc2\xac \nfied institutions looming up before us in the distant prospec\xc2\xac \ntive. But as an analytical investigation of the organic struc\xc2\xac \ntures of their government will be more appropriately em\xc2\xac \nbraced in the discussion of our last two propositions, we will \nnow dismiss them witha few general remarks. Whether \namid the putrid despotisms of Asia and Africa, with now and \nthen an obscure ray of a higher order of a Christian civiliza\xc2\xac \ntion ; or whether amid the various governments of Europe\xe2\x80\x94 \nhere with established national churches, as in Italy, Spain, \nPortugal, Austria, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, and \nGreat Rritian \xe2\x80\x94 or there by prevailing national religions, a* \nin France, Germany, and Prussia \xe2\x80\x94 everywhere Christianity \nor religion by some means or in some way has become the \nmost potent auxiliary of despotic administration \xe2\x80\x94 is allied \nwith civil power to enslave the people, and deny their ina\xc2\xac \nlienable rights. Thou. Genius of civil and religious Liberty , \nalone in our happy America, after six thousand years of \nroaming, canst thou find a resting place for thy wearied \nwing ! Here, alone, canst thou rest thy sacred Ark that \ncontains the germs of a new world, and of a superior gen\xc2\xac \neration. Like the last Mountain in the deluge, America \nsublimely towers, thy first and last resting place amid a \nworld in ruins! \n\nBefore we bid a long farewell to the ancient nations of \nthe old world, let us for a few minutes linger upon their \nhorizon, that we may educe out of their chaos, some solemn \ntruths that may serve as practical lessons in oar future ca\xc2\xac \nreer. We discover nowhere among ancient nations either \na recognition of the sovereign rights of the people, or a \nseparation of the Church or religion, from the State ; but \neverywhere, through Priests or sacerdotal orders , religiqn \nemployed as the handmaid of political despotism. We see \neverywhere, these orders of Priests enlarging and establish\xc2\xac \ning their power by all the expedients of an ambitious pol\xc2\xac \nicy\xe2\x80\x94 aspiring to a permanent guardianship over nations not \nonly in sacred but in worldly affairs: and to this end, sur\xc2\xac \ncharging then as now religion, with heterogenous addition* \n\n\n49 \n\n\nveiling the minds of the people by superstition , substituting \nauthority for free investigation , the terrors of penal power \nand excommunication, for conviction , usurping the monopoly \nof the sciences, and with this, the administration of the \nState\xe2\x80\x94employing the vocation of Magic, and even mira\xc2\xac \ncles, as at present, to debase and plunder the people; and \nin an aggrandizing and selfish manner appropriating to them\xc2\xac \nselves all the advantages of civil union without participa\xc2\xac \nting in its burdens. \n\nHistory, thou faithful chronicler of the past, show me one \nsolitary nation since the establishment of the Roman Catho\xc2\xac \nlic Church, in which it was the established religion, where \nits Pope, its Bishops, or its Priests were the champions of \nthe sovereign rights of the people \xe2\x80\x94 where they were not \nallied with political despotism to forge the chains of the \npeople \xe2\x80\x94 where they did not trample upon, plunder, degrade \nand enslave the people ! Ah ! thou canst not, faithful pens- \nman, thou canst not. \n\nThis brings us to our second proposition \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9cThat the \nCatholic Church is a cunningly devised admixture of Pagan\xc2\xac \nism, Christianity and political Despotism.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nWith what we have said we can now understanding^ \nproceed to the discussion of our last two propositions. We \nmust invest the entire walls, and undermine the citadel, \nbefore we commence the general bombardment. I am \n\nAN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. XI. \n\n\nThe Roman Catholic Church or Hierarchy a cunningly devised admixture \nof Civil and Religious Despotism , of Paganism and Christianity\xe2\x80\x94First \ntriumph of Christianity over Paganism in the Roman Empire \xe2\x80\x94 Consoli\xc2\xac \ndation of the Spiritual and Temporal Power under Constantine the \nGreat\xe2\x80\x94Struggle between the Eastern and Western Churches , for Su\xc2\xac \npremacy\xe2\x80\x94Triumph of the latter \xe2\x80\x94 Origin and Practice of the despotic \npowers of the Popes in Political as well as in Eccles tactical A fairs \xe2\x80\x94 Re\xc2\xac \ncent instances of Papal Interference in the Civil Affairs of Independent \nNations\xe2\x80\x94The St. Louis Church Property Case in New York\xe2\x80\x94Mental \nReservations\xe2\x80\x94Does the Catholic Hierarchy serve Mammon or Christ? \n\nGentlemen : We will now proceed with the discussion of \nour second proposition, that \xe2\x80\x9cThe Roman Catholic Church \nor Hierarchy is a cunningly devised admixture oi civil and \nreligious despotism; of paganism and Christianity.\xe2\x80\x9d First, \nit is a religious and political despotism. \n\nO, Rome ? from the sword which the warrior brood of thy \nwolf-nursed founders drew, sprung an empire \xe2\x80\x94 the most \n4 \n\n\n\n50 \n\n\nmajestic monument in the desert of antiquity; gigantic in \nall of its proportions; sublime in its associations; splendid \nin its galaxy of heroes and statesmen, in its poets and sages; \nit was Eternal called, and veiled the earth with its imperial \nshadow. But when its stars were one by one expiring, \nwhen it was sinking in glory and fading in worth \xe2\x80\x94 then \nfrom the martyred blood of St. Paul and St. Peter , whom \ncruel Nero had in the Circus slain, arose the astounding \nstructure of a temporal and spiritual throne of the world. \nThe Pope appears not only as the highest Keystone of this \nhierarchical structure, but as a crown of iwiys, whose bril- \nlancy was the inexhaustible source of all ecclesiastical \nsplendor; who as God\xe2\x80\x99s Vicegerent is above all potentates \nof earth ; who may dispose of crowns and kingdoms ; the \nsupreme legislator and judge ; the dispenser of divine grace \nas well as divine wrath; in all things omnipotent, in all things \ninfallible, for unto him is given the power \xe2\x80\x9cto loose and to \nbind on earth and in heaven : hence his word can absolve from \nall natural, civil, and divine commands. To rise against the \nPope therefore, is rebellion against God. Thus history informs \nus that a mere perishiable puppet of this world\xe2\x80\x99s vanity, \nwith grace upon his brow, and gold in his hand, has made \nthe Almighty \xe2\x80\x9c a menial to his power, and Eternity a pander \nto his ambition and avarice.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nLet us pass by the incipient struggles of Christianity with \ninfidelity and paganism, as well as its lamentable persecu\xc2\xac \ntions under Nero, Domitian, the noble Trajan, Hadrian, and \nthe Antonines, Severus, Decius, Valerius, Diocletian, Gale- \nrius, and Maximinius-Daza, to the edict of Milan, issued by \nLicennius and Constantine, investing Christianity with all \nthe immunities of pagan religions, and proclaiming an \nuniversal unrestricted freedom of consicence. But the \ngreat battle for world-empire between Christianity and pa\xc2\xac \nganism was yet to be fought. It took place in the year of \nour Lord 324, in the straits of Gallipolis, and near Adrian- \nople, in Thrace, between the armaments and legions of \nLicennius and Constantine. Then did the Cross and the \nbannered Eagle united, under Constantine, for the first time \nand forever, triumph over the ancient standards of idolatry ; \nthen to the Cross yielded forever, the guardian Genii of the \nhaughty mistress of the world, and those gods, whose ven\xc2\xac \nerated names had so often inspired Romans to victory, and \nhad been invoked amid the thunder-shock of a thousand bat\xc2\xac \ntle fields. \n\nConstantine the Great, having become, by the death of \nhis rival, sole Emperor, commenced the organization of the \nempire in accordance with his lofty position \xe2\x80\x94 the only head \nand fountain of ecclesiastical and civil authority. The card- \n\n\n51 \n\n\ninal object being to harmonize and consolidate his temporal \nand spiritual power, he therefore divided the empire into \nfour prefectures \xe2\x80\x94 Gaul, Illyricum, Italy, and the East; and \nthese again were divided into a number of dioceses, and \nthese into provinces. Constantinople, Cesarea, Alexandria, \nAntioch, and Ephesus constituted the Capitals of the dioceses \nof the first prefecture ; Thessalonica was the Capital of the \ndiocese of the Second ; the third contained three dioceses, \nGaul, Spain, and Britain; and the fourth contained as the \nCapitals of their dioceses, Carthage, Sirmium, and Rome. \nThe Bishops of the dioceses were estimated in dignity and \nauthority, according to the civil magistrates of their respec\xc2\xac \ntive Capitals. Gradually over the Bishops were elevated the \nMetropolitans, Primates, Archbishops, Exarchs, and Patri\xc2\xac \narchs. The dignity of the latter was exclusively confined \nto the Bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch, \nand Alexandria, and was the zenith of ecclesiastical prefer\xc2\xac \nment and ambition. By appropriating the revenue of cities \nto the endowment of churches, and for the support of the \nclergy \xe2\x80\x94 by lavishing upon the higher order of ecclesiastics, \nimmunities, honors, and wealth \xe2\x80\x94 by establishing their juris\xc2\xac \ndiction in matters of church and conscience, as well as their \nright to hold councils, and legislate for their classes, and de\xc2\xac \ntermine questions of faith, Constantine the Great, added to \nthe terrors of the Imperatorial power, the imposing pageantry \nof Oriental Courts, and cemented and fortified the structure \nof unlimited dominion, by the introduction of an artfully de\xc2\xac \nvised hierarchy. The first council that was ever held, in \nwhich these rights of the church and clergy were guarantied, \nand idolatry as a national religion prohibited by an edict, \ntook place in A. D. 325, at Nice, by the sanction and under \nthe supervision of Constantine. Thus we see that Christi\xc2\xac \nanity under Constantine, like paganism under the Kings and \nEmperors of the Roman Republic and Empire, as well as \namid all the nations of antiquity , was united with the civil \nauthorities.in a multifarious and reciprocal relation, through \nthe instrumentality of priestly orders or the clergy, to degrade \nand enslave the people. It was a change in the form of relig\xc2\xac \nion, but none in the servitude of the people. Thus was laid \nthe ground-plan of that stupendous ecclesiastical organiza\xc2\xac \ntion or hierarchy, by which at times Popes were omnipotent \nin Europe, and through which Roman Catholicism is estab\xc2\xac \nlished in almost every land under the sun. \n\nThe word Pope is derived from the Greek papas , father, \nand was indiscriminately applied to all Bishops; and this \nname is still given to all the priests ol the Greek Church in \nRussia. It was never exclusively applied to the Bishop of \nRome, till it was so ordered by a council held in Rome, at \n\n\n52 \n\n\nthe close of the elventh century, under Gregory the Eighth. \nThe Pope of Rome is now addressed by way of pre-eminence, \nas the \xe2\x80\x9c Most Holy Father.\xe2\x80\x9d It is indispensable that we \nshould give a concise history of the gradual elevation of the \nBishops and diocese of Rome over those of the other divisions \nof the Empire, before we prove the despotic temporal and \nspiritual power which the Popes of Rome for ages exercised \nover the Princes and nations of Europe, and which they \nhave not yet abandoned over the world. \n\nWhen the deliberations of the Council of Nice were term\xc2\xac \ninated, Constantine visited the Western portions of his em\xc2\xac \npire. At Rome he met with the bitterest execrations from \nthe Italians, because in his edict against paganism he had \nabandoned the ancient religion of his fore-fathers. From \nthis fact, as well as the menacing attitude of the powerful \ndynasty of the Persian Sassanides, who boldly aspired to \nthe ancient empire of Cyrus ; from the threatened irruptions \not the Goths and Samaritans, beyond the Danube; from a \ndesire also to resuscitate the lucrative commerce of the \nMediterranean and Euxine seas, Constantine determined to \ntransfer the Metropolis of the empire from Rome to a more \ncentral point: Byzantium or Constantinople, on the confines \nof Europe and Asia. From this moment commenced a \nspirit of rivalry, ambition, and struggle for supremac}' ^ e \xe2\x80\x98 \ntween the Western and Eastern divisions of the empire, \nbetween the Bishop and diocese of Rome, and those of By\xc2\xac \nzantium and the East. The following are the most promi\xc2\xac \nnent causes which, in the lapse of four centuries thereafter, \ngave to the former undisputed pre-eminence in all ecclesias\xc2\xac \ntical councils and affairs: Rome, though declining, still had \na population of 4,000,000, and was the most wealthy, vener\xc2\xac \nable, and numerous of the Western congregations ; some of \nher Bishops had been distinguished for piety^ and benefi\xc2\xac \ncence ; for great ability displayed in civil and religious \naffairs ; for the influence they exercised by intercourse and \ncorrespondence, over the barbarous nations of the West, \nover the office! s of State, and the congregations of the em\xc2\xac \npire ; because they had early entertained the idea of spirit\xc2\xac \nual supremacy, and had prosecuted their plans with energy \nand wisdom, with uniformity of maxims and expedients, so \nthat the goods, honors, and power of each Bishop might in\xc2\xac \ncrease the fiduciary inheritance of St. Peter, and give to \neach successor enhanced means for further aggressions and \nacquisi'ions ; because they had established various churches \nin Britain, Germany, and other portions of the West, through \ntheir Priestly Missionaries, subject to their exclusive control; \nbecause they had been arbitrators in many important dispu\xc2\xac \ntations in councils and synods, as in that held at Sardiea in \n\n\n53 \n\n\nA. 0. 