- -. J
j - l
4 i
4 -
' 0'
H
between tho monarch anrl tin people, there was
little fxcca.ion to sut p-sc that any injustice had
been d-nc to tho Prince, or much like.ihuoj of
hearing complaints from the latter. The Fop
has struggled sometimes with sovereigns, bat nev
er with tins sovereignty, lie has cxceteised a
power vjluitaril placed ia Lis bands by Kings,
and invoked by tb.3 pe-;.lj; and ho h.v dethroned
th-3 rnonat-h. Hut mt anathematized" the sahject.
The Popes, in the fulfillment of wh.it the consent
ofrKings and" tho confidence cf the poop'e have
made a duty, have released subje-ts from the o;ith
cf allegiance to the sovereign, hat i;ever have
they ..released tnc sovereign from his coronation
oath to respect, guard, an. J rightly govern the
people." - ' -
Because I have neither tinia uor space for such
an inquiry, I d not pursue the subject ia det.ul.
I have taken the str onest case of t!:e excrrisc of
the power of deposing monarchs which is now
called the power of releasing subjects and 1 L;ia e
shown that tlia lpe did not rely upon the gen
eral spiritual power as hea I cf tnc Christian
Church f ir authority to depose the Emperor, but
that he rented on, and tuistain vl hy the CousLitu
tioa whih authorized the election of n Emperor,
and ni tie orthodoxy one condition of holding the
crown. And it would have hejn equally ea.y,
generally less difficulty, to Lava shown that every
instance of sjtch exercise of power by the Pope
was authorized by the admitted constitution or
aeknowloiged compact, provided that tiieclFcuees'
of the Prince had brought him withiu" the - opera
tion of the laws, which U admitted -to exist and
for tho execution of which all turned to the Pope.
; Now, as this kind ofsacnlir power ha I its
origin in the content of tho sovereigns, at a par
ticular tinia, an I ljng afc-.-r tlie aiost olij ago, it
follows t'tat not oidy could is not have carried
with it the jurr dlviiVK which belongs to the spiri
tual power of the Bishop of Ivjme, but that the
proof of the existence of the real spiritual power
would have been weaken by attempts to prove tho
right of deposing to lm devine. At taat time,
then at a time when men were the uiot willing
to yield assent to such species, of usurpation, as
released King at that time the uivina right was
not claimed, and tho whol j power of deposing res
ted upon the coiioeat, not nuireiy of Lao Kings,
but of the deposed Princes themselves. . '
' But it is charged that Roman Cutltolitas even
now admit the right of the Pope to interfere be
tween subjects antl their allegiance, and between
citizens and their datie s to the lie public, in sonio
other form, siuce the power to dc pose Kings is uj
longer possible. I deny it. I have denied it lor
myself, plaiuly, clai 1 y, specifically, But, in tliis
House, it is said that, tiiough I may e exeeoted
from the general censure of harboring the seeds
as.l means of treason to this government in my
breast, and warming theiu into germination by
devotion, but others are liable to tiie charge, and
especially the church, the R ua Catholic Cnurch
itself.'
liut the Roman Catholic Church is represented
by her Bishop, and tliereioie 1 turn to tae state
ment of th x having the means of knowing, and
the right to make known, the doctrines oft h.iC
church, an J ask the attention of the committee to
the fallowing remarks of tho liigU liev. ir. En
gland. "God never gave to St. ' Peter any temporal
power, any autiiority to depose King, any au
thority to interfere with po iLieal concc-rus. And
any rights which his successors might claim, for
any of tn we- purposus, must be derived from some
other source. A Koman Catholic has no furtiier
ctjnnection with t'.je Pope than that lie succeeds
St. Peter. Peti-r had none of tiiese right.-i a a
v ltom.tu Catholic, I know njthing of tticia in tho
Pope. lie is equally a Pope with, or without
them."
' - In the early ren t of my remarks, I took occa
sion t say wtjiit would be my eour.-e, if, bv anv
remarkable ('out rca'ly impossible) tuiit-umna-uf
circumstances, t4--'.army anl navy of the Pope
fchoull invade the Country.- Hear now how the
Bishop of Charleston sustain. my deehuation:
" Tne American Constitution leaves its citizens
in perfect freedom to have whom tliey pte.ise to
regulate their spiritual concerns. But if toe P.p-j
were to declaie war aga nst America, and any k.
man Cathlic, under, the pretext of spiritual obe
dience was to refuse to opjhjse ttiis temporal ag
gressor, he would 'deserve to bo punished for las
refusal, because lie owes to this country to main
tain its rights; and spiritual powir does not, aiid
cannot, destroy the claim which the Ooverujiient
has ui oa him. fir.ppose a clergymen of England
were convicted for some crime ior instatue, lr.
Dodd and lie was ordered for execurii'it : nfist
the law be inoperative because the criniitisl is a
clergyman? Think yrin that no (ie -could b
found in a lVuian Catholic cumtfy to stt.tea-.-e,
or to execute a senten e, uon a clergj'man who
was a criminal ? All history testi;it:s to the Cvn
trary. So, to, d.ies all hi.st. ry show that, upi.n
the same principle. Catholic Kings, and Princes,
and peers and pe iple. have di.ot.eycd improper
maivlates of the See of Home, and have levied and
carried oa war again; t Pojies, and still couthiu-d
members of the Church."
ilr. Chairman, I have thus shown that the
Church, in the middle age, did not claim for the
Pope the authority to exercise tcmpond power
over other sovereigns, by Divine riglit, even when
- the exercise of that authority seemed to so great
a blessing to the people that it would scarcely
s-jem wonderful if the jioopte should have hailed
ii as of Divine origin. A id I have shown that
the best writers of the CitL lie Church, v( later
days, and of the present century, have, in like
manner, denie 1 that it was part of a Catholic's be m
lief that the Pope possesses any power to depose
Kings, or rcl-'ase subjects, nr to violate faith with
those who r.r- or are n t of the Citli- lie Church.
Inow o3fer otl.cr proof that the Church sets up no
claim to such power. Ami, Injfore I do it, I may
be permitted tos-y that, in pursuit of ii.f :rmati';ii
with regard to the Catholic Church, it lias I en
my chaaco to ci inverse with every rank and degree
of her hierarchy P"j e, Cardinal, Nuncio. Arch
Lishop, IVisliop and Pritst, and 1 i e.er heard one
.of"them claim any such power, and 1 1 ever heard '
one of them sretk tiji- i: ti c subject who did not
disavow any Ih lief of its existence.
i The vexal question of g )vc;n::ig Irel'invt, and
of granting to the people of th'.tt kingdom a port j
of the rlghti tnj"ycvl by the subjects of Great Pri- i
tain, li ofiea led the Brtii Parliament to in- J
quire inti the charges ma.lc against R mwn Citli
olic,' with reference to the "averted right of the
Jlom.m Pontiff to interfere J witli the internal af
fairs of other governments. I
Three proixisitions were prcjiared on I sent to
the faculties of the principal Catholic universities
in France an 1 Spain; tlxj.-e of the university of
Taris, rif 1). may, of Louvai.s, of Acala, of Salaman
ca, and of Valadolid. I give the proposition and
abstracts of the several answers.
Extracts frSSi tl c declarations an 1 testimonies
cf six of the principal universities of Eunqie, on
. the three fallowing propositions, subrnitie I to them
at the rofueil of ilr. Pitt, by the Cath,lics of Lon
don, in 1780 :
TUB raOFfrT!ONS.
1. Has the Pope, or CirluiaU, or any lody of
men, or any in livid &d of the C.iurchf K uv
any cfvil autnontv, power. juns lietK n. or pr - i
.eiuiftencc whatever, within the realm of EogT ;iv!' 't
2. Can the Poiie, or Ciriliiial. orrny IