SPEECH or JAMES 0. P U T N A M, OF BUFFALO, ON THE BILL, PROVIDING FOR THE STlII OF TH E TITIE OF CIII UICI POPER TY II LAY TBIISTIES. DELIVERED IN THE SENATE OF NEW YORK, JTALNUARRY 30, 1855. For who knows not that Truth is strong, next to the Almighty; she needs no policies, nor stratagems nor licenaings, to make her victorious; those are the shifts and the defences that error uses against her power.-MILTox. ALBANY: VAN IENTHUYSEN, PRINTER, 407 BROADWAY. 1855. SPEE C H. Mr. CH.KIRMAN:-As I originally introduced, kind, this convention doth, &c., (declaration of and subsequently reported this bill from the free exercise of religion, here follows.) select committee, without stating at length their 39. And whereas the ministers of the gospel views, it seems proper that I should submit to are by their profession, dedicated to the service of the Senate the objects at which it aims, and the God and the cure of souls, and ought not to be considerations which have induced my action. diverted from the great duties of their function, The'bills seeks uniformity in the tenure of.church therefore no minister, &c., (concludes with a temporalities. While my attention has, as a declaration of their ineligibility to any civil or legislator, been called to the questions involved, military office.) I have been sensible of the importance of main- Thus it appears that at the very origin of our tailing to all citizens of everyshde of religious sen- State government, when was settled the policy tinent, the constitutional guarantee of the " free which should exist for ages, with such modificaexercise and enjoyment of religious profession tions as a progressive civilization, and an advancand worship." While I believe this principle is ing sentiment of liberty might require, our in no measure violated by the bill proposed, I fathers recorded their experience of past oppresremember that even this guarantee, is made by sions under priestly rule, and declared it to be the fundamental law, subject to the condition, their conviction that the safety of the State "that it do not lead to practices inconsistent from "spiritual oppression and intolerance," with the peace or safety of the State." Salus depended upon the limitation of the authority populi, suprema lex, is the parnmount idea of the of the clergy to what they might legitimately Constitution. This bill interferes with no belief, acquire in their office as spiritual teachers. it strikes at no general and long established po- Very soon after the adoption of the Constitution, licy of any church, or of any body of religionists. and in 1784, the Legislature was called upon to It simply provides for the vesting of the title of form a system of government of church tempo. lands dedicated to religious uses, in Trustees of ralities, and one was carefully perfected in entire the congregation enjoying the same, in accord- harmony with the theory of our political Instiance with a law and policy of the State which tutions. are almost co-existent with its incorporation into Leaving the clergy to the service of'God and the Federal Union. It may lead us to a better ap- the cure of souls,, they secured the independence preciation of this subject if we refer to that policy, of the laity, and the rights of conscience, by the and to the motives which led to its adoption, most practical limitation of the power of the The organization of New York. like that of priesthood, which could be obtained by legislaher sister colonies, into a free and independent tion. The act of 1784 "to provide for the State, was'the result of the triumph of the incorporation of religious societies," and which popular principle of the right of man to self is substantially the act under which all church government. property until very recently has been held, proThat organization was the overthrow of all vided that the title of such property should be political power not emanating from the popular vested in Trustees elected by the church, conwill, and of all undue prerogative on the part of gregation or society, occupying and using the a priesthood.. New York, as she shared its same, for purposes of religious worship. Slight labors and sacrifices, fully sympathized with the modifications of that act have been made to spirit of the Revolution, and has ever adhered meet the practice of two or three denominations to the Republican policy inall matters pertaining of Christians, but none of them yielding the to Church or State. If the founders of our great principle that the laity should have the State government were careful to secure to the substantial control of the property, through people the right of governing themselves, and to their representatives elected by the body of the throw around the citizen the safeguards of a church or congregation. This develops to us constitutional liberty, they were no less careful the policy of the State, and the constitution to confine the clergy within their legitimate from which we have quoted, reveals tlte consi. sphere as spiritual guides. This jealousy of derations which led to its adoption. clerical influence is one of the most marked It is a policy alike cautious and Republican features of our first State Constitution. Let us It recognizes the justice of placing the control look for a moment at the rock from which we of consecrated property in the hands of those were hewed. It is well, at times, to trace the by whose sacrifices and bounty it was acquired. stream back to its fountain. It manifests that jealousy of the power of the The preambles of sections 38 and 39, of our priesthood, not necessarily incident to their first State Constitution. which are declaratory spiritual office, which their own experience, as of the free exercise of religious liberty, are as well as the history of centuries of contest, befollows: tween the clergy and the laity, could not but 38. And whereas we are required by the bene- awaken. This act secured the rights of conscience volent principles of rational liberty, not only to and the freedom of worship. It realized a cenexpel civil tyranny, but also to guard against tral idea of the revolution-a separation of church that spiritual oppressioqn and intolerance where- and State. It was a practical embodiment of with the bigotry andambition of weak and the American sentiment. " A PRIEST FOR THE wicked priests and princes have scourged man- PEOPLE, AND NOT, THE PEOPLE FOR PRIEST.s" 4 Under this act, ah the religious societies of table use belong to the bishop of the diocese; the State soon organized. Protestant and Catho- unless it shall be made to appear, and be conlic alike, availed themselves cf its provisions, firmed by writings, that it was granted to some and the line of demarkation of power. between religious order of monks, or to some congregathe clergy and the laity contemplated by the tion of priests for their use." constitution, and defined by this enactment, has This is no less than an act of confiscation. It been carefully preserved until the last few years. does not even recognize the right of property in If it sometimes facilitated a change of dogmas those by whose bounty it was purchased, but it in the faith of worshippers of a particular con- arrogates to the Bishops an actual proprietorgregation, it has been supposed that what was ship, and by absolute decree of this ecclesiastical lost to a self-claimed orthodoxy, was more than council, so far as it could be enforced by persuagained to the rights of conscience and the free- sion or discipline, transfers the possession, condom of inquiry. trol, and ownership, of millions of property, from Under this Republican policy, the different the laity, to the clergy. denominations of Christians have grown power- This was a policy on the part of the Catholic ful in numbers and influence, withot any abate- clergy, no less bold in its antagonism to the inent on the part of the people of respect for their whole theory of our government, than happily spiritual teachers. On the contrary, by divesting adapted to the objects of control at which it the clergy of allpower over church temporali- seems to have been aimed. ties, and thus removing a cause of jealousy and It may be added, that this ordinance was substrife, unhappy collisions have been avoided, and mitted to, and received the approval of, the they have lived as the spiritual guides and the Pope of Rome.'friends of their people, who in turn, have re- Immediately upon the promulgation of this posed in them that confidence, and yielded to new order, the bishops in their respective diethem that esteem, which belong to consistent ceses throughout the United States, conmmenced piety, and to useful lives. the effort to obtain the surrender of all corporate Within the last few years has grown up in this churches on the part of their congregations, and State, a system of rule entirely antagonistic to the transfer to them individually, of the titles to the system I have reviewed, and in violation of church property, cemeteries, seminaries of learnthe whole spirit of our constitution and laws. ing, hospitals, &c., &c. In most instances in This is its history. As early as 1829, it was dis- this State, it being made a test of good Catholicovered by the Prelates of the Catholic Church, cism, these transfers were made without prothat under American institutions, the system of tracted resistance. In other instances, among committipg the control of church temporalities congregations imbued with the spirit of our free to the laity, led to a degree of independence of institutions, and who had learned to recognize as the priesthood, not in keeping with the absolu- just, the division of power between the clergy tism of the Catholic Hierarchy. Its tendency and the laity, which our civil polity had estawas to divide power with the clergy. To meet blished, this demand was resisted. The Catholic this difficulty, the following ordinance was pass- laity claimed that their rights did not exist by ed in the Grand Council of Bishops, held at mere sufferance of the clergy. That having Baltimore, Oct. 1, 1829: organized into Corporations in pursuance of our Coun.of B e O 1, 1 laws, they were bound as good citizens to abide - Council of Baltimore, Oct. 1, 1829. by the policy of the government whose protec-'" Whereas lay trustees have frequently abused tion they enjoyed. When this resistance was the right (jure) granted to them by the civil,protracted, it led to the most unhappy controauthority, to the great detriment of religion andversies. And wherever the congregations have scandal of the faithful, we most earnestly desire finally refused to yield their franchises, and (optamus maxime) that in future no church be surrender their titles in obedience to the Baltierected or consecrated unless it be assigned by a more ordinance, thev have suffered the severest written instrument to the bishop in whose diocesepenalties which can, n this country, be inficted it is to be erected for the divine worship and use the Catholic communicant. The church of the faithful, whenever this can be done. of St. Louis, in the city of Buffalo, is one of the Appoved by Greory VI, Oct. 1 0."congregations which have adhered to the policy This, it will be observed, was expressive of no of the State. This congregation is composed of more than an earnest desire. It was an appeal a French and German population, most of whom to the amtiability of the Catholic congregations. have been for many years residents of the United That appeal failed of its purpose, and so much States. were the people disinclined to comply with this Their petition to this body details an unhappy policy, when not urged as a right, that another controversy of several years. The real estate step was taken in 1849, at the seventh Provincial upon which their church edifice was erected, was Council of Bishops of the United States held at in 1829 conveyed for the use of a Catholic conBaltimore, when a measure of revolution was gregation to be thereafter organized, by the late adopted, no less than the divesting of the Catho- Louis Le Couteulx, a man most honorably assolic laity of all power over Church temporalities, ciated with the history of his adopted City and and its centralization in the hands of the priest- State. In 1838, the congregation was organized hood. under the laws of this State, and seven trustees The fourth article of the ordinances of that elected, in whom the title vested by virtue of Assembly, is as follows: the act in relation to religious corporations. " ARTICLE 4. The Fathers ordain, that all Before the passage of the Baltimore ordinance, Churches, and all other Ecclesiastical property, Bishop Hughes "attempted to compel the truswLiich have been acquired by donations or the tees to convey the title of this church property offerings of the Faithful, for religious or chari- to him." After the Baltimore ordinance wore 5 vigorous measures were set in operation by the Our Constitution and policy are Republican. Bishop of that diocese, to compel the transfer The State guarantees the freedom of worship of the tltie. A son of the grantor of the land and the liberty of conscience to all its citizens. made a visit to the Head of the church at Rome, As a part of its policy, and to prevent that undue to obtain an equitable adjustment of the contro- influence of the priesthood over the people which versy. The result was, the deputation of Arch is alike incompatible with the personal freedom Bishop Bedini, a Nuncio of the Pope, to visit the of the citizen, and with the safety of the State, church, and if possible, settle its difficultis. it has engrafted the popular element upon the The _Nuncio refused any terms, except those system of rule in church property. which had been previously made by the Bihop, The State finds a counter policy in the Cathoin compliance with the Baltfimore ordinance,and lie Church. Its democratic system is met and transfer of title. In Septemiber last, the Bishop antagonized by the absolute element, of a spirimade his final proposition for an adjustment, tual power defiant of all our usages and laws. which was rejected. It finds millions of property, wrested from the For this adhesion to our laws on the part of hands of congregations, and concentrated in indithe St. Louis congregation. their trustees have vidual ecclesiastics. been excommlunicated. Every sacrament, every It finds a'priesthood, not content with the sacred privilege most dear to. the sincere Catholic, legitimate influence which belongs to their chahave been denied the members of the congrega- racter as spiritual guides, securing a power tion. over timid consciences, little less than absolute, In their petition they say: through their control over every consecrated { For no higher offence than simply refusing place.. to violate the Trust Law of our State, we have It finds this system of rule creating bitter disbeen subjected to the pains of excommunication, sensions, between priest and people, dangerous and our names held up to infamy and reproach. to the peace of society. For this cause too, have the entire congrega- It finds itself called upon by Catholic congretion been placed under ban. To our members thegations, whose only crime is, that they have holy rites of baptism and of burial have been obeyed the laws, to interpose between them and denied. The marriage sacrament is refused. these ecclesiastical exactions. The Priest is forbidden to minister at our altars. I-as the State a duty to perform in view of In sickness, and at the hour of death, the holy these facts? consolations of religion are withheld. To the What, Sir, will the State answer to the church Catholic clurchman it is scarcely possible to of St. Louis, and other congregations sympaexaggerate the margnitude of such deprivations. thizing with it, whose sufferings for adhering to " We yield to none in attachment to our reli- ourlaws are so forcibly depicted in their petition? gion, and cheerfully render to the Bishop that To say nothing of the great principles involved obedience, in spi itual matters, which justin thejt ihis question on'which side should be found interpretatio-n of our faith may require; but in the sympathy of the government. With those respect to the temporalities of our Church, we ho seek to establish a policy at war with its claim the right of obeying the laws of the State, own system or with those who would respect whose protection we enjoy." your policy and obey your laws? Should it be WhIile the Bishops have been securing the with that absolutism that tolerates no freedom transfer to thenmselvres of the title of church of speech, no licence of opinion, and which can property consecrated at the tfime of the' action grow strong only at the expense of your vigor, at Baltimore, they have taken in every instance and can become dominant, ouly upon the ruins of ini this Stat.:, so fr as I can ascertaitn, the title republican liberty? Or shall that sympathy be of all property which since that action has been extended to those, who, cherishing the Catholic purchased for church, educational. or charitable religion, would mould its policy to the theory purposes, in cornection with the Catholic corn- of our government, and would submit their nnnion. In the county of Erie alone nearly system of rule to that modification which it sixty dii'erent conveyances of lands, have been must receive, from contact wNith institutions like made to John Timnon, the Bishop of the Buffallo ours? I cannot, as a legislator, nor would I diocese, during the last seven years. and the have the State look with indifference on a convalue of this property is estimated at over one troversy like this. On the one side is priesthood, million dollars. This propoerty consists of sites panoplied with all its power over the pockets of churches. cathedrals. hospitals, and educa- and consciences of its people, armed with the tional establishments, besides a large amount of terrible enginery of the. Vatican, seeking in'yet vacant lands. Some estimate may be formed open defiance of the policy and laws of the State of the vast aggr-egate of property now vested in to wrest every inch of sacred ground from the the three Catholic Bishops of New York, froi control of the laity, property secured by their this statement in relation to a single county Sweat and sacrifices, and to vest it in the solitary which contains but one city, and that lhaving but hands of a single Bishop, that he may close the seventy thousad inhabitlnts. The legal effect door of the sanctuary, put out the fires upon its of this propoietorship in the Bishop, is to vest altar, and scourge by his disciplinary lash, every the absolute title in him a. aan individnal. so that ommunicant, from its sacraments, ordinances were he to die intestnte. it would:go to his heirs. and worship, who dares think a thought indeBut it is presun1Adr that he lives with an executed pendent of his Spiritual Master. On the other will, which devises his pr.oertv, to his succes- hand, we see a band of men who have lived long sor in office, thus pratically creating a close enough in their adopted country, to have the corporation sole, in the Bishop of the diocese. gristle of their liberal opinions hardened into This then is the present position of this ques- bone,men devoted to the church of their fathers, tion. but who love the State to which they'have 6 sworn allegiance, and who respect its institutions, dissent and independency. Not to Catholic States we see them resisting, with a heroism which alone need we go for the proofs, they are to be would honor the age of heroes, unitedly, un- found in the history of the English Church, from waveringly, in defiance of bulls of excommuni- Henry VIII, to the present century, and to cation, froim Bishop, Legate, and the Pope, every other era of clerical domination. The every attempt to override our lamws, and to " CONvoCATION," an assembly of the established establish on the soil of Freedom, the temporal clergy, even after the Revolution of 1688, claimed supremacy of a priesthood. to be independent of Parliament, and dictated Sir, the Muse of History, has rarely trans- to it a policy destructive of all toleration, savo scribed to her records, an.-act of heroism, sur- for the doctrines of the Establishment. Great passing that which was enacted at the church of as is the debt of gratitude due from the ChrisSt. Louis, in Buffalo, on the 10th of September tian world to WILLIAM or OORANGE, for no one 1854, when, after years of painful controversy act of that great statesman, and true friend of with the highest authorities of the Papal Church, civil liberty, is it more indebted, than for his its congregation met its Bishop, to decide upon final prorogation of that body. his ultimatum. That ultimatum was, that the The Corporation, and Test acts, which so long.congregation should elect trustees, to be selected disgraced the Statutes of England, and the.by himself. In other words, he would allow the acts relating to Catholic disabilities, always found congregation to be the throne, but he was to be defenders in the established clergy. When Fox the power behind it! How did they meet this and Burke led the attacks in the British Parliaultimatum? As martyrs, refusing to yield the ment against these oppressive statutes, mitred tithe of a hair from their original position. And Bishops entered the lists to oppose them, as if there stands to-day, a proud monument of the religion could not exist out of the Church. devotion of that people to a true citizenship, Episcopacy may fail, but religion exist," was that magnificent edifice, as for five years it has the noble reply of Burke, and to a Protestant been, under the curse of the Bishop. There, laity, is England indebted for the great triumph still floats over its tower, the black flag, symbo- of religious liberty, secured by the repeal of lical of the darkness which envelopes Ihe altar those acts. Clergymen, naturally feel that they over which it waves, bearing the significant have charge of the most important of all pcssiin-scription,." Where is our Shepherd?" That ble interests, the souls of men. Confident of Church is the political Thermopyle of the age. the truth of their cwn dogmas, and looking Sir, these Catholic citizens of Buffalo, to-day upon schism and dissent as fatal heresy, they appeal to the State through their representative, are easily led to the belief, that it is their highest for protection in this, their fidelity. Urged to duty to bring all the enginery of the Church violate their oaths of allegiance to your laws, and the State, to crush out the first appearance they have kept them inviolate. On which side, of a revolt from their Church formulas and again I ask, shall the State be found-will it be Church economies. If it be said, that this arguwith that power which exalts its head above the ment holds good only with the clergy of an State, which makes obedience to you the signal established Church, I answer it is because an for excommunication, and the fatal interdict! Establishment can invoke the aid of the civil Aside from the question of justice, has the State power to compel conformity, and embarrass disno dignity to maintain? Were the question never senters. The same element of intolerance, allow so insignificant, it would be its duty to vindicate it development, exists in the bosom of every its authority, and to hedge up by legislation, spiritual teacher. against its indirect violation. But, I answer further, that in permitting a When it ceases to be sovereign, it sinks into powerful Church to obtain the control, contemcontempt. No free State should tolerate, nor plated by this ordinance, which, where it may, can it long survive, an imperium in imperio, invokes the civil arm to crush out all dissent which lives defiant of the civil power. from its faith, we cherish one of the most danI propose, Sir, to submit a few considerations, gerous evils of an Establishment. why we should not second the policy of the An Establishment, is a constituent element of Baltimore ordinance. To say nothing here of the State, and aids in the formation of its laws, the political antagonisms of the Romish policy and gives tone, and shape, to its policy. So far to our institutions, I would remark, that no as it can bring the co-ordinate branches of the clergy, of any denomination, or faith, should be government to adopt its views, so far, it is felt vested with the power contemplated by that as a power, for weal or for woe. The danger to ordinance. liberty, and the injustice to non-conformists, I yield to no man in a due respect for the spiri- and to dissenters, consists in the power to control, tual office, but there is to be found in its very and it is only dangerous as it possesses that nature, a reason, why it should not be associated power. But here, Sir, in the bosom of this free with temporal power. It was the result both State, we find a Hierarchy, havingno sympathies )f his observation, and his historical research, with our institutions, but in direct antagonism which led Lord CLARENDON to say, that " of all to the principles on which they rest, admitting mankind none were so ill fitted for the manage- no supreme fealty to the civil power, but acting ment of affairs, as the clergy." Whenever under the impulsive energy of its Italian centre invested with civil power, or with those elements and head, not as a co-ordinate part of the govof control outside of their influence as spiritual ernment, but exalting itself above the State, guides, which operate upon the consciences and and regulating its millions of Church property, pockets of men, they have as a class been utterly defiant cf our policy, and our laws. It the enemies of toleration, and when forming a stands before us naked of apology, and can part of the civil power of the State, the defend- plead nothing, but the sic volo, of an usurped ers of its abuses, and of its efforts to crush prerogative. 7 To favor the despotic control over the consci- and all, under the absolute control ol perhaps cnces of vast masses of our citizens, and conse- fifty Bishops, and they, acknowledging allegiance quently over their action, which the Baltimore to a foreign and absolute Potentate! Continue policy would concentrate in a score or two of this policy for fifty years, when the Catholic poBishops throughout the United States, leads to pulation shall be twenty-five millions, and the many of the evils of a union of Church and property of the fifty Bishops, almost beyond State. Our government seeks the disintegra- computation, and I venture to say, that the tion of this powver. The theory of the Catholic Church, represented in its ecclesiastics, will be Church is, that it must be a unit, a unit in doc- stronger than the government, and will dictate trine, a unit in practice. The Catholic priest, the terms of its existence'! The crushing weight under the most liberal of systems, has a vast of such a power can be lifted only by the strong influence over his charge, by virtue of his office. hand of Revolution. All the statutes of MortSuperadded to this, when he is invested with the main, which English Parliaments could devise, power which the absolute proprietorship of all did not save the necessity of the confiscation of sacred places, can give him, when the altar the estates of the Catholic Clergy, to save the belongs to the priest, when the Church and the ascendency of the Crown. France affords another Cathedrald are his, where the Catholic hopes to illustration, It was a corrupt priesthood, enrichNvorship while living, when the Cemetery is his, ed at the expense of labor, which bolstering up securing to him the keys of the consecrated the Bourbon throne, with it, as an ally, ground grave, when the Hospital is his, admission to the million masses topowder. Church exactions whose charities is upon the terms he shall die- and State oppressions, were the wrongs, which tate, when the Catholic Colleges, and other exorcised from the deeps of popular rage, the Seminaries of learning, are his, when the tens Genius of Revolution, which swept, as with iron of millions of property, the donations of the hail, every vestige of regal, and ecclesiastical Faithful, are all, the absolute proprietorship of rule from the land. The Triumvirate rode the the priest, have you not the elements of a whirlwind, and for a time, guided the storm, " power in the State," whose harmlessness, rests but they did not create them. They were the only in its forbearance? Is it said that this natural offspring of abuses in Church and in power will not be exosrcised? That if tempted State. by some future Cataline to conspire against the Mexico, is to-day a living illustration of the liberties of the people, it will spurn the offer? tendency of Church accumulations, when unresIs this the lesson of history? So judged not trained by law. It is almost literally, the proour fathers who framed the first State Constitu- prietorship of the Catholic Church. And there, tion, and who declared in letters which should the heavings of one revolution have hardly subbe graven upon the American heart, as with " a sided, before we feel the convulsive throes of pen of iron," that in founding the basis of free another. New York is not without her experiEmpire, they " were" required to guard against ence of the evils of large landed estates, acquired "'that spiritual oppression, and intolerance, before the Revolution. The original crown wherewith the bigotry and ambition of weak and' grants to Trinity Church, and which, if-vested wicked priests, have scourged mnankind." Dis- rights cannot be disturbed; are constant objects trust of power, is written all over our Constitu- of jealousy and distrust. Even now the question and our laws. The elements of power most tion of submitting their titles to judicial scruprovoking this distrust, were the spiritual, and tiny is urged to the legislature as a great meathe money power. The one was paralized, so sure of public policy. far as was necessary to render it harmless, by The accomplished Attorney General (OGDEN establishing the freest license of religious senti- HOFFMAN) whom I now see before me-is already ment, the right of dissent from any or all instructed to bring them before the judicial dogmas, the right of revolt from all Church tribunals. economies, leaving responsibility for his faith, The large landed estates in some of our to the conscience of the citizen and to his God. Eastern counties, have in late years led to revoEvery new sect diminished this power, and thus lutionary excesses alike reproachful and perilous. schism, became an element of political security. So much opposed are they to the spirit of our Thus were drawn the teeth of the spiritual power. institutions, that their proprietors have felt comThe money power was rendered harmless by our pelled to compromise their legal rights, and to statute of distributions and of inheritance, by take steps looking to an entire surrender, upon prohibiting the entailing of estates, by prevent- considerations agreed upon by parties interested, ing accumulations in Corporations, by the pro- of their feudal tenures and policy. Our last cess of distribution of that power rather than State Constitution, has carefully guarded against of its concentration. Our statute in relation to the possibility of the introduction into the State, Religious Corporations, is one of the most mark- of this system of tenantry. ed and happy illustrations of this principle, There is another reason of State, why the where every member of each separate congrega- control ofChurch propertysshould be in the laity. tion, who contributes to the support of worship, Our government is anomalous. It depends has a voice inthe control of the Church property, for its security, upon the development of the and a recognized proprietorship therein. higher elements of'the individual man. It places The Baltimore ordinance is the antagonism of upon him, the responsibility of rule. If he be all this. It abhors the policy of disintegration, the slave of a priesthood, the first political alleand seeks the absolute control over the laity, by giance of his heart, whether he be a native or the concentration of the spiritual an; temporal an adopted citizen, will be elsewhere than to the power, in the priesthood. Two millions of Ca- government which protects him. If he surrentholic communicants in the United States, and der a portion of his franchise to his spiritual probably thirty millions of consecrated property, teacher, he will soon be prepared to surrender 8 all his judgment, all his political individuality, of the clergy, who may be vested with the power to the same ambition. I have deprecated. But there is another view The consciousness of that independence of of this subject to be taken, which looks to the spiritual control, which proprietorship in sacred peculiar danger to our Institutions, which will places creates, is one of the processes of deve. grow from the union of the spiritual and tempolopment of individual manhood, which the State ral power, in the Catholic Priesthood. And cannot afford to surrender. Property is power. that I may not be misunderstood, I wish here to The State has a positive interest in retaining that say, that all I have said, or may say hereafter, element of influence in hands, where its posses- in relation to the Catholic policy, and the danger sion will lead to attachment and fealty to its involved in it, is confined entirely to the politics government. The people should trace their right of that Church, and not to its mere doctrines of to worship in consecrated places, built by their religious faith. With them I have nothing to own sacrifices, to the government, whiich ould do. I have no controversy with a man who worby its beneficence win the affictions of its citi- ships saints, and believes in the' real presence." zens, and not to an ecclesiastic, whlo will make I have no doubt there is a road to Heaven blind submission to his authority, tie terms of through the Catholic Church. I may think spiritual consolation, and of ad/mission to con- much or little, of a Congress of Bishops from the secrated ground. ends of the world, who shall meet in the Seven There is another consideration, why the clergy Hilled City, and sit for days at the feet of the should not step out of their sphere as spiritual Papal See, resolving the " immaculate concepteachers, affecting themselves. The purity of tion of the Virgin." It may not accord with the clergy depends upon their separation fron: my views, of what themes should in the middle the secularizing tendencies of politics and pow- of the nineteenth century, occupy so wise a body, or. There can be no just respect for that but certainly it is a harmless discussion. and may office, when associated with secular affairs. be, a harmless fath. I have to do with a policy, They are not above the reach of temptation. other than mere dogmas of this character. Their preservation from demoralization, depends A law which shall prohibit the accumulation upon their seclusion fromn the lpiths of anmbition. of property in the hands of the Catholic Bishops, We are not without examples which should ever I deem vitally necessary as a measure of safety be as a waving sword bletween them. and the to our political Institutions. avenues to, temporal power. "I have chosen We cannot neglect to impose these legislative you, twelve," said the Savior of the world, restraints, and take care that the State suffer no' and one of you, is a devil.'"-M- limoN, detriment. A popular government may still be The least erect ed Srpit, thal t fell an experiment, and time, under the happiest inFrom Heaven- fluences that human wisdom can devise, may was the sediucer of JUDA-S. prove their fatal tendency to decay, and dissoluThe thirty pieces of silver, have paved the tion. But we, sir, as a people, are committed to road to infamy, for many of the successors, of this experiment. All our character as a nation, the betrayer of his Lord. all our pride in past achievement, all our confiThe Romish Church, is not without its dis- dence in present security, all our hopes of future tinguished exarmples of spiritual death, through glory, are concentrated in the hopeful capacity the ihnfuence of a grasping ambition.-XVOLSEY, -0of intelligent man, for self-government. We are bound to give this experiment a fair trial, to That once trod the wayi orf glory, I sThatlonced a the le aiid shobts of honor, protect it in all constitutional ways, against every influence adverse to its success. The political on the exposure of his schemes to compass the theory of the Catholic Hierarchy is in direct anpower of the throne, and " gain the Popedom," tagonism to the republican principle. Its theory uttered to his faithful Cromwell, a sentiment is, that the individual man, is absorbed in the which the poet has invested with the charm of Catholic religion.st, and the religionist, in the his genius, but without the slightest addition to Head of the Church. The first allegiance of the its truth, or its power. true Catholic, according to the theory, is to the Cromwell, I chlarge thee, fling away ambition, Papal power, his allegiance to human governBy that sin fell the angels. How cat maln ihen, imcnts, entirely subordinate. This doctrine is as The inage of hi Maker, hope to wii by it? boldly avowed in this country, as it is in Rome. What wonder, that this poor Cardinal, who One of the most carefully written papers of Mr. was glad to, beg a little earth for charity, that he Brownson, in his Catholic Review, a gentleman might lay down his weary bones and die, should of high endowments, and who has recently in an exclaim in view of his fall, appointment to a Professorship in a Catholic 0 Cromwell, Cromwell, University, received the highest evidence of CaHad I but served my God, with half the zeal tholic confidence, in speaking of this doctrine of I served my Kinlt, Ic would not in mine age, allegiance, employed this language: Have left me, taked, to mine enemies. "If the'Church should direct the Catholic It is the history of the Church in every age, that citizens of this American Republic to abolish the its purest examples, and most eminent piety, Constitution, the liberty, and the very existence were among those who literally, went "'about of their country, as a sovereign state, and transtheir master's business," entirely separate from fer it to the crown of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the objects of ordinary ambition. they are bound, by a Divine ordinance, to obey. The general argument I have pressed would "We are not aware of a single Catholic sovehold good, in relation to any body of ecclesias. reign in modern history, that has regarded relitics; the evils of the policy of placing this power gion in any other light' than as a branch of the in a priesthood, are incident to the system, what- police, although several of them have been perever may be the spiritual character, or relations sonally pious. As princes, they have asserted 9 the total separation of the two orders, and in a power that assumes to be superior to the their public and official conduct, have looked State? upon the Church merely as the auxiliary of the Whatever of influence the Clergy can retain government, and religion as subordinated to the through their office as teachers, while acting in interests ofthe State. It is to this fact, that we conformity with our systems of polity, which must attribute the frightful scandals of Catholic are themselves adapted for general safetyis well. Europe, for the last two centuries. The revolt But it is madness in theState, to permit a policy, and opposition of the Protestant nations Of Eu- the antagonism of its own, to obtain, and which rope, in the sixteenth century, and the wars tends to weaken the tie of citizenship, while it which followed for over a hundred years, ena- builds up an overshadowing power of money and bled the Catholic sovereigns to assert their inde- influence, all of which, is under the control of pendence, in temporals, of the spiritual power, the most absolute Potentate on the earth. to suppress the estates and to establish their ab- Why was this ordinance of Baltimore enacted, solute power. tranferring the consecrated property of two milThis principle and its most natural illustration, lions of American citizens, to a half hundred are tound in a recent number of the Civila Ca- foreign priests? Why was this policy adopted tallica, published at Romie, and the immediate for free America, which can exist no where, organ of the Pope. That paper, of date 5th except with the most absolute governments of Aulgust, 1854, submits the following to the world: Europe? Sir, it was a stroke of policy worthy That excommunication by the Church, has, as of the conception of a HILDEBRAND, far seeing, an_ unavoidable result,, the dissolution of the appreciative of the contagious character of our tie of subjection and of the oath of fidelity. institutions, andof their influence on the AmeI take the liberty of quoting the language of rican Catholic mind. No wonder, it met the'the New York Tribune, commenting upon the approval of the Roman Pontiff. That policy, declaration, aind which well says: " According perhaps the confession is indiscreet, but I do not'to this, if a Pope should lay his ban upon the purpose any concealments in what I have to say, "government of the United States, Catholic was necessary, to retain the absolute ascendency " subjects of that government, would become of their priesthood, over the Catholic comr ipso facto, absolved from all fidelity thereto." munion. Nothing short of this concentration This, Sir, is the theory, and in accordance of power and influence, could retain in blind with it, is all their discipline, even their oaths of subservience, a generation of Catholics born oflice, pledge to this policy all their spiritual under our government. He would be comparateachers. tively a wise man, who should hope to press Now what is the position of affairs in this down with the palm of his hand the heavings of country. We have two million Catholics, minis- the Volcano, or by a word to appease the Spirit tered to by hundreds of priests. Who are these of the storm, as it rides forth on the blast, to Catholics? The great mass of them are foreign- him who' should hope for the birth and educaers, many of them from the most absolute tion under our republican system, of a generation governments, governments in which the Catholic of men, of a foreign parentage, who would bear religion is the religion of the State, where the the yoke of priestly rule as tamely as did their political education of the church, has been, that fathers. There is contagion in the spirit of libblind submission to the spiritual and the political erty. Undoubtedly that "abuse," spoken of power, is the dutv of the true Catholic. Through in the Baltimore ordinance, which consists in a this mututal support of the Hierarchy by the claim on the part of the laity to be represented governmelnt, and of the government by the Hie- in the temporal power of the Church, and to rarchy, through its control over the Catholic seek its adaptation to our own general system of conscience, the absolute element in European rule, did exist, even as early as 1829. That it politics has been maintained. Revolution has fiow exists, to a degree which threatens to slumbered-the Church has administered the weaken the power of the clergy, over matters not narcotics. Who arc the spiritual teachers of legitimate to them, is evidenced between the our Catholic citizens? A native clergy? No laity and the priesthood, in almost every State sir, the native is the exception to the rule, of the Union. Not in the Church of Buffalo almost universal. The Catholic priesthood of alone, is found this spirit of protest against the this country are generally foreigners, educated absolute claims of the clergy. The Church of in the most absolute doctrines of Papal supre- St. Peters of Rochester, is in the same contromacy, who have no faith in human progress, versy, and other congregations, I understand, in who regard the doctrine of individual indepen- the city of Troy, in New York, in Cincinnati, dence, asheresy. From necessity, they are the in Louisville, in Detroit, indeed all over'the enemies of Republican Institutions. Why is country, either covertly, or openly, are to be this? Republican Institutions favor the right of found in the Catholic mind, the workings of the private judgment. They invite the individual republican leaven. I do not mean by this, that to break away from a blind submission to his any revolution is in progress, in relation to mere spiritual guide, and to repose his conscience in theologic questions. I believe there are none, the keeping of his God. They deny the supre- but the controversy is purely in relation to quesmacy of the Pope, and demand to the govern- tions of control, and of limitation of the.clerical ment, the first political allegiance of the citizen, power, to their office,:as spiritual teachers. Hence their whole policy, is to disintegrate that But the Church will answer me, that unless power, which the church is permitted to wield, the priest control the altar, there is danger of in despotisms. schism, and that it will invite their people to Should the State look with indifference upon protest, against Church dogmas, and Church this foreign control of this vast mass of mind, polity. I would reply, that this is the land of educated in this doctrine of blind obedience to dissent, that its institutions tolerate and invite 10 dissent, that they were founded by those who pathy with these sentiments, nor with the spirit were said by England's most philosophic states- of the age, which generates them. They as man, to have embraced a religion which was the stoutly deny the rights we claim for their people very " dissidence of dissent," and that its gov- as they did under the iron rule of the GRaGORrEs. ernment cannot employ itself in forging chains Upon every other system which has come in for the human mind, or fetters for the conscience. contact with modern civilization, more or less On' the contrary, it encourages research, it is impression has been made, modifying their sehopeful, not fearful, of schisms, growing out of vere features, and conforming them to the more enlightened inquiry, in all questions of policy or liberal policy of the age. But the Procrustean'faith. Its distrust is of the individual. Its bed of Catholic politics remains, unchanged. In confidence is in the species. In an earlier day, the crucible of the Centuries, its system of rule when were urged to Parliament the same reasons has undergone no transmutation. It took Anglo for forbiding the publication of dissenting opin- Saxon Protestantism, but about one century, to ions, MILTON, that work out its illiberality and intolerance. It did Great orb of song, not spring like Minerva from the head of Jupiuttered a sentiment worthy of him, and of his ter, a complete creation from its birth. In Old age, and which is expressive of the confidence England and in new, its origin was marked by of the spirit of American democracy. " lWhen the sentiment of a persecuting age, and blood " the cheerfulness of the people is so sprightly was found upon its garments. But it bore within'f up, that it has not only wherewith to guard itself the elements of its own purgation, and towell its own freedom and safety, but to spare, day, it stands before the world regenerated firom and to bestow upon the solidest and sublimest its intolerance, and full panoplied in all the elc"points of controversy, and new invention, it ments of a liberal civilization. It has a free betokens us not degenerated, nor drooping to a press, and open Bible, an universal education and "fatal decay, by casting off the old and wrinkled a tolerant government. It takes struggling huskin of corruption, to outlive these pangs, and manity by the hand, and leads it up to the " wax young again, entering the glorious ways of heights of personal character. It leaves man, " truth and prosperous virtue, destined to become not a blind worshipper at the outer door, but "great, and honorable in these latter ages." invites him to the inner shrine of great NaWas it not our country, upon which the pro- ture's Temple, and to be himself, as a priest, in phetic vision of his mind rested', in that sublime the service of Truth and of God. Such, is in rhapsody, when even his genius, was kindled the middle of the 19th century, that Genius of with unwonted fires. REVOLT against abuses of Church and of State, " Methinks I see in my mind, a noble, and named PROTESTANTISM. One more general view ":puissant nation, rousing herself like a strong of this subject. "man after sleep, and shaking her invincible Catholic States, consistent in their theory, that "locks. Methinks I see her as an eagle, mewing heresy is crime, and should be crushed out by " her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled penalties and by death, close the doors against "' eyes at the full mid-day beam, purging and all protest, and even banish to exile or to death " unsealing her long abused sight, at the foun- all who defy the omnipotent authority of the " tain itself, of heavenly radiance, while the Church. It is to be remembered that while " whole noise of timorous and flocking birds, Spain and Portugal, are Catholic countries, that "with those also that love the twilight, flutter ours is a Protestant country, and in its highest "about, amazed at what she means, and in their sense, a Protestant government. I know the "envious gabble, would prognosticate a year of State as such, recognizes no religion as peculiarsects and schisms." ly its own. But in its sympathy, in its tone, in No sir, the Catholic Hierarchy cannot ask our its spirit, and in its origin, it is Protestant. What government to aid in perpetuating its venerable constitutes a country? Surely not that alone'dogmas, of faith, or its hoary political abuses. which belongs to its physical, but that which The day has past in all governments, embodying )ertains to its moral, its social, its intellectual, in any considerable degree the popular element, its political character. It is found in its civil.which regards the plea of prescription in behalf zation, in its sentiments, in its heart-enthroned of ancient opinions, errors, or systems. The prejudices, which have themselves become prinage is a living demurrer to this defence. ciples, guiding stars of a people's thought, and Our government has but one reply to this cry the impelling power to a nation's action. Judged of alarm that in republicanising the system of by this standard, ours is a Protestant country, rule, over Church temporalities, we weaken the and a Protestant government. Protestantism for tie, between the priest and the people, and invite the most part formed its early settlement. Proto independency and dissent. testantism laid the basis of our State and NaBeing a government of dissent, and popular in tional Institutions. A Protestant laity, indepenallits theory, it cannot be moulded to meet dent in political action of priestly control, infused more absolute systems of rule. It admits the into all our policy, that liberal leaven which has transplantation to its soil of every exotic, spi- given the utmost freedom to religious opinion ritual or political, that can find it genial to its and worship, and enabled even the Catholic Hinature. Whether they are so, and can bear the erarchy, to grow so dominant in our midst. The transplantation, or whether they languish and Catholic clergy and their Italian head, have no'die, is of no interest to the Genius of American claim upon our comity, to sacrifice a national Democracy. Its office is spent. when it has taken policy to a trans-Atlantic system, the direct ancare that the State suffer no detriment, and that tagonism of our own. there spring up in its midst, no hostile element It is proper before concluding my remarks, to of power. analyze a little more particularly, the bill under I know the Catholic priesthood have no sym- consideration 11 The-first section seseeks to invalidate future darkest hour of the middle ages, when the conveyances to priests and bishops, in their offi- English throne scarce had a being save at the cial character. It would prevent the evils of pleasure of the Roman Pontiff, nearly one-half permitting ecclesiastics to become in fact, corpo- the real estate of the kingdom was absorbed in rations sole, with power to acquire lands in per- the Catholic Church. The Church was every petuity. thing, royalty but its shadow. The spirit of The second section, invalidates all future con- English liberty, whenever it incited revolt against veyance of lands consecrated or appropriated or abuses, attacked the grasping element of the Paintended so to be, to purposes of religious wor- pal Hierarchy, and it never felt that it had ship, unless made to a religious, corporation achieved a substantial victory which did not diorganized under our laws. This is to prevent minish that overshadowing power-and prevent the future acquisition of that class of property, its acquisition of real estate. So vital was this in the hands of individual priests. regarded, so essential to the liberty of the citizen, The third section, seeks to execute a moral that it was provided in magna charta itself, that trust, wherever such a trust exists, in the hands great bill of rights of Englishmen, that lands of individuals, by declaring that property, of the should not thereafter be given in mortmain to character named in the second section, shall be religious houses-that is, to remain forever fromn deemed to be held in trust for the benefit of the ordindry use and alienation. This statute was congregation using the same, and shall vest in evaded by the clergy through the system of leastheir corporations after the decease of the person ing lands, to prevent which, was passed the staholding the legal title. In this respect, it is an- tute of 1 Edward de viris religionis, (concerning alagous to our statute of Uses and Trusts, by priests,) which forfeited to the crown, lands turning a trust estate into a legal estate, and taken in nlortmain. The following is a copy of vesting the absolute title in the party having the this provision: equitable interest.' No person, religious or other whatsoever Section four, declares that the property shall body politic, ecclesiastical or lay, sole or aggreescheat to the State, on the decease of the party gate, shall buy or sell any lands or tenements, or holding the legal title, unless the congregation under the color of gift or lease, or by reason of should so far conform to our system and laws, as any title receive the same, or by any other craft to organize into a corporation. or engine, shall presume to appropriate to himSection five, recognizes this estate so vesting self, whereby such lands may in any wise come by escheat in the people, as a moral trust, and into mortmain, under pain of forfeiture of the provides for the conveyance of the property to same. And within the year after the alienation, the Trusteesofthe society, using the same, when- the next lord of the fee may enter. And if he ever the society shall organize into a corporation. do not, then the next immediate lord fiom time The whole object of these latter provisions, is to time to have half a year, and in default of all to compel bishops and priests, of whatever deno- the mesne lords entering, the king shall have the mination, Protestant if such there be, or Catho- lands so alienated forever, and shall enfeoffothers lie, to permit the incorporation of their Societies, by certain services." in order to pretect their titles. If they will not This was again evaded by false actions, and obey the laws of the land, will not conform to judgments obtained by collusion, whence titles its policy, they are without the pale of, and have called common recoveries, which was met by anono claim on its protection, in relation to this ther statute. in the same reign. The next device class of property. to evade the statute, was by conveying lands in I would, in passing, remark that even with the trust for the use of the clergy, to meet which, free consent of their congregations, the State Parliament passed an act of forfeiture in the ought not to permit so insecure a trust of so vast reign of Richard II., unless held by consent of possessions. The want of a subscribing witness the King. The compulsory feature of nearly all to a will,- or some other statute informality, not the English Acts of mortmain consists in the forto name the possibility of an intentional error, feiture of the lands to the Crown, which-were would transfer the entire consecrated property grasped by the clergy in violation of the policy, in the diocese in the Catholic connection, to the and law of the land. next of kin to the bishop. The remedy for so The last general English statute on this subgreat an outrage, would exist only in the free ject, passed in the reign of George II., as well will of those, in whom the laws of inheritance as the statute of 43 Elizabeth, specially desigshould vest the title. nates what grants and devises shall be lawful for This is not novel legislation. Both it, and its charitable uses, and invalidates every conveyance occasion, have their counterpart. Let us look and devise not authorized by those Acts. To for a moment into the iron visage of the Past, watch the clergy, has been the business of Parand see in it the reflex image of our Present. liaments, to save their lands, from mortmain, the The spirit of English liberty was ever jealous business of the people, for centuries past, well is of priestly prerogative. Having the sole control it, if it be not so, for centuries to ccme. over spiritualities, the Catholic clergy were in The great end to be attained by this bill, as I the middle ages, as now, active in securing the have argued at length, is to divest the clergyof same centralization in themselves, of temporal the power of control over Church temporalities. power. They understood the philosophy of hu- The only modification of this bill I have heard man nature well. enough to know, that the pos- suggested, authorizes the Bishop of the Diocese session of the physical wealth of the State, would to appoint three trustees, should the congregagreatly facilitate their attainment of all other tion decline to avail themselves of their legal desirable influence. Through this, the church privileges of incorporation. This would, in my could control the consciences of the people, and judgment, leave the evil-almost untouched; The the policy of Kings. Hence it was, that in the result would be, that that discipline which has 12 compelled so many congregations to surrender " Realms qualie by turns, proud arbitress of Grace, their charters, would be brought to bear upon Tle Church, by maldate shadowing forth the poxo She arrogates o'er Heaven's eternal door, them, to compel them to waive their rights under Closes tie gates of every sacred place. the bill, and allow the Bishop to select his own Straight from the Sun and tainted air's embrace, trustees. This was the very point which Bishop All sacred things are covered, cheerful morn Grows sad as night, no seemly garb is worn, Tinion was at last prepared to yield to the Nor s a the allowed to meetly is Churc'h of St. Louis. Of course the Bishop Wilth natuialsmile of greeting. Bells are dumb, would in every instance, select the most facile Ditches are graves, funeral rites delnied, instruments, who would be invested with a nomi- And in tle clhuch ard hle Iust take his bride, Who dares be wedded. Fral:cies thickly come nal authority, but leaving'the control still abso- Ilto the petlsive heart, ill-fortifiedt' lute in himself. To resist his will, would require And comobrtless despairs the soul benumb." as much fortitude then, as now, and how few congregations, but would endure almost any pri- I cannot resist the impulse to read one addi vatiton, rather than suffer as all resisting Catholic tional paragraph from the same letter, expressinu congregations have suffered. I take the liberty the sentiment of a vast body, of intelligent Ca'of reading an extract from a letter addressed to tholics throughout tle land. lie says: me by an eminent Catholic, and a trustee of the'" It is highly time that the Legislature shoul{ C3hurch of St. Louis, in Buffalo, bearing witness " east an eye of commisseration and protcctiol to tlhese persecutions. He says: upon us by the adoption of a law, putting l' Itn the United States of late years, the Arch stop to the encroachments of the Bishops amt' Bishops, and Bishops setting their will above' Catholic clergy in general, specifying that:al' the laws, met in a synod at Baltinore, and' Church property should only b — possessed bj': adopted a decree, by which no Church was to " their right owners, the people who have pai. " be consecrated, if not previously deeded to " for then.'" I will only add, that tlis is bu' the Arch-Bishop or Bishop in whose'Diocese it one of many similar expressions I have receive( wtas situated! Not satisfied with that awful from the Catholic laity of different congregationt ".step, they declared an unrelenting war against in the State. And has it come to thlis, that th( " all the incorporated Catholic congregations, Catholic laity of our State, implore its Legisla "and by incessant demands, threats, all kinds ture to " commnisserate and protect " them fron of religious deprivations,'and lastly by excom- ecclesiastical outrage? Will New York refius; mtaiication, succeeded in destroying those law- this protection? They have asked for bread < fll associations. will sie give them a stone? They have aslkc' In Buffalo, there is now but the St. Louis that she maintain the spirit of her own laws' Catholic Church which is incorporated, but to will she allow it to be borne down by the despo' what religious deprivation have they not been tic policy of a priesthood? i(.colndemned by their Bishop,for their resistance I said in the outset of my remarks, that thi'c to his will! Their priests taken away fiom bill struck at no universal practice of thi t their Church, the congregation deprived of re- Church.' ligious marriage, the sick of the holy sacra- In France, the temporal administration of thi s' ments, and their trustees excommunicated!! Church is in the council of Fabrique (Board of q Indeed, it is no wonder after so much suffering, Trustees) who are chosen by the muncipal coun:- that so many Catholic congregations should cil, the latter being elected by the people in th( * have submitted to their Bishops in annulling several communes. In part of the Gerana r their charters and deeding their Churches to States, Belgium and other parts of the coitinen i them.>" which have been under the French domination Says the Nuncio, Bedini, in his farewell letter the Catholic temporalities are administered ii to the Church of St. Louis, " The Bishop does the same manner, by laymen. The same exist'nnot' ask for himself the administration, he is in Switzerland.' ready to place it in the hands of members of In France, the clergy cannot accept donation.: your own congregation, but appointed by him." by will or otherwise for any benevolent establish In Ihis farewell letter to Bishop Timon, in ment, without the sanction of the government alluding to the " obstinacy" of the congregation, and then to be under the control of the civi he foreshadows the awful denunciations to which power. they have been subjected. " I consider them as Thus it will be seen, that the policy which ha not being Catholics at heart, and Rt. Rev. Sir, confiscated twenty-five millions of property, be should your episcopal ministry inspire you to longing to two millions of American citizens, ti declare so, in any way, in order that good a half hundred priests, whose first allegiance i Catholics may know who are their brethren and to the Papal See, is a policy especially reserves who are not, I leave it to your discretion, and to fo.r Republican America! This offshoot of Abso your holy inspirations." Somuch fortheformer lutism, which can flourish nowhere outside oi Governor of BOLOGNA, and his tender mercies, Spain and Portugal, where deceased Protestant alike tender to the brave Uoo BAssI, in whom are buried like dogs, if buried at all, where thi were rekindled the ancient patriotism and genius torch of persecution is ever lighted, has beei of Italy, and to the persecuted Church of St. transplanted, has grown, and flourished, on th Louis. soil of Freedom! This is the political parado: How do the horrors of the fatal " INTERDICT " of the age. It is deeply implanted, and alread; rush upon our minds as we read of this conflict begins to overshadow the State. But one ques between the people and the priest! tion is unsolved, will you now lay the legislativ Wordsworth's sonnet was written of another axe to the root of this UPAas, or will you leave age and country, but its application is not all to be uptorn at a future day, by the storm o Inappropriate to Republican America: RzivoLTlON?