344, as well as by the decree of Valentinian III, in \n445 ; because in all schisms between the Eastern and West\xc2\xac \nern Churches, the West always united under the Bishops of \nRome ; again, from the vast superiority of some of these \nBishops or Popes over all their contemporaries, as Leo the \nGreat in the fifth, Gregory the Great in the sixth, and Leo \nIII, who crowned Charlemagne, in the eighth centuries ; and \nfinally by the Jalse decretals of the pretended Isidore, forged \nbetween 830 and 850 by Benedict, a Deacon of Mentz, \nwhich in those days of ignorance and superstition, among \nthe Catholics especially, greatly strengthened the claims of \nthe Roman See to supremacy ; and because Rome had been - \nfor ages the great heart of the world-ruling empire, from \nwhich all pulsations of power had emanated. All these \ncauses combined, gave to the Popes of Rome a civil and \nspiritual predominance which those of the East could not \nattain, and against which the power of Crowns and Princes \ncould not avail. \n\nWe wish before we further proceed to propound a few \ninterrogatories. During the limetime of St. Peter, was he \never regarded by the Apostles or the Christian world, as pos\xc2\xac \nsessed of any exclusive spiritual or temporal power; or as \nthe chief corner stone of the Apostolic Church; or did he \nclaim to be God\xe2\x80\x99s Vicegerent , with exclusive power to \xe2\x80\x9cbind \nand to loose on earth and in Heaven or were these ever \nclaimed for centuries after his death by any one for him ? \nAgain, for the first six centuries after the death of St. Peter, \nwere the Bishops or Popes of Rome regarded as the Su\xc2\xac \npreme Heads of the Christian churches and the world ; or \nfrom their succession to the Bishopric of Rome, was there \nconceded them by the Christian world any exclusive spirit\xc2\xac \nual or temporal power? We answer all in the negative; \nand he who affirms it, forfeits all claims to historical vera\xc2\xac \ncity or attainments. We will hereafter prove by what foul \nintrigues, murders, rapine, civil and spiritual usurpations, \nthe Popes of Rome in the eleventh and twelfth centuries \nbecame lords paramount in all ecclesiastical and political \nauthority. But now we will attempt to establish beyond \ncontroversy the despotic power both temporal and spiritual, \nclaimed and exercised by them over the princes and nations \nof the world, and which, even to this good day, they have \nnever abandoned. \n\nThe coronation of Pepin by Zachary, and his two sons by \nStephen III, were the first recognitions of the divine right \nof Popes to pronounce upon the claims of royalty. In the \nusurpations of this Carlovingian dynasty, both the Kings \nand Popes profited by the outrageous fraud. The Bishops \nto whom Charles the Bald acknowledged the right to depose \n\n\nI \n\n\n54 \n\n\nKings, passed a canon in their council, binding themselves \nto remain united \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9cFor the correction of Kings, the nobil\xc2\xac \nity and the people.\xe2\x80\x9d Pope Nicholas I., who constituted him\xc2\xac \nself \xe2\x80\x9c sole Judge of Bishops and Kings\xe2\x80\x99* in 880 , deposed the \nArchbishop of Ravena\xe2\x80\x94 annulled the second marriage of \nLothair, King of Loraine, forced him to take back his first \nwife, and to appear before his dread tribunal for confession \nand repentance. Pope John VIII, obliged Charles the Bald \nto confess \xe2\x80\x9c that he held his Empire by the gift of the Pope,\xe2\x80\x9d \nand when the Saracens invaded Italy, in reprimanding \nCharles for the delay of his promised support, he bade the \nEmperor to remember \xe2\x80\x9c that lie who had given him the em\xc2\xac \npire, if driven to despair, might change his opinion.\xe2\x80\x9d Otho \nthe Great received the iron crown of Lombardy and the \nrevived title of Emperor of the West from Pope John XII. \nPope Benedict VIII., before he crowned Henry Emperor of \nGermany, made him solemnly promise \xe2\x80\x9c that he would ob\xc2\xac \nserve his fidelity to him and his successors in everything .\xe2\x80\x9d \nPope Nicholas II., gave to Richard Guiscard the principali\xc2\xac \nties of Capua, and to his brother Robert, the title of Duke, \nwith the investiture of all the lands he might conquer in \nSicily, Apulia, and Calabria. The cruelty and desolation \nwhich ensued is said to have produced even to this day, the \ndepopulation and desolation around Rome. Pope Alexan\xc2\xac \nder II., forced the Normans in Italy to resign their conquests \nto the Holy See ; he summoned the Emperor of Germany to \nappear before him to answer various allegations; and re\xc2\xac \ncognized the claims of William, the Norman Duke, to the \ncrown of England by a papal bull, in which \xe2\x80\x9cwas sent a \nhair from the head of St. Peter, inclosed in a diamond ring \nof great value, and he accompanied this with a consecrated \nstandard.\xe2\x80\x9d In the eleventh century Pope Gregory VII., in a \ncouncil assembled at Rome, excommunicated the Emperor \nof Germany, absolved the allegiance of his subjects to him \nin France, Italy, and Germany, deposed Prelates at will in \nthe Empire, and published a series of constitutions of which \nthe following are a portion: \xe2\x80\x9c That the Roman Pontiff alone \ncan be called universal \xe2\x80\x94 that Princes are bound to hiss his \nfeet and his only \xe2\x80\x94 that he has aright to depose Emperors \xe2\x80\x94 \nthat no book can be called canonical without his authority \xe2\x80\x94 \nthat his sentence can be annulled by none, but that he may \nannul the decrees of all \xe2\x80\x94 that the Roman Church has been, \nis, and will continue infallible \xe2\x80\x94 that subjects may be ab\xc2\xac \nsolved from their allegiance to wicked Princes.\xe2\x80\x9d This is the \nhaughty Pontiff who forced the Emperor Henry IV., of Ger\xc2\xac \nmany, during one of the severest winters, in the outer court \nof his palace, to remain for three days and nights in the \ngarb and posture of penitence, with his feet and head bare \n\n\n55 \n\n\ntortured by cold, hunger, and thirst, to implore him for \nmercy. \xe2\x80\x99Twas also said of him that he personally presided \nover the most cruel tortures and massacres, with an inimita\xc2\xac \nble serenity of countenance and placidity of manner. Pas\xc2\xac \nchal II.. the successor of Pope Urban, excommunicated \nHenry V., Emperor of Germany, and at a council held in \nRome in 1110, forced all grades of the clergy to take oath \n\xe2\x80\x9c of implicit obedience to the Pope and his successors ; to \naffirm what the Holy Church affirms and condemn what she \ncondemns.\xe2\x80\x9d Pope Celestine III., kicked the Emperor Henry \nthe IV.\xe2\x80\x99s crown from his head while kneeling, \xe2\x80\x9cto show his \nprerogative of making and unmaking Kings.\xe2\x80\x9d Pope Celes\xc2\xac \ntine IV., when elected Pope, entered Aquila seated upon an \nAss (in blasphemous imitation of our Saviour\xe2\x80\x99s entrance \ninto Jerusalem) with two Kings holding the bridle: Charles \n\n11., the perjured Sovereign of Naples, and his son Charles \nMartel, nominal King of Hungary. Pope Gregory IX., \nexcommunicated the Emperor Frederic II., of Germany, \nbecause he in the fifth crusade, delayed the expedition, and \nwhen he had entirely failed, this Pope addressed the clergy \nof Sicily as follows; \xe2\x80\x9cLet the Heavens rejoice and the Earth \nbe glad; for the lightning and the tempest wherewith God \nAlmighty has so long menaced your heads have been \nchanged by the death of this man into refreshing zephyrs \nand fertilizing dews.\xe2\x80\x9d Pope Alexander III., forced the Em\xc2\xac \nperor Frederic I., to hold his stirrup while mounting his \nsteed; and brought to unconditional obedience in all reli\xc2\xac \ngious affairs, the Kings of England and Scotland. Innocent \n\n111., deposed John, King of England, and threatened the \nwhole world with excommunication. Henry III., King of \nFrance, was assassinated in 1589, by the Dominican, Clement \nJacques, and although torn to pieces by horses and after\xc2\xac \nwards burnt by the enraged subjects of the King, Pope \nSextus V., pronounced an eulogy upon the assassin in an \nassembly of Cardinals, and impiously \xe2\x80\x9ccompared him to \nJudith and Eleazer.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nWe will now instance a few cases of recent occurrence, of \nPapal interference in ihe civil affairs of independent nations. \nPope Pius VI., in June 10th and 111h of 1810, issued two \nformidable bulls against Bonaparte, and one against Switz\xc2\xac \nerland, for permitting a free distribution of the \xe2\x80\x9c heretic\xe2\x80\x99s \nbible\xe2\x80\x9d among its free citizens. Pope Pius IX., the present \nsuccessor of St. Peter, issued the other day a Bull or-Allo\xc2\xac \ncution against the independent King of Sardinia for sup\xc2\xac \npressing Monasteries within his own dominions. These \nhot-beds of sloth, indolence, superstition and crime, have \nbeen suppressed in various European States, and Heaven \ngrant that gallant Tennessee may never be afflicted with \n\n\n56 \n\n\none of these Pandora\xe2\x80\x99s Boxes. Read this portion of the \nPope\xe2\x80\x99s \xe2\x80\x9c allocution\xe2\x80\x9d which we submit for your careful peru\xc2\xac \nsal, for it is a literal translation of the original, as published \nby the American and European press: \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c Words fail us to express our grief at such criminal \nand almost incredible acts againts the Church and against \nthe inviolable supremacy of the Holy See in that kingdom, \nwhere there are so great a number of fervent Catholics, and \nwhere formerly, and in particular among the Sovereigns, \nsuch examples were to be found of piety, religion, and re\xc2\xac \nspect for the chair of St. Peter. But the evil having arrived \nat that point that it is not sufficient to merely deplore the \ninjury done to the Church, and that we are bound to do \neverything in our power to put an end to this state of things, \nwe again raise our voice with an apostolic liberty in this \nsolemn assembly, and we reprove and condemn not only all \nthe decrees already issued by the Government to the detri\xc2\xac \nment of the rights and authority of the Church, and of the \nHoly See, but likewise the bill lately proposed, and we de\xc2\xac \nclare all these acts to be entirely worthless and invalid. \nFurthermore, we warn, in the most solemn manner, not only \nthose persons by whose orders such decrees have been pub\xc2\xac \nlished, but also those others who may not fear to sanction, \nfavor, or approve in any manner whatever the bill recently \nproposed ; we warn them, we say, to consider in time what \npenalties and censures the apostolical constitutions and the \ncanons of the Holy Councils, and in particular the canons \nof the Council of Trent, have established against the plun\xc2\xac \nderers and profaners of holy things; against the violaters \nof the liberty of the Church and of the Holy See, and \nagainst the usurpers of their rights.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nHere you see the Pope asserts that the act of the Sardin\xc2\xac \nian government, \xe2\x80\x9c is against the inviolable supremacy of \nthe Holy See,\xe2\x80\x9d merely because there are a great many \xe2\x80\x9c fer\xc2\xac \nvent Catholic \xe2\x80\x9d citizens of the government. Again he de\xc2\xac \nclares the acts of this independent Government \xe2\x80\x9cworthless \nand invalid,\xe2\x80\x9d merely because he thinks them \xe2\x80\x9cto the detri\xc2\xac \nment of the rights and authority of the Catholic Church and \nHoly See.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nAgain, he threatens the King if he do not repeal them, \n\xe2\x80\x9c with all the penalties and censures with which he is clothed \nby the Apostolic constitutions, and the canons of the Holy \nCouncils.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nAmericans, just think of it, the Pope of Rome claiming \ninviolable supremacy for the \xe2\x80\x9cHoly Church,\xe2\x80\x9d because the \nKingdom of Sardinia, or any other independent State, might \nchance to have many \xe2\x80\x9cfervent Catholics\xe2\x80\x9d as citizens. Well, \nlet us continue for a few years longer to permit unchecked \n\n\n57 \n\n\nour present ocean-tide of Catholic immigration, and the \nPope of Rome will claim America as a part of his Holy See, \nand will declare our acts of Congress as \xe2\x80\x9cworthless and in\xc2\xac \nvalid,\xe2\x80\x9d should they be the least repugnant to his sensitive \ntaste, or his \xe2\x80\x9c Holy See.\xe2\x80\x9d But we need not wait longer, for \nhe has directly interfered, by the sanction of the Archbish\xc2\xac \nop and the Bishops of New-York, in our civil and judicial \naffairs. We will impartially state the case. In 1829 Louis \nLe Couteulex, of Buffalo, New-York, conveyed certain real \nestate for the use of a Catholic congregation to be there\xc2\xac \nafter organized. In 1838 the congregation was organized \nunder the law of the State, and seven trustees were elected, \nin whom was vested the title in pursuance of the act \xe2\x80\x9c in \nrelation to religious corporations.\xe2\x80\x9d Now, because these \ntrustees would not violate the laws of the State of New \nYork, by divesting themselves of the title of the real estate \nand Church of St. Louis, which was built upon it, and vest \nthe same exclusively in the Bishop and his successors \xe2\x80\x94 \nthereby creating a \xe2\x80\x9c corporation sole \xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94 the Pope, through \nthe instigation of the Bishop and some of the foreign laity, \nsent his Nuncio, Bedini, over to New-York to force these \nrebellious Catholic Trustees to vest this title in the Bishop, \nor to excommunicate them. The few that refused were \npublicly excommunicated for not violating the laws of the \nland and the express language of the deed of conveyance. \nNow, the Archbishop nor the Bishop of New-York, would \nnot abide by the decisions of our own courts, that could \nalone adjudicate and decide this question, but must resort to \na foreign potentate and his religious authority, to force the \nrefractory trustees to obedience \xe2\x80\x94 to interfere and annul the \ndeliberate acts of a sovereign State of this Union. And \nwhat is most strange, the Catholic press, the Bishops and \nPriests, and all the Catholic congregations of the Union \nhave acquiesced in this excommunication. Read, Tennes\xc2\xac \nseeans, the bitter lamentation of these poor fellow's because \nof their excommunication. Really we are sorry for them : \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c For no higher offence than simply refusing to violate \nthe Trust Law of our State, we have been subjected to the \npains of excommunication, and our names held up to infamy \nand reproach. For this cause, too, have the entire congre\xc2\xac \ngation been placed under ban. To our members the holy \nrites of baptism and of burial have been denied. The mar\xc2\xac \nriage sacrament is refused. The Priest is forbidden to min\xc2\xac \nister at our altars. In sickness, and at the hour of death, \nthe holy consolations of religion are withheld. To the \nCatholic churchman, it is scarcely possible to exaggerate \nthe magnitude of such deprivations. \n\n\xe2\x80\x9c We yield to none in attachment to our religion, and \n\n\nC \n\n\n58 \n\n\ncheerfully render to the Bishop that obedience in spiritual \nmatters which the just interpretation of our faith may re\xc2\xac \nquire : but in respect to the temporalities of our Church, we \nclaim the right of obeying the laws of the State, whose \nprotection we enjoy.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nDo you think that the Pope has ceased to interfere in the \ntemporal affairs of independent nations? No, nor never \nwill he, when his Catholic subjects are sufficiently numer\xc2\xac \nous as citizens in any State to permit him. We will give \nyou now the eternal maxim of the Roman Court, pursued \nthrough all ages, and amid all the vicissitudes of empire, \nand among all nations. Read it, and never forget. \xe2\x80\x99Tis \nthis : \xe2\x80\x9c Never to give up the slightest of its claims , but to wait \nonly for the opportunities .\xe2\x80\x9d We will close this article by \nstating one fact additional \xe2\x80\x94 that when the archives of the \nPopes were carried to Paris in 1809, among other astonish\xc2\xac \ning things, a practice of theirs came to light, which they \nhad, of declaring null and void by secret mental reservation \nthe contracts which they made in public. Thus Alexander \nVII., in February 18th, 1684, made such a reservation with \nregard to the treaty of Pisa; Clement XIII., in September \n3d, 1704, with regard to the banishment of the Jesuits from \nFrance; Pius the VII with regard to the tolerance of the \nphilosophic sects, bible societies and translations of the \nBible. If Popes have these mental reservations in the sol\xc2\xac \nemn oaths and treaty stipulations, what think you of \xe2\x80\x9c fer\xc2\xac \nvent and faithful Bishops and Priests.\xe2\x80\x9d Should the Ameri\xc2\xac \ncan Party trust such men ? \n\nRead my proposition or text, and you will see that we \nhave proved a portion of it, \xe2\x80\x9cthe political and religious des\xc2\xac \npotism of the Catholic flierarchy.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nRoman Catholics of the United States, we wish you to \nread the 25th, 26th, and 27th verses of the 20th chapter of \nSt. Mathew, and tell us whether the Pope, the Bishops and \nPriests of your Church are the disciples of Mammon or the \nfollowers of the meek and lowly Saviour ? They are as \nfollows: \xe2\x80\x9cBut Jesus called them (the Apostles) unto him \nand said : Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exer\xc2\xac \ncise dominion over them; and they that are great exercise \nauthority upon them; but it shall not be so among you ; \nbut whosoever will be great among you, let him be your \nMinister; and whosoever will be Chief among you, let him \nbe your servant.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nJesus did not say Master , gentlemen. The same subject \ncontinued. I am AN AMERICAN. \n\n\n\n\n59 \n\nNO. XII. \n\nDespotic Constitution and Policy of the Roman Catholic Church further \nExamined \xe2\x80\x94 The Absurdity of her Sacriligious Pretensions to \xe2\x80\x9c I) falli\xc2\xac \nbility \xe2\x80\x9d and \xe2\x80\x9c Divine Holiness \xe2\x80\x9d exposed by the light of History \xe2\x80\x94 Vices , \nCrimes , Feuds, and Follies of the Popes \xe2\x80\x94 Mysterious System of Ordi\xc2\xac \nnation awl Oath of Allegiance, of the Romish Clergy \xe2\x80\x94 Numerical \nStrength and Progress of the Romish Church , in the United States and \nother countries \xe2\x80\x94 Dogmas of the Roman Catholic Faith , derived from \nText boohs of the Church \xe2\x80\x94 Excerpts from Roman Catholic Writers in \nfurther illustration of her Despotic Policy in Political as well as Reli\xc2\xac \ngious Affairs \xe2\x80\x94 Funds appropriated in Europe to aid the Romish Church \nin the United States. \n\nGentlemen: We will resume the discussion of our second \nproposition, \xe2\x80\x94 The Roman Catholic Church or Hierarchy is \na cunningly devised admixture of Religious and Political \nDespotism, of Paganism and Christianity. \n\nReligion , thou immaculate emanation of Divine mercy \nand love ! as a dove reposing upon her nest, thy guardian \nspirit with genial warmth penetrates the immortal germ \nhidden in the depths of a good man\xe2\x80\x99s heart, and it comes \nforth pure and beautiful as some new creation. Illumined \nby the light eternally shining in the bosom of an infinite \nGod, man discovers by revelation the true, immutable, the \never subsisting ideas and models of all that is, and all that \ncan ever be. From this sublime height alone, he contem\xc2\xac \nplates his own destiny, which no duration limits\xe2\x80\x94where \nhope spreads in immensity her indefatigable wings \xe2\x80\x94 where \nhe feels within himself a secret force, bearing him upward \nand onward, as a light body rising from the depths of the sea. \nChristian revelation proclaims popular liberty, universal \nequality, more beautifully, more impressively than Confu\xc2\xac \ncius, Solon, Lycurgus, and all other human legislators. It \nteaches the true relation which one man sustains towards \nanother : and of all men to God. The lormer is that of \nbrothers \xe2\x80\x94 the latter is that of children of a common Father. \nThe former relation teaches fraternal affection\xe2\x80\x94the latter \nsupreme love. Therefore they who claim supreme spiritual \nor temporal power, or any prerogative derived from revelation , \nimpiously pervert its holy teachings \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x99tis indeed an en\xc2\xac \ncroachment upon society, a revolutionary usurpation, a germ \nof ty ranny. \n\nAmericans , we conjure you in the name of Heaven, be\xc2\xac \nware of the insidious wiles of those crafty, avaricious, and \nambitious men, who preach servitude in any form to you, in \nCoe name of God; who plunge the people into ignorance, \nsuperstition, and stupidity, and then say, \xe2\x80\x9cbehold the people \nwant understanding and reason \xe2\x80\x94 they know not how to \n\n\n60 \n\n\nthink, to conduct themselves, or worship God ; therefore, \ntheir own interest requires that they should be directed \xe2\x80\x94 \nshould be governed \xe2\x80\x94 we will be their masters\xe2\x80\x94 they ought \nto be our slaves !\xe2\x80\x9d Shut your ears, we beseech you, against \nthis delusive Syren\xe2\x80\x99s voice \xe2\x80\x94 close your hearts against the \ndeadly poison it seeks to convey. But, this is Roman Catholi\xc2\xac \ncism. For does it not proclaim that Christ appointed Peter \nalone, \xe2\x80\x9chis successor and Vicarthat upon \xe2\x80\x9c this rock he \nbuilt his churchthat to him only he gave the power to \n\xe2\x80\x9c bind and loose on earth and in heaven that as the Vicar \nof him who fills the heavens with his majesty, he may in\xc2\xac \ndeed behold the Kings and Potentates of the earth, no less \nthan the servants of the church, submissive at his feet ; that \nby the \xe2\x80\x9c symbol of the two swords\xe2\x80\x9d he conferred upon Peter \nall spiritual and secular power; that the spiritual alone \nexists by itself, and shines like the sun, with its own bril\xc2\xac \nliancy : while the temporal power borrows from the spiritual, \na feebler and more dependent light, like the moon from the \nsun\xe2\x80\x94-that the Churches of Christendom, and the thrones of \nthe earth derive their glory and glitter from the resplen\xc2\xac \ndence of St. Peter\xe2\x80\x99s chair. \n\nThe chief objection to Roman Catholicism is that it never \nimproves. Whilst other orbs are brightening more and more \nunto the perfect day, it remains ever the same cheerless, \nchangeless, and opaque spot on the face of an illuminated sky. \nWhat is it connected with the Roman Catholic religion \nwhich forms the golden chain that has bound its members \nin every age and nation to its communion ? what the talis- \nmanic influence that ever retains them within its magic \ncircle? what the oblivious antidote that allays all their \ndoubts and misgivings about the propriety of any act of \nfaith, or ecclesiastical administration ? what the magnet \nthat attracts the wavering and desultory of other persua\xc2\xac \nsions within its gloomy sphere ? what was it to vindicate and \nestablish, the Crusades were commenced and prosecuted : \nnations and individuals were persecuted with fire and sword; \nKings and people, Empires and Continents were arrayed \nagainst each other for twelve hundred years, and the blood \nof 40,000,000 of victims flowed like water? Why, it is the \nclaims of \xe2\x80\x9c infallibility\xe2\x80\x9d and \xe2\x80\x9c divine holiness \xe2\x80\x9d of the Ro\xc2\xac \nmish See, of \xe2\x80\x9cHoly Mother Church.\xe2\x80\x9d These form that \nnimbus , which veils and justifies the pride, ambition, avarice, \ndebaucheries, crimes, and murders, of Popes, Cardinals, \nBishops, Priests, Jesuits, Monks, Convents, and Monasteries, \nof this most holy Mother. She is infallible , and therefore \ncannot err in wisdom. She is divinely holy , and therefore \nall her deeds and actions are righteous. But Jesus said \n\xe2\x80\x9cEvery tree shall be known by its fruit \xe2\x80\x94 a good tree can\xc2\xac \nnot bring forth evil fruit.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\n\n61 \n\n\nHistory, thou friend of my boyhood, prop and beacon light of my maturer \nyears, by thy truthful records expose these blasphemous pretensions, by \nwhich every tint and hue of crime has been sanctified, and every means \njustified to enslave and degrade mankind. This investigation of the acts \nand deeds of Popes and Cardinals, of Bishops and Priests, of assemblies, \nconclaves and councils, will range through a period of nine hundred years. \nWhen we have concluded tell us what you think of the \xe2\x80\x9c infallibility \xe2\x80\x9d and \n\xe2\x80\x9cdivine holiness\xe2\x80\x9d of Holy \xe2\x80\x9cMother Church,\xe2\x80\x9d and her \xe2\x80\x9cmost holy \nFathers \xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94the Popes of Rome, as well as the means she has employed to \nbeguile the world into a passive obedience to her divine behests. \n\nThe first recognition of Papal supremacy occurred as follows: From the \nimplacable hostility which existed between the Bishops of Rome and those \nof Constantinople and the East; between the Greeks and Italians; be\xc2\xac \ntween the Western and Eastern portions of the Empire; the Popes of \nRome early resolved to expel the Greeks from the Romish diocese ; to be\xc2\xac \ncome independent of the Bishops and Emperors of the East, and to become \nthe spiritual and temporal potentates of all the Italian Slates. To ac\xc2\xac \ncomplish this, they entered into a solemn compact with Pepin, and the \nother Carlovingian Kings, to publish bulls deposing the lawful King Chil- \nperic, of the Franks, and absolving the allegiance of the Catholics of the \nWestern Empire to him\xe2\x80\x94that they would bestow the crown upon Pepin \nhis usurper, and his legitimate successors forever. For the aid thus given, \nand for their future security upon the throne, these Kings assisted the \nPopes to wrest from the Greek Exarchate the territories of the Lombard \nKingdom ; to establish their sovereignty over the Italian States, and were \nthe very first to acknowledge their divine right to depose and elevate Kings. \nThis is the first outrageous fraud perpetrated by infallible and Holy Moth\xc2\xac \ner Church for worldly aggrandizement. Pope John VIII stipulated with \nCharles the Bald that he would bestow the usurped crown of Lorain upon \nhim, (although his predecessor attempted to bribe Charles to yield it to Lou\xc2\xac \nis II,) if he would confess that he received it from him and acknowledge \nhis dependence upon the Roman See. Hence in an assembly held in Pa- \nria, in 878, the infallible and holy Italian Nobles and Prelates recognized \nhim as the lawful Emperor in these memorable words\xe2\x80\x94\xe2\x80\x9cSince the divine \nfavor, through the merits of the holy Apostles, and the Vicar , Pope John, \nhas raised you to the empire according to the judgment of the Holy Ghost, \nwe elect you our protector and Lord.\xe2\x80\x9d This is another specimen of holi\xc2\xac \nness in Mother Church. \n\nPope John XII was elected at the age of 18, and so distinguished did he \nbecome for his lechery and other outrageous crimes, that the Emperor Otho \nthe Great had him driven Irom his pontificate, and Leo VIII chosen as his \nsuccessor. Upon the departure of Otho from Rome, John and his freinds \ndeposed Leo, and again resumed his official duties. But he did not long \nsurvive, for he was assassinated by a young Italian nobleman, whom he had \nsupplanted in the affections of his mistress. \xe2\x80\x99Twasat this period that two \ninfamous courtezans \xe2\x80\x94Theodore and Marozia\xe2\x80\x94by their influence with the \nnobles and clergy, procured the throne of St. Peter for their paramours \nand their illegitimate children, one of whom, Benedict IX, was elected at \nthe age of 12 years. What thinks \xe2\x80\x9c Holy Mother\xe2\x80\x9d of these instances \nof her \xe2\x80\x9cinfallibility\xe2\x80\x9d and \xe2\x80\x9choliness?\xe2\x80\x9d Again, Pope John XIII was \nstrangled to death in prison by the leader of the popular party, Cincius, \n\n\n62 \n\n\nfor his despotic sway, and support of the Imperial cause. Pope Boniface \nVII murdered his brother, Pope Benedict VII, whom he supplanted. Pope \nBenedict IX was forced to abdicate for his notorious, infamous conduct \nPopes Damascus II and Clement II, were poisoned by the Catholic emissa\xc2\xac \nries of Benedict. Pope Gregory VII, the Napoleon of Pontiffs, besides hia \nbarbarity, bribery, and general corruption, lived in sinful dalliance with the \nCountess Matilda, a fervid member of Holy Mother Church Urban II \nwas several times driven from the chair of St. Peter by his rival, Pope \nClement III. Alexander III, during his reign, between 1160 and 1181, \nsurvived two rival Popes, and vanquished a third. When Pope Gregory \nXI died, the French Cardinals elected Urban VI his successor. But he \nhaving personally offended the Queen of Naples, they assembled at \nFondi in the Kingdom of Naples, and annulling their former election, \nchose Clement VII. As both of these Popes claimed the pontificate, they \nthundered against each other, and their Cardinal adherents, counter an\xc2\xac \nathemas, and divided all Christendom for thirty-nine years by their disputes \nand contentions. Benedict XIII, Gregory XII, and Alexander V, were \nthree rival Popes who lived at the same time in Rome, plundering the \npeople, and the treasury of the Romish See; all duly elected legitimate \nsuccessors of St. Peter, by \xe2\x80\x9cMost Holy Mother Church\xe2\x80\x9d of \xe2\x80\x9cinfallible \nwisdom\xe2\x80\x9d and of \xe2\x80\x9cDivine Holiness.\xe2\x80\x9d How richly the picture unfolds. \n\nAgain : after the death of Nicholas, the papacy, exhausted by all sorts \nof crimes and excesses, left the Holy See vacant for two long years. Of \ncourse, during the whole of this time, there was a suspension on earth \nand in heaven of all infallibility, all mercy, all holiness, because there ex\xc2\xac \nisted no Pope through which alone these God-like attributes flowed ; no \nsuccessor < f St. Peter, who held alone \xe2\x80\x9cthe keys, and the power to loose \nand to bind.\xe2\x80\x9d But now the solemn farce culminates ; for the populace and \nclergy were threatened by an insane old Monkish Hermit with divine \nvengeance, if they did not at once proceed to an election of a Pope. The \nConclave met, and elected a feeble old fanatic, and dubbed him with the \nname of Celestine IV. This is the Pope who, in blasphemous imi\xc2\xac \ntation of our Saviour\xe2\x80\x99s entrance into Jerusalem, entered Aquilla, seated on \nthe back of an Ass, with two Kings holding the bridle of his gallant steed. \nThe Cardinals becoming disgusted with the pride and folly of this idiotic \nPope, deposed him, and elected Boniface VIII, one of their number, his \nsuccessor. Pope Benedict XI revoked the Bulls of his brother, Pope \nBoniface VIII, against the King of France, and died by poison in 1304. \nAgain, the Holy See continued vacant for one entire year , on account of \nthe bitter contentions and criminations of the Cardinals, which, however, \nterminated in the election of Clement V, who had been previously bought \nup by the King of the French. As proof of this, he restored the Colonas \nin Italy to their ecclesiastical dignities; abrogated the hostile bulls of his \npredecessor against King Phillipe, and gave him a bounty of five years \ntenths from the clergy of his kingdom. Pope Clement is distinguished in \nhistory for his avarice and extortion. Benedict Xlf issued a bull, by \nwhich he condemned as heretical the doctrine of his brother, Pope John \nXXII, \xe2\x80\x9cthat the beatific vision of God was not fully realized till the resur\xc2\xac \nrection.\xe2\x80\x9d Alexander VI, whom Mosheim calls the \xe2\x80\x9c Nero of Pontiffs,\xe2\x80\x99* \nexpired along with his abandoned son, Cardinal Caesar Borgia, after an en\xc2\xac \ntertainment, in which they inadvertently drank the poison they had pre- \n\n\n63 \n\n\npared [ox four rich cardinals. Julius III died March 23d, 1555, leaving a \ncharacter the most detestable for his crimes and debaucheries. He adopt\xc2\xac \ned his nephew, and created Cardinal the hoy who had been his page, and \nkeeper of his monkeys. Such was the infamous character of Pope Paul \nIV, that the people of Rome, in 1559, when he expired, broke his statue \nto pieces, and dragged its head through the streets publicly burnt the prison \nof the inquisition, and released from imprisonment hundreds ol the doomed \nvictims of his diabolical passions and vengeance. His dying admonitions \nto the Cardinals were, \xe2\x80\x9cthe universal establishment oi the inquisition, and \nthe extermination of unbelievers and heretics.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nWe might extend indefinitely historical instances of the crimes, de\xc2\xac \nbaucheries, intrigues, knavery, murders, schisms, and collisions of the \nPopes, Cardinals, conclaves, assemblies, and councils of this \xe2\x80\x9cinfallible,\xe2\x80\x9d \nand most \xe2\x80\x9cHoly Mother Church but what we have presented ought to \nsuffice to expose her blasphemous pretentions to the attributes of Divinity, \nand the wicked means by which she has sought to degrade and enslave \nmankind. \n\nThe reform of Pope Nicholas II in A. D. 1059, was the finishing stroke \nof that grand consolidated system of spiritual and temporal despotism by \nwhich the Roman Catholic Church has preserved its organization, rigidly \nand uniformly for ages, amid all nations, through all the changing tides of \ntime. What was this reform ? First, that the elections of all Popes should \nbe exclusively confined to the Cardinals. For centuries the nobles of \nItaly, the French Monarchs, and the German Emperors, nominated, or \nhad elected, their favorites to the papal chair; hence these Popes could \nnot pursue their selfish and aggrandizing policy without partial depen\xc2\xac \ndence upon these potentates. They must be independent, and consequent\xc2\xac \nly must be elected alone by Cardinals, who themselves were created such \nby Popes, and had no ties but those that bound them to Mother Church. \nSecondly, the prohibition of the investiture of the spiritual order, such as \nBishops, by secular heads, as kings and princes. This was to prevent any \ndependence of Archbishops, Bishops, or Priests, upon any Prince or State \nfor office, or its honors or emoluments; but to bind all these ecclesiasti\xc2\xac \ncal dignitaries, like all the Cardinals, alone to the Throne of St. Peter. \nThirdly, the injunction of Celibacy , which was to be ridgidly enforced \nagainst every grade of the clergy. For the first centuries, like the Apos\xc2\xac \ntle Peter and others, the clergy all married if they desired. But this \nidentified them with society; they formed attachments for wives, children, \nrelatives, friends, and country, and all this was contrary to the single, iso\xc2\xac \nlated and despotic attachment to the Romish See, which was necessary to \ncompass her spiritual and temporal domination; her enslavement of all \nmen and nations. Thus, as history proves, ever since the perfection of \nthis religious organization, the Archbishops, the Bishops, Priests, Jesuits, \nand Monkish orders of the Roman Catholic Church, have never evinped \nany tie or affection for any object on earth save the Romish See; they \nhave never had, nor by their oaths of ordination, can they have, any other \ncountry but \xe2\x80\x9cHoly Mother Church.\xe2\x80\x9d The Pope of Rome (their Lord and \nMaster,) and \xe2\x80\x9cMother Church,\xe2\x80\x9d are their only objects of love and idolatry. \nTo procure office they must obtain it from the Pope. If they need money \nfor any Church purposes, when all other sources fail, they know that their \nmost \xe2\x80\x9cHoly Father\xe2\x80\x9d never denies his faithful and obedient children any- \n\n\n64 \n\n\nthing. Thus, the Roman Catholic Clergy, bound to no earthly object of \naffection, to no country, move through the world animated corpses, their \nsouls retired to their own centre, and concentrated there, consume them\xc2\xac \nselves in midnight solitude, and like Lamps in gloomy sepulchres, shine \nonly upon the ruins of man. \n\nWhat is the secret organization of the American party, compared to that \nmysterious system of ordination and oath of allegiance which exists between \nthe Romish See and the clergy of every order of the Catholic church? Can \nyou now find out that system? Can you get a Jesuit or a Bishop, the one to \npublish his oath of allegiance, the other his oath of ordination? You can\xc2\xac \nnot, by torture, extort either from them. This chain of despotism extends \nfrom the chair of St. Peter, through every nation, and is every where forged \nto enslave the people. We will give you some idea of the general diffusion \nof this religion among the nations of the globe. In Asia the subjects of \nthfi Grand Seignor are Catholic, as are the Maronites of Mount Lebanon; \nthey are found in vast numbers in Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Persia, \nHindostan, throughout the vast Empire of China, in Cochin China, Ton- \nquin, Siam, in the Phillippine Islands, and through all others of the Eastern \nOcean. In Africa, it prevails in Madeira, the Canary and Cape DeVerd \nIslands; the greater portion of the inhabitants of Loango, Congo and An- \ngolia, adhere to this religion: and so also, those of the kingdom of Moca- \nranga, Mozambique, Zanquebar, and Melinda. Many also, are found in \nGuinea and in Egypt, and other Mahomedan States of the North. In \nSouth America, Mexico and Central America, four-fifths of the inhabitants \nof every State belong to the Catholic church. The Dutch Guina is the \nonly exception. Three-fourths of the inhabitants of the Canadas are Cath\xc2\xac \nolics. In Europe, the religion of Spain, Portugal, Austria, the Italian \nStates, France, Germany and Ireland, is Catholic, and it is either the es\xc2\xac \ntablished or prevailing religion; while in England, Scotland, Norway, \nSweden, Belgium, Prussia, Turkey and Russia, the Catholics are only \ninferior in number to the members of the established church, or predomi\xc2\xac \nnant religion. Of all Christian denominations, the Catholic is by far the \nmost numerous in the world. In Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oce- \nanica, in 1845, there were 731 Bishoprics, and a total Catholic population \nof 155,777,540. Since this period, in the United States, in Africa and \nAsia, they have increased most wonderfully. We find in 1834, from the \n\xe2\x80\x9c Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge,\xe2\x80\x9d that there were in the United \nStates, of Roman Catholics, 1 Arch Bishop, 10 Bishops, 327 officiating \nclergymen, 146 Sisters of Charity, 8 Roman colleges, 29 convents, and a \npopulation of 550,000. In 1850, from the \xe2\x80\x9cCensus Reports,\xe2\x80\x9d we find, of \nRoman Catholic Churches, 812; of Ministers, 864 ; and of population, \n1,173,700. \n\nThus, we see, in the last sixteen years, the Roman Catholics in the U. \nStates have doubled in numbers, and are increasing much more rapidly \nthan any other denomination. But by far the greater portion of this in\xc2\xac \ncrease is from foreign immigration, and mostly of Germans and Irish, with \nforeign attachments, language, kindred and ideas of government. \n\nWe wish to prove to you, beyond all doubt, in what estimation all other \nChristian denominations are held by Roman Catholics, and what, indeed, \nwould become of them if they were predominant, or had the power in the \nUnited States. The following propositions were extracted from \xe2\x80\x9cDr. \n\n\n65 \n\n\nDeri\xe2\x80\x99s System of Theology,\xe2\x80\x9d a text-book for every Papal theological semi\xc2\xac \nnary in the land: 1st. \xe2\x80\x9cProtestants are heretics, and as such, are worse \nthan Jews and Pagans. 2nd. They are, by baptism and blood, under the \npower of the Roman Catholic church. 3rd. So far from granting tolera\xc2\xac \ntion to Protestants, it is the duty of the Church to exterminate the rites of \ntheir religion. 4th. It is the duty of the Roman Catholic Church to compel \nheretics to submit to her faith. 5th. That the punishments decreed by the \nRoman Catholic Church, are confiscation of goods, exile, imprisonment \nand death.\xe2\x80\x9d We will also give you some extracts from the Popish Testa\xc2\xac \nment, commonly known as the \xe2\x80\x9c Rhemish Testament.\xe2\x80\x9d Protestants: \xe2\x80\x9cTo \nbe present at their service, and all communication with them, in spiritual \nthings, is a great and damnable sin.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9c The church service of England, \nthey being in heresy and schism, is not only unprofitable, but damnable.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\xe2\x80\x9cThe translators of the English Bible ought to be abhorred to the depths of \nhell.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cJustice, and rigorous punishment of sinners is not forbidden, nor \nChristian Princes for putting heretics to death. Heretics ought, by public \nauthority , either spiritual or temporal , to be chastised or executed.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cThe \nblood of millions of saints, shed by the Papal Church, is not called the \nblood of saints any more than the blood of thieves , mankillers , or any other \nmalefactors, for the shedding of which, by order of justice, no common\xc2\xac \nwealth shall answer.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nTennesseeans, as further confirmation of the spirit of the Catholic \nChurch, and of its ulterior designs against the liberty and institutions of \nthe American people, we submit various extracts culled from leading Cath\xc2\xac \nolic Journals in the United States and Europe, from their leading reviews, \nfrom the speeches of Daniel O\xe2\x80\x99Connel, the Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius \nIX, and the disclosures made by the violent Papist, Duke of Richmond, \nwhile Governor General of Canada. They are as follows: \n\nFor our part, we take this opportunity of expressing our hearty delight \nat the suppression of the Protestant chapel at Rome. This may be thought \nintolerant, but when, we would ask, did we ever profess to be tolerant of \nProtestantism, or favor the doctrine that Protesta ntism ought to be tolerated? \nOn the contrary, we hate Protestantism\xe2\x80\x94we detest it with our whole heart \nand soul, and we pray that our aversion to it may never decrease. We hold \nit meet, that in the Eternal City no worship repugnant to God should be \ntolerated, and we are sincerely glad that the enemies of truth are no longer \nallowed to meet together in the capitol of the Christian world.\xe2\x80\x94 Neioburgh \nCatholic Visitor. \n\nNo good government can exist without religion; and there can be no re\xc2\xac \nligion without an inquisition, which is wisely designed for the promotion \nand protection of the true faith.\xe2\x80\x94 Boston Pilot. \n\n* You ask if he [the Pope] were lord in the land, and you were in a mi\xc2\xac \nnority, if not in numbers, yet in power, what would he do to you? That, \nwe say, would entirely depend on circumstances. If it would benefit the \ncause of Catholicism, he would tolerate you\xe2\x80\x94if expedient, he would im\xc2\xac \nprison you, banish you, fine you, possibly he might even hang you ; but, \nbe assured of one thing, he would never tolerate you for the sake of the \n\xe2\x80\x9cglorious principles\xe2\x80\x9d of civil and religious liberty,\xe2\x80\x94 Rambler. \n\nProtestantism of every form, has not, and never can have any rights \nwhere Catholicity is triumphant.\xe2\x80\x94 Brownson's Quarterly Review. \n\n5 \n\n\n66 \n\n\nLet us dare to assert the truth in the face of the lying world, and instead \nof pleading for our Church at the bar of the State, summon the State itself \nto plead at the bar of the Church, its divinely constituted judge .\xe2\x80\x94I bid. \n\nI never think of publishing anything in regard to the Church, without \nsubmitting my articles to the Bishop for inspection, approval and endorse\xc2\xac \nment.\xe2\x80\x94 Ibid. \n\nI declare my most unequivocal submission to the Head of the Church, \nand to the hierarchy in its different orders. If the Bishops would make a \ndeclaration on this bill, I never would be heard speaking against it, but \nwould submit at once, unequivocally, to that decision. They have only to \ndecide, and they close my mouth; they have only to determine and I obey. \nI wish it to be understood that such is the duty of all Catholics .\xe2\x80\x94Daniel \n(V Connell. \n\nHeresy and unbelief are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy \nand Spain, for instance, v/here all the people are Catholics, and where the \nCatholic religion is an essential part of the law of the land, they are pun\xc2\xac \nished as other crimes.\xe2\x80\x94 R. C., Bishop of St. Louis. \n\nA heretic examined and convicted by the church, used to be delivered over \nto the secular power, and punished with death. Nothing has ever appeared \nto us more necessary. More than 100,000 persons perished inconsequence \nof the heresy of Wickliffe, and a still greater number for that of John Huss; \nand it would not be possible to calculate the bloodshed caused by Luther, \nand it is not yet over .\xe2\x80\x94Paris Universe. \n\nAs for myself, what I regret, I frankly own, is, that they did not burn \nJohn Huss sooner, and that they did not likewise burn Luther. This hap\xc2\xac \npened because there was not found some prince sufficiently politic to stir \nup a crusade against Protestants .\xe2\x80\x94Paris Universe. \n\nThe absurd and erroneous doctrines of ravings in defense of liberty of \nconscience, is a most pestilential error\xe2\x80\x94a pest of all others most to be \ndreaded in a State .\xe2\x80\x94Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius XI, Aug. 15,1852. \n\nProtestantism of every kind. Catholicity inserts in her catalogue of mor\xc2\xac \ntal sins. She endures it when and where she must, but she hates it, and \ndirects all her energies to effect its destruction.\xe2\x80\x94 Shepherd of the Valley. \n\nReligions Liberty, in the sense of a liberty possessed by every man to \nchoose his religion, is one of the most wretched delusions ever foisted on \nthis age by the father of all deceit \xe2\x80\x94The Rambler. \n\nThe Church is, of necessity, intolerant. Heresy she endures when and \nwhere she must; but she hates it, and directs all her energies to its destruc\xc2\xac \ntion. If Catholics ever gain an immense numerical majority, religious free\xc2\xac \ndom in this country is at an end. So our enemies say\xe2\x80\x94so we believe.\xe2\x80\x94 \nShepherd of the Valley. \n\nThe liberty of heresy and unbelief is not a natural right. All the rights \nthe sects have or can have, are derived from the State, and rest on expedi\xc2\xac \nency. As they have in their character of sects hostile to the true religion, \nno rights under the law of nature or the law of God, they are neither \nwronged nor deprived of liberty if the State refuses to grant them any \nrights at all.\xe2\x80\x94 Brownson's Review, Oct., 1852, p, 456. \n\nThe sorriest sight to us is a Catholic throwing up his cap and shouting, \n\xe2\x80\x9cAll hail, democracy!\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94 Brownson's Review, Oct., 1851, pp. 555-8. \n\nWe think the \xe2\x80\x9cmasses\xe2\x80\x9d were never less happy, less respectable, and less \nrespected, than they have been since the Reformation, and particularly \n\n\n67 \n\n\nwithin the last fifty or one hundred years-\xe2\x80\x94since Lord Broughman caught \nthe mania of teaching them to read, and communicated the disease to a large \nproportion of the English nation, of which, in spite of all our talk, we are \ntoo often the servile imitators.\xe2\x80\x94 Shepherd of the Valley . \n\nYou should do all in your power to carry out the intentions of His Holi\xc2\xac \nness, the Pope. Where you have the electoral franchise, give your votes \nto none but those who will assist you in so holy a struggle.\xe2\x80\x94 Daniel O'Con- \nnel , 1843. \n\nThe Duke of Richmond, speaking of the government of the United States, \nsaid : \xe2\x80\x9cIt was weak, inconsistent and bad; and could not long exist. It will \nbe destroyed; it ought not, and will not be permitted to exist; for many and \ngreat are the evils that have originated from the existence of that govern\xc2\xac \nment. The curse of the French Revolution, and subsequent wars and com\xc2\xac \nmotions in Europe, are to be attributed to its example; and so long as it ex\xc2\xac \nists, no prince will be safe upon his throne; and the sovereigns of Europe \nare aware of it; and they have determined upon its destruction, and have \neome to an understanding upon this subject, and have decided on the means \nto accomplish it; and they will eventually succeed by subversion rather than \nconquest .\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cAll the low and surplus population of the different nations of \nEurope will be carried into that country. It is, and will be a receptacle for \nthe bad and disaffected population of Europe, when they are not wanted \nfor soldiers, or to supply the navies; and the governments of Europe will \nfavor such a course. This will create a surplus and a majority of low popu\xc2\xac \nlation, who are so very easily excited; and they will bring with them their \nprinciples; and in nine cases out of ten, adhere to their ancient and former \ngovernments, laws, manners, customs and religion; and will transmit them \nto their posterity; and in many cases, propagate them among the natives. \nThese men will become citizens, and by the constitution and laws, will be \ninvested with the right of suffrage. The different grades of society will \nthen be created by the elevation of.a few, and by degrading many, and thus \na heterogeneous population will be formed, speaking different languages, and \nof different religions and sentiments; and to make them act, think and feel \nalike in political affairs, will be like mixing oil and water; hence, discord, \ndissension, anarchy and civil war will ensue; and some popular individual \nwill assume the government, and restore order, and the sovereigns of Eu\xc2\xac \nrope, the emigrants, and many of the natives will sustain him.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cThe \nchurch of Rome has a design upon that country; and it will in time, be the \nestablished religion, and will aid in the destruction of that republic-\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cI \nhave conversed with many of the sovereigns and princes of Europe, and \nthey have unanimously expressed these opinions relative to the Government \nof the United States, and their determination to subvert it.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nAs additional proof of the designs of the \xe2\x80\x9cChurch of Rome\xe2\x80\x9d upon the \nUnited States, we append the following \xe2\x80\x9ccontributions received in the \nUnited States from abroad, to aid the Catholics to build churches, erect \ncolleges, to support the clergy,\xe2\x80\x9d &c-,&c.: During the year 1839, they \nreceived $160,000; in 1840, $163,000; in 1842, $177,000; in 1843, \n$175,000; in 1844, $150,000; in 1845, $160,000 ; in 1846, $250,000. \nSince this period, from the most, reliable data, they could not have re\xc2\xac \nceived less, annually, than $200,000. We are credibly informed, that the \nBishop of Nashville,* but the other day, received from \xe2\x80\x9chis most holy fath\xc2\xac \ner,\xe2\x80\x9d Pius IX, a very handsome sum. \n\n\n68 \n\n\nWe now solemnly ask every American citizen, in view of these facts r \nhow can he withhold his support from the American Party, if he wish to \npreserve for himself and his children longer, American constitutional lib\xc2\xac \nerty. We challenge any man living, to show, in any age or among any \npeople, when the Roman Catholic Church was ever the friend of popu\xc2\xac \nlar sovereignly \xe2\x80\x94when it was ever the advocate of the freedom ol thought \nand conscience, or of an untrammeled education of the people, where \nit was the dominant or established church. \n\nOur next article will conclude this series. I am AN AMERICAN. \n\n\nNO. XIII. \n\nThe Constitution of the Homan Catholic Church further considered as \nantagonist to Civil Liberty and Popular Rights\xe2\x80\x94Colonization of \nMaryland hy Lord Baltimore\xe2\x80\x94Catholic toleration in Poland\xe2\x80\x94The \nRoman Catholic admixture of Paganism and Christianity\xe2\x80\x94The Pope's \npretensions to supreme authority in Civil and Religious affairs, whence \nderived\xe2\x80\x94The Pagan and Catholic Priesthoods analogous \xe2\x80\x94 Organiza\xc2\xac \ntion , policy and discipline of the different orders of the Priesthood, and. \ntheir implicit obedience to the Pope\xe2\x80\x94Monachism a Pagan element of the \nRoman Catholic Church\xe2\x80\x94The Confessional\xe2\x80\x94The doctrine of Purga\xc2\xac \ntory\xe2\x80\x94Image worship derived from Paganism , and commended by Pope \nGregory II\xe2\x80\x94 The adoration of Relics\xe2\x80\x94Roman Catholic Miracles\xe2\x80\x94The \ndoctrine of Indulgences, and the shocking abuses to which it led \xe2\x80\x94 Catho\xc2\xac \nlic and Protestant countries compared\xe2\x80\x94Political position of the Ameri\xc2\xac \ncan Party with regard to all other parties \xe2\x80\x94 Dedication. \n\nGentlemen: In article tenth we announced the three fol\xc2\xac \nlowing propositions for discussion : First: That the Govern\xc2\xac \nment of the United States was the only one that ever existed in \nwhich all religious power and authority were separate from all \npolitical. Secondly: That the Roman Catholic Church, or \nHierarchy was a cunningly devised admixture of politico-reli\xc2\xac \ngious despotism, of paganism and Christianity. Thirdly: That \nthe union of Church and State in the organism of Govern\xc2\xac \nments, has invariably led to the usurpation of the rights of the \npeople\xe2\x80\x94to national corruption, degradation and ruin. \n\nThe first proposition we have thoroughly discussed\xe2\x80\x94the sec\xc2\xac \nond and third partially. We, therefore, propose, in this, our \nlast communication, not only to conclude our remarks upon the \nsecond and third propositions, but also to define explicitly our \nposition relative to all other political parties. \n\nWe have previously stated that the Catholic Church, in no \nage or nation, was ever the friend of political and religious \nliberty, of popular sovereignty, of the inalienable rights of the \npeople, where it was either the dominant or the established \nreligion ; and we have challenged any confutation. But it has \nbeen asked with no ordinary degree of complacencv:\xe2\x80\x94Was \nnot the colony of Maryland, established by Lord Baltimore, \nCatholic, and did it not grant the free enjoyment of religious \n\n\n\n69 \n\n\nfaith and opinion at a period, when, throughout every other \nEnglish colony, Protestants were persecuting each other with \nall the virulence of a bigoted sectarian animosity? Again, was \nnot Catholic Poland struggling for political and religious eman\xc2\xac \ncipation, when Russia, Prussia and Austria, like Promethean \nvultures, tore her vitals asunder? Did not freedom shriek \nwhen Kosciusko fell? We will answer these as we have all \nsimilar questions, with unquestionable historical facts, for we \nare not conscious of having perpetrated at any time, the least \ninaccuracy. \n\nIn 1632, when Lord Baltimore procured from King James \nof England his patent to plant the Colony of Maryland beyond \nthe Potomac, he was an Irish nobleman. Born in Yorkshire, \nEngland, and educated at Oxford, he was the firm friend of \nSir Robert Cecil, and the recipient of the favor and high con\xc2\xac \nsideration of his sovereign. He had been a member of the \nBritish Parliament, and also one of the Secretaries of State. \nBut all this time he was a zealous Protestant. Upon his renun\xc2\xac \nciation of Episcopacy, and profession of Catholicism, he retired \nby the favor of his sovereign, upon the dignity of an Irish \npeerage, and the benevolent and accomplished Sir George Cal\xc2\xac \nvert became Lord Baltimore. Having ever shared in the gen- \neial enthusiasm of England in favor of American plantations, \nhe failed in his first enterprize to colonize New Foundland. Be\xc2\xac \ncoming fascinated with the glowing and picturesque description \nof the hospitable clime, the beautiful scenery and prolific soil \nof the Potomac, he sought and obtained from the Crown an\xc2\xac \nother patent to colonize Eastward and Northward of the Vir\xc2\xac \nginia Plantation. Hence, the ocean, the fortieth parallel of \nlatitude, the meridian of the western fountain of the Potomac, \nthe river itself from its source to its mouth, and a line drawn \ndue east from Watkins 5 Point to the Atlantic, formed the metes \nand bounds of this, his second charter. The name given it \n(Maryland) was in honor of Henrietta Maria, the wife ot \nCharles I., daughter of Henry IV. The following is a part of \nthe first statute of this colony, passed in April, 1649, relative \nto religious liberty: \xe2\x80\x9cWhereas, the enforcing of the conscience \nin matters of religion, has frequently fallen out to be of dan\xc2\xac \ngerous consequence in those commonwealths where it has been \npractised ; and for the more peaceful and quiet government of \nthis province, and the better to preserve mutual love and amity \namong the inhabitants, no person professing to believe in Jesus \nChrist, shall be in any way troubled, molested, or discounte\xc2\xac \nnanced for his or her religion, or in the free exercise thereof.\xe2\x80\x9d \nThis clause of toleration extended only to Christians, for it was \nintroduced by the proviso: \xe2\x80\x9cWhatsoever person shall blas\xc2\xac \npheme God, deny or reproach the Holy Trinity, or any of the \nThree Persons thereof, shall be punished with death. Thus, it \n\n\n70 \n\n\nis evident that Jews, Mahometans and Pagans, who are not \nChristians, would have been punished with death! and perlect \ntoleration did not exist in this Catholic Colony. \n\nBut this instance of Catholic toleration was supremely lidic- \nulous from other considerations. Who was Fjord Baltimore ? \nBy birth, education, and the greater portion ol his life, a Pro\xc2\xac \ntestant. From whom did he obtain his charter ? From a \nProtestant King, Parliament and people. If Lord Baltimore \nhad attempted to obtain a patent to plant a Catholic Colony, \nin which he purposed to persecute Protestants, from James, or \nCharles, or the British Parliament, it would have been impos\xc2\xac \nsible. Would these Protestants, who were at that very mo\xc2\xac \nment, in the home government, persecuting the Catholics, have \ngranted a charter to a Catholic, by which he and his colony \nmight persecute themselves? \xe2\x80\x99Tis ridiculous, the supposition. \nIf we wish to ascertain what sort of a charter would have \nbeen procured from a Catholic Prince and people, if sought, \nlet ns look at the condition of Catholic Spain. France and \nSpain had both colonized Florida\xe2\x80\x94the French as Protestant \nCalvinists. When the bigoted Romanist, Philip It., of Spain, \nlearned this fact, he said that the heretic Calvanists should not \ncolonize in the neighborhood of his Catholic provinces; and \nhe immediately despatched Pedro Melendez De Avilles, distin\xc2\xac \nguished for his intolerance, barbarity and vengeance, to fit out \nan expedition to \xe2\x80\x98extirpate the heretics, but spare the Catholics/ \nHence, on his arrival at the French port, when asked who he \nwas, he replied to the commandant: \xe2\x80\x9cI am Melendez of Spain, \nsent with strict orders, by mv King, to gibbet and behead ail \nthe Protestants in these regions. The Frenchmen who are \nCatholics I will spare, but every heretic shall die.\xe2\x80\x9d He butch\xc2\xac \nered hundreds of men, women and children indiscriminately. \nThis is a fair specimen of Catholic toleration by a Catholic \nPrince and people. \n\nNow for Catholic toleration in ill-fated Poland. Its first divis\xc2\xac \nion occurred as follow's : A spirit of territorial aggrandizement \non the part of Russia, Austria and Prussia, had its influence \n\xe2\x80\x94the defects of the Polish constitution, in that its monarchy \nwas elective, which invited foreign interference and intrigue, \nhad also somewhat to do with it; but the cardinal cause was \nthe civil war brought about by the'persecution of the Protest\xc2\xac \nants, and members of the Greek church by the established \nchurch\xe2\x80\x94the Roman Catholic. By the Diets of 1717 and 1733, \nthese dissidents were deprived of the public exercise of their \nreligion. Hence, Russia, Great Britain, Denmark and Prussia \ndemanded of the Diet of ] 766 a reinstatement of the Dissidents \nin the same religious and civil rights which they had anteriorly \nenjoved, and reason and humanity demanded. But the zeal of \nthe fanatic Catholics refused, and foreign aid was then invoked \n\n\n71 \n\n\nby the disfranchised religionists. The Pope and Austria sup\xc2\xac \nported the Catholics\xe2\x80\x94Russia and Prussia the malcontents. \nAustria soon withdrew her aid. and joined the active coalition \nupon a formally ratified compact, that she should share equally \nin the spoliation of Poland. It was done, and the first division \nresulted, more than any other cause, from Catholic bigotry and \nintolerance. \n\nThe second and third divisions, or the total obliteration of \nPoland from the map of nations, happened as follows: When \nwar broke out between Russia and the Ottoman Porte, the \nformer demanded of Poland an offensive and defensive alli\xc2\xac \nance. But Poland, smarting under the accursed retrospection \nof her first dismemberment, and the quartering upon her citizens \nof a large Russian army, and being promised aid by the King \nof Sweden and Frederic William of Prussia, boldly resolved \nonce more to strike for independence; and demanded of the \nEmpress an immediate withdrawal of her troops from all her \nterritories. Catharine II, astonished at such courageous and \ndefiant resolution, withdrew her troops, and the world paid the \nintrepid Poles the merited tribute of loud applause. Now, the \npermanent Council of State was dissolved, and now a com\xc2\xac \nmittee was appointed to draft a new constitution, more in ac\xc2\xac \ncordance with the advanced spirit of the age ; for the dreadful \nstorm-cloud of the French Revolution, based on natural equal\xc2\xac \nity, had darkened the western horizon of Europe, and its mut\xc2\xac \ntering thunders threatened even the distant Imperial throne \nof the Czar. The constitution was framed and adopted, but \nit did not recognize either religious toleration, the sovereignty \nof the people, or equality of civil rights. It fixed the Catho\xc2\xac \nlic as the established religion, and granted to all other confes\xc2\xac \nsions \xe2\x80\x9ca reasonable liberty\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94it declared the Polish throne \nhereditary, and appointed Frederic Augustus, of Saxony, suc\xc2\xac \ncessor to the reigning king\xe2\x80\x94it gave exclusively to the king \nand his council, the exercise of the executive authority, and \npermitted these also to participate in the legislative department \n\xe2\x80\x94it guarantied unimpaired the prerogatives of the nobility, and \nleft the peasants\xe2\x80\x94the people\xe2\x80\x94 the fundamental mass of the \nnation, still in hopeless bondage. But bitter dissensions and \nfearful broils still existed among the Poles. Then it was un\xc2\xac \nhappy Poland was shamefully abandoned by all her allies\xe2\x80\x94 \nPrussia and faithless Austria armed against her, and Russian \nhordes, with Scythian barbarity,pouring down in mountain tor\xc2\xac \nrents, overwhelmed her. The heroic Madalinski and Kosci\xc2\xac \nusko, though fighting like Nemean Lions, bathed iii blood, could \nnot save her ; for Providence decreed that they should leave \nher as they found her, decayed in her glory and sunk in her \nworth. Then occurred the second and third divisions; and \nthen shot fearfully from the political heavens of Europe, the \n\n\n72 \n\n\nstar of the once glorious, and in the Fast, predominant Polish \nstate\xe2\x80\x94the lamentable victim of national spoliation, and viola\xc2\xac \nted internal public law. Thus we see that Catholic Poland \nwas never the friend of popular sovereignty, ot the inalienable \nrights of the people, or civil or religious liberty. \n\nWe will now discuss the Romish Church, with regard to its \nadmixture of paganism and Christianity. The best summary \nof the doctrines of this church is found in the famous creed o( \nPope Pius IV, which is regarded as the true and unquestionable \nbody of Popery. The XXIII article of this creed is what \nevery Bishop, Priest, and Archbishop must swear to : \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\x9c I do \nacknowledge the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church \nto be the Mother and Mistress of all churches; and I do pro\xc2\xac \nmise and swear true obedience to the Bishop ( Pope) of Rome\xe2\x80\x94 \nsuccessor to St. Peter \xe2\x80\x94Prince of Apostles, and the Vicar of \nJesus Christ\xe2\x80\x9d But we will quote the language of Catholic \nwriters themselves, of the estimation in which the Pope by \nthem is held. Jocabatius, Durand, Gilbert and Pithion, on the \nauthority of the Canon law, style the Pontiff \xe2\x80\x9c the Almighty\xe2\x80\x99s \nVicegerent\xe2\x80\x94who occupies the place, not of a mere man, but \nof the true God.\xe2\x80\x9d According to Innocent the Third, \xe2\x80\x9c The \nPope holds the place of the true God.\xe2\x80\x9d The Canon Law in \nthe gloss denominates the Roman Hierarch \xe2\x80\x9c Our Lord \nGod.\xe2\x80\x9d These quotations will suffice for our purpose, but we \nmight multiply them indefinitely. This claim of the Pope is \ncertainly indispensable, to justify his spiritual and temporal \nsupremacy. But it was not suggested by any such pretension \non the part of St. Peter, or any other of the Apostles or early \nchristains. It must, therefore, have been from the claims of \nPagan religion. Let us see. The Grand Lama, who, like the \nPope, resides in a magnificent palace at Patoli in Thibet, and \nsurrounded by quite as many servile priests, is called, even \nnow, the \xe2\x80\x9c Vicegerent of God on earth;\xe2\x80\x9d and the distant \nnomadic tribes of Tartary (as the Jesuits, the Popes,) regard \nhim absolutely as the Deity himself; and Kings and Emperors \n(as they do the Pope) pay him homage. The believers of this \nreligion call the Grand Lama \xe2\x80\x9cInfallible and Most Holy Lord;\xe2\x80\x9d \nand he (like the Pope of Rome) is absolute in power through\xc2\xac \nout his vast dominions. It prevails throughout the whole of \nAsia, and it is said to be one of the most ancient of religions. \nThe Maximus Pontifix, the High Priest of the Druids, was \nabsolute in his authority; and those who refused civil or reli\xc2\xac \ngious obedience to him were declared \xe2\x80\x9cimpious and accursed.\xe2\x80\x9d \nThe Imam of the Druses, is regarded by the followers in the \nsame extraordinary light. Among the Medes and Persians, \neach King was honored with the high sounding title of \xe2\x80\x9c King \nof Kings\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94was regarded as infallible, the only holy fountain \nof civil and religious authority; and being possessed of abso- \n\n\n73 \n\n\nlute power, these Kings claimed equal respect with the gods \nthemselves. The Kings of the Parthians were held in the \nsame estimation. Mahomet claimed to be the Vicegerent of \nGod\xe2\x80\x94the first in dignity and last in succession, of all the holy \nprophets, one of whom he esteemed Jesus Christ, and he, too, \nclaimed infallibility and absolute power. The Koran declares \n\xe2\x80\x9c there is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet.\xe2\x80\x9d Thus, \nwe see that this claim of the Pope to Vicegerency and infalli\xc2\xac \nbility is not of Christian, but Pagan authority; and the object \nbeing the same with these imposters\xe2\x80\x94the enslavement and \ndegradation of mankind. \n\nWe have previously shown that the despotisms of the old \nworld were sustained through the agency of pagan priesthood \nor clergy; so the Romish church has employed its priesthood \nto attain universal supremacy in the modern world. In every \nrespect\xe2\x80\x94in organization, in doctrines of passive obedience, in \npretensions of mystic lore and religious prerogative, in the un\xc2\xac \nscrupulous means employed, in indomitable thirst after posts of \ndistinction and wealth, the Pagan and Catholic priesthoods are \nanalogous. All Catholics obey their Bishops\xe2\x80\x94these their Me\xc2\xac \ntropolitans\xe2\x80\x94these their Primates\xe2\x80\x94these their Patriarchs, and \nall are bound by an irrefragible chain to the throne of St. Peter. \nBeneath all these, dispersed throughout the nations of the earth, \nis the ever active, vigilant and working priesthood. They are \nchiefly divided into two orders, differing only in the parts which \neach has to play in the grand drama of world empire\xe2\x80\x94the \none Monastic, the other Jesuitical. The immediate design of \nthe Monastic Order, was, to separate its members from the \nworld ; that of the Jesuits, to render themselves the masters \nof it. The Monk was a retired devotee of Heaven, and required \nto work out his salvation by extraordinary acts of devotion \nand self-denial. The follower of Loyola considered it his duty \nto plunge into all the bustle of secular affairs, to maintain the \ninterests of the Romish church; he was sent forth to watch \nevery transaction of the world which might affect the interests \nof religion, and was especially enjoined to study the disposi\xc2\xac \ntions, and cultivate the friendships of persons of high rank; \nand bound in perfect obedience to his Captain General, who \nresided in Rome, appointed by the Pope; he went wherever \nhe was ordered, performed what he was commanded, and suf\xc2\xac \nfered whatever he was enjoined. However liberal the external \naspect of this institution seemed, nothing can be imagined so \nrigid and secret as its organization. Before the expiration of \nthe sixteenth century, the Jesuits had obtained the chief control \nof the education of the youths of every Catholic country in \nEurope, and were the confessors of almost all its Monarchs. \nBut in every position, they moulded all and every thing to the \ndespotic sway of the Romish See. \n\n\n74 \n\n\n\xe2\x80\x9cA Protean tribe, one knows not what to cal], \n\nWhich shifts to every form, and shines in all, \n\nGrammarian, Painter, Augur, Rhetorician, \n\nRope-dancer, conjuror, fiddler, and physician. \n\nAll trades their own, the Pope their God in all.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nOf the Monastic orders there are many varieties: Basilians, \nBenedictines, Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans, Canons \nregular, and others. Like all the variety of Nuns, they take \nthe solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and diller \nonly in rules of discipline, dress and peculiar privileges granted \nto each order by the Pope. While the Monks are almost all \nunder the jurisdiction of the Pope, the Nuns are either under \nthat of the Bishop or clergyman of their own order. The \nascetic principles which constitute the basis of the Monastic \norders are more ancient than Christianity itself. They were \ncommonly practiced among the Hindoos, Gymnosophists, \nEsseans, Pythagoreans, and Cynics, by anacorites, hermits, \nrecluses, monks and priests; and even at present, the coun\xc2\xac \ntries in which the religions of Brama, Fo, Lama, and Mo\xc2\xac \nhammed prevail, are full of fakirs, santons, tanirs, talapoins, \nbonzes, and dervises, whose fanatical and absurd penances, like \nthose of the Catholic monastics, are rather the arts of hypoc\xc2\xac \nrisy than the fruits of piety. These abominable orders were \nnot known to the early Christians, and are opposed to every \nprinciple of Christianity. It was not until the fifth and sixth \ncenturies that these institutions became the reputed asylums \nof retired purity and sanctity. Mahomet was violently op\xc2\xac \nposed to all Monks, and they were not introduced into his \nchurch for three hundred years after his death. He said, \xe2\x80\x9c I \nam opposed to vows which war against nature, because they \nwar against God.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nMonachism is another Pagan element of the Catholic church. \nIt requires the suppression of natural affection, all social enjoy\xc2\xac \nment, and its very essence is affected piety. Nature cannot be \noffended with impunity\xe2\x80\x94you cannot suppress her powers, \nwithout their elastic rebound open for themselves a destructive \ncourse. The Monk and the Nun, constrained to renounce the \nmost agreeable sentiments\xe2\x80\x94to be severe to themselves\xe2\x80\x94ene\xc2\xac \nmies to all pleasure, however innocent, dead to the world, be\xc2\xac \ncome intolerant, destitute of all forbearance, compassion, or \nsympathy. In all the annals of bloody persecutions, these \nCatholic orders have ever been chiefly conspicuous. Subject\xc2\xac \ning themselves to the law of blind obedience, they adopt the \ndespicable sentiments of slaves, and lose all idea of the true \ndignity and moral grandeur of human nature. How can these \nmiserable specimens of human nature esteem the domestic, \nsocial and civil virtues, when thev. have renounced them for- \never, and are incessantly teaching others to do so. The State \n\n\n75 \n\n\nwhere Monachism prevails, is closed to all liberal cultivation \nof the mind, to all high moral illumination, to ennobling free\xc2\xac \ndom, to human felicity, to industrial development, thrift and \nfortune\xe2\x80\x94to the highest destination of man. Its genial soil is \ndespotism, superstition, hypocrisy and sensuality. \n\nThe Chaldean and Egyptian priests were analogous to the \nJesuits; they were ministers in the temple, philosophers, \nstatesmen, architects, skilled in political ethics, every branch \nof occult or mystic science, and all, too, for the same object\xe2\x80\x94 \nto accumulate wealth, and attain temporal distinction and \npower. These Jesuitical orders have ever been distinguished \nin all ages and nations for the unscrupulous means which they \nhave employed to compass their ends. \xe2\x80\x9cOne of them, \xe2\x80\x99tis \nsaid, in India, procured a pedigree to prove his own descent \nfrom Brahma ! and another, in America, assured a native chief \nthat Christ had been a valiant and victorious warrior, who, in \nthe space of three years, had scalped an incredible number of \nmen, women and children.\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x99Twas about the middle of the \nseventeenth century that these orders reached their point of \nculmination, and especially the Jesuitical, which eclipsed every \nother Romish community. But the great blow which they \nreceived, and which was the commencement of their declina\xc2\xac \ntion, was from the admirable pen of Pascal. The letters pro\xc2\xac \nvinciates 5 that great model of satire and eloquence, held them \nup to the merited contempt and detestation of mankind, and \nmade their name a by-word and a reproach. \n\nSince the general abolition and suppression of their institu\xc2\xac \ntions in Europe, they have been, by the bulls of Popes and \ndecrees of Princes and States, resuscitated and restored; and \nto-day their armies of priests, are the very sheet-anchors of \ntheir despotic thrones. Besides, they are pouring in ceaseless \ntorrents into our own beloved country, muddying and poison\xc2\xac \ning our pure streams of liberty, virtue, chastity, education and \nreligion. They are establishing everywhere, convents, colle\xc2\xac \nges, missions, hospitals, sisters of charity, and monasteries\xe2\x80\x94 \nnurseries of despotism, superstition, ignorance and bigotry\xe2\x80\x94 \nstews of sloth, stupidity, indolence and debauchery\xe2\x80\x94where \neducation is taught without the least tincture of useful, practi\xc2\xac \ncal learning\xe2\x80\x94of good manners, or of true religion ; where the \ntaste and sentiment of all the domestic and social relations are \ncorrupted and vitiated ; where idle vagabonds resort, and noble \nindustry is checked and discouraged. \n\nYes, Americans, these are some of the appliances of that \nvitiating and despotic church, by which your glorious tree in\xc2\xac \nstitutions are being gradually undermined and subverted. \n\nThe Confessional. This is the most despicable appendage \nof the Catholic church. It is here the cunning Priest becomes \nacquainted with ail the secret thoughts, feelings, passions and \n\n\n\n\n76 \n\n\nsympathies of every member of his church, and thus, over all \ntheir minds and hearts, acquires complete mastery. In Mexico, \nCentral and South America, in Spain, Portugal and other \nCatholic States of Europe, through their pretended power to \nremit sins, to grant indulgences, to bind and loose on earth \nand in heaven, innocent and infatuated maidens are seduced \nto \xe2\x80\x9c take the veil \xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94to become inmates of convents and nun\xc2\xac \nneries\xe2\x80\x94to become holy victims of the Priests\xe2\x80\x99 lawless desires. \nIn the countries above mentioned, many of these secluded \ninstitutions have degenerated into consecrated harems: and \neven in portions of the United States, in them the most fla\xc2\xac \ngrant and licentious acts have been perpetrated. It is notori\xc2\xac \nous in New Mexico that Priests not only have two and three \nwives, but keep a seraglio of concubines adjoining their \nehapeis. In Mexico, Cuba, South America, and the Catholic \ncountries of Southern Europe, Priests will go immediately \nfrom Mass and witness bull and cock fights, to various gam\xc2\xac \nbling establishments, to various houses of ill-fame, and not only \nbet freely, but indulge in all sorts of excesses. \xe2\x80\x99Tis here, at \nthe confessional, that the artful Priest makes slaves of freemen, \nwith the promised beatitude of heaven, or the threatened fires \nof hell. What admirable mediators between God and man, \nthese priestly tricksters. \n\nThe doctrine of purgatory. This is another despotic device \nby which the Romish priesthood sway at will the minds of \nmen. They say there are none who depart this life so just \nand pure that they must not expiate in purgatory certain of\xc2\xac \nfences which do not merit eternal damnation. They divide \nall sins into mortal and venial \xe2\x80\x94the former damnable, the latter \npardonable. But if you have money, all are pardonable, if \nnot, all are mortal. Jesus Christ said, \xe2\x80\x9c come unto me all ye \nthat are weary and heavy laden, without money or price.\xe2\x80\x9d \nThe Catholic Priest says, come unto me all that are weary and \nheavy laden with money , for I must have my price. It is the \nprayers and intercessions of the Priest alone that can release \nthe soul from adamantine chains and penal fires; and these \nare given for money. But this fiction also is of Pagan origin. \nAmong the Egyptians, the dread tribunal after death was a \njudicial institution, confined alone to the priesthood. By this \ntribunal they determined whether the dead bodies even of \nKings, were worthy of anointing, embalming, and a sepulchre, \nor whether they should not be cast away for natural decay. \nIf the former, the soul passed through a purgatorial state, \ncalled transmigration ; if the latter, then it was totally extinct. \nThe doctrine of purgatory was common also among the Brah\xc2\xac \nmins of India. They believed that there were seven spheres \nbelow, and seven above the earth, in a descending and ascend\xc2\xac \ning scale. In the highest of the ascending, was the celestial \n\n\n77 \n\n\nresidence of their great god, Brahma. All the sacred writings \nof the Brahmins represent the universe as an ample and au\xc2\xac \ngust theatre, for probationary souls in a purgatorial state, \never ascending the siderial ladder, through various gradations \nof toil and suffering, till they attained the pristine state of \nperfection and blessedness. This constitutes their doctrine of \nMetempsychosis. This doctrine was also common among the \npagan votaries of Lamaisrn\xe2\x80\x94the Jews, Mahommedans, the \nPythagorean and Platonic sects. While this was a mere \nscholastic vagary among these sects, it was a cunning device \nupon the part ot these pagan Egyptians and Catholic Priests, \nto hoard pennies, and acquire despotic influence over the fears \nand hopes of superstitious and infatuated men. \n\nImage worship is also another Pagan feature of the Romish \nchurch. Was not the Catholic church charged with this idola\xc2\xac \ntry in the eighth century, not only by the Greeks, Jews and \nMohammedans, but by all the Christian Bishops of Constanti\xc2\xac \nnople and the East? There was a Synod held at Constanti\xc2\xac \nnople in the year A.D., 754, by three hundred and thirty-eight \nBishops, in which they pronounced and subscribed a unani\xc2\xac \nmous decree: \xe2\x80\x9c That all symbols of Christ, except in the \n\nEucharist, were either blasphemous or heretical; that image \nworship was a revival of Paganism; that all such monuments \nshould be broken and erased.\xe2\x80\x9d It is a historical fact, that \nwhen the Mahometans captured and sacked Constantinople, \nthey destroyed all Catholic images and relics in their churches, \ncalling them Pagans and Idolators. Six successive Emperors \nof the Roman Empire supported the reason and religion of the \nIconoclasts, against the Bishops of Rome in their idolatrous \nworship of images. But, finally, the Popes of Rome prevailed. \nPope Gregory II. appealed to arms against his sovereign and \nthe Iconoclasts, and in his address to the Italians for aid, he \nused this argument: \xe2\x80\x9c You Italians should not oppose image \nworship , because it is connected with your ancient, hereditary \nglory; because, in sustaining us you are supporting the religion \nof your ancestors.\xe2\x80\x9d The Catholics now contend, in the pictures \nof Christ, of the Holy Mother, of Angels, and the relics of \nSaints, that they do not adore them in themselves, but the per\xc2\xac \nsonages, and the qualities and attributes of character, which \nthey impersonate and represent. Does any sensible man \nbelieve that the learned Egyptian worshipped the goat, mon\xc2\xac \nkey, crocodile, as well as leeks and onions ? Does any one \nbelieve that the Romans and Greeks worshipped the statues ol \ntheir innumerable divinities, their heroes and demigods? Cer\xc2\xac \ntainly not; but the elements and qualities and properties \nrepresented and symbolized. Yet they are termed in \xe2\x80\x9c Holy \nWrit\xe2\x80\x9d Pagans and Idolators; and, indeed, so are the Cat ho- \n\n\n78 \n\n\nThe adoration of relics, and the alleged miracles performed \nby them, and at the tombs of the saints, have led to the most \nabominable superstitions and knavery. At one time such was \nthe rage to procure relics to adorn and consecrate churches in \nEurope, that they have actually succeeded in getting \xe2\x80\x9c eight \narms of St. Matthew, three of St. John, and an incredible \nnumber of St. Thomas A. Deckel\xe2\x80\x94they have the ark and rod \nof Moses\xe2\x80\x94the table on which the last supper of the Savior \nwas instituted\xe2\x80\x94on the altar of the Lateran are the heads of \nSt. Paul and St. Peter entire\xe2\x80\x94at St. Peter\xe2\x80\x99s Church, is the \ncross of the penitent thief; also, the lantern of Judas\xe2\x80\x94the \ndice used by the Roman soldiers who cast lots for our Savior\xe2\x80\x99s \ngarments\xe2\x80\x94the tail of Balaam\xe2\x80\x99s ass\xe2\x80\x94the saw, axe and hammer \nof St. Joseph\xe2\x80\x94the combs that the Apostles and the Virgin \nMary used,\xe2\x80\x9d and an indefinite number of other tomfooleries . \nWe will give you some idea of the miracles said to be per\xc2\xac \nformed at the tombs of the saints\xe2\x80\x94also, by their relics and \nimages, by stating one which has been publicly announced to \nthe world. \xe2\x80\x9cAn official publication, authorized by the Papal \nCourt of Rome, declared that twenty-six pictures of the Virgin \nMary opened and shut their eyes in 1796 and 1797, and a \nstatue of the Virgin at Torrice changed color and perspired.\xe2\x80\x9d \nThe doctrine of indulgences, of the seven sacraments, of tran- \nsubstantiation, of extreme unction, and sundry others, peculiar \nto the Romish church, are anti-Christian or Pagan in their \norigin, and are designed either to make a penny for the hypo\xc2\xac \ncritical priesthood, or to stultify and degrade the masses of \nmen. \n\nThe doctrine of indulgences has led to the most extraordi\xc2\xac \nnary crimes and enormities. At one period in Europe, Popes \nmanufactured indulgences by the wholesale, for vagabond \nmonks and priests, who hawked them about everywhere for \nsale, graduating their prices to the ability of the purchasers. \nThose that would cost princes an hundred pounds, could be \nbought by a peasant for so many pennies. \xe2\x80\x99Tvvas these that \nmost shocked the religious sense of the world, and aroused the \nspirit of the Reformation, whose trumpet-voice of religious \nliberty shook for years the thrones of Europe, and silenced \nthe thunder-peals of the Vatican. \n\nThe other appurtenances of the Romish church to which \nwe have alluded, belong rather to polemic theology than to \npolitical philosophy; hence, we will not give them a critical \nexamination. Civil and religious liberty are like two palm- \ntrees, which bear ambrosial fruit only when growing side bv \nside. This remark introduces our third proposition, \xe2\x80\x9c that \nthe union of Church and State in the organism of govern\xc2\xac \nments, has invariably led to the usurpation of the rights of the \npeople\xe2\x80\x94to national corruption, degradation and ruin.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\n\n79 \n\n\nWe have already discussed this subject in our previous arti\xc2\xac \ncles, and it is only necessary here to state our previous conclu\xc2\xac \nsion\xe2\x80\x94that there never existed a nation in the ancient, nor is \nthere one of the modern world, where any religion became \neither the dominant or established church, incorporated with \nthe civil departments of the government, in which the church \ndid not become the most potent and permanent auxiliary of \ndespotic administration. If you wish to see the blighting \neffects of the Catholic church, as such, upon the morals, liber\xc2\xac \nties and enlightenment of nations, compare in all the elements \nof national dignity and greatness, Mexico, Central and South \nAmerica, with the United States; or Spain, Portugal, Italy \nand Austria, with Prussia, Scotland and England. How infi\xc2\xac \nnite the contrast! Roman Catholicism is as some dread comet \nupon the world let loose, \xe2\x80\x9c that from its fiery hair shakes pes\xc2\xac \ntilence and death.\xe2\x80\x9d \n\nWe have now arrived at the last topic of discussion, the \npolitical position of the American order with regard to all \nother parties. These are our positions : \n\nIn the nomination of candidates we will advocate the se\xc2\xac \nlection of good men and true, of acknowledged integrity and \ntalent, regardless of the Whig or Democratic predilections \nof the same. But in all cases they must be members of our \norganization. \n\nWe will maintain and defend the Constitution as it stands, \nthe Union as it exists, and the rights of the States as guaran\xc2\xac \ntied thereby. \n\nWe will ignore the agitation of the slavery question, and \ndiscard its discussion as a Federal issue; as well ns all other \nquestions of a sectional character, or of municipal regulation. \n\nThus, have we finished the original thirteen articles which \nwe proposed writing, in exposition and vindication of the \nprinciples and policy of the great American party, to which \n>ve dedicate them; believing, as we humbly do, that, in the \nhands of Providence, it is destined to snatch our beloved \ncountry from the terrible vortex to which foreignism and \nRoman Catholicism were hastening it with almost irresistible \nimpetuosity. lam AN-AMERICAN. \n\n\n[Copyright secured according to law.] \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n80 \n\n\n\xc2\xae 033 239 176 8 \n\nPLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY OF TENNESSEE. \n\n\nWe believe that American Liberty is the richest inheritance ever committed \nto man, and, in proportion to its value, should be our vigilance and fidelity in its \ndefense. We should guard, with a jealous eye, every assault upon its integrity, \nwhether proceeding from faction within, or interference without. We would re\xc2\xac \ngard the slightest diminution of, or infringement upon this Liberty, as the greatest \ncalamity that could befall the human family. We hold, that in its continued and \nultimate triumph are involved the progress, the elevation and the happiness of the \nrace. While it is eminently peculiar to Americans, it is yet the strongest bond \nbetween them and the remainder of mankind. The present generation of citizens \nand patriots will best show themselves worthy of this inheritance and of the glory \nwon by their forefathers, by transmitting both undiminished and unimpaired to \ntheir posterity. For the purpose of preserving this sacred possession among our\xc2\xac \nselves, and, as far as we can, of securing its safety forever, we pledge ourselves \nto each other and to the country, to stand by the following declaration of our prin- , \neiples and sentiments: \n\nResolved, That we esteem it the highest duty of American citizens to promote \nthe permanence and prosperity of their country; and that, with this view, they \nshould defend the principles of American Republicanism proclaimed by our fathers \nof the Revolution of 1776, and embodied in the Constitution of the United States \n\nResolved , That, while no obstacle should be interposed to the immigration ot \nhonest and industrious foreigners, we will protest against the United States being \nmade either a penal colony or a pauper establishment for the use of foreign nations; \nand we will, therefore, advocate the passage of such laws as will prevent the ship\xc2\xac \nment to our shores of all foreign criminals and paupers, and demand of the govern\xc2\xac \nments conniving at their shipment, immediate and ample satisfaction for the outrage. \n\nResolved, That the suffrages of the American people for political offices, should \nnot be given to any others than those born on our soil, and reared and nurtured \nunder the influence of our institutions. \n\nResolved, That no foreigner ought to be allowed to exercise the elective fran\xc2\xac \nchise till he shall have resided within the United States a sufficient length of time \nto enable him to become acquainted with the principles, and imbued with the \nspirit of our institutions, and until he shall have become thoroughly identified with \nthe great interests of our country. \n\nResolved , That we will maintain the vested rights of all persons, whether of \nnative or foreign birth, and will, at all times, oppose the slightest interference \nwith such rights. \n\nResolved, That the intelligence and virtue of the people are necessary to tlie \nright use and continuance of our liberties, civil and religious ; hence, the propriety \nand importance of promoting and fostering all means of moral and intellectual \nculture by some adequate and permanent provision for general education. \n\nResolved, That the Bible in the hands of every citizen is the only permanent \nbasis of civil and religious liberty. \n\nResolved, That we acknowledge the right of all men to worship God according \nto the dictates of their own conscience; that we will interfere in no wise, with \nprivate judgment on religious subjects; that we will oppose all union of Church \nand State, regardless of whatever sect or party may seek to bring about such \nunion. \n\nResolved, That we will maintain and defend the Constitution as it stands, the \nUnion as it exists, and the Rights of the States, without diminution, as guaran\xc2\xac \ntied thereby; and we will oppose all who may assail them, or either of them. \n\nResolved, That we recognise no law higher than the Constitution, and that the \nassumption of a right by any foreign Prince, Pope or Potentate to interfere with \nthe affairs of our people, is at war with the peculiar liberty which we have justly \ndenominated American. \n\nResolved, That we will ignore the agitation of all questions, of whatever char\xc2\xac \nacter, based upon geographical distinctions or sectional interest. \n\nResolved, That we will support those who maintain our doctrines, and oppose \nthose who oppose our doctrines; and we will use our utmost exertions to build up \nan \xe2\x80\x9cAmerican Party,\xe2\x80\x9d whose maxim shall be, AMERICANS SHALL GOVERN \nTHEIR COUNTRY. \n\n\n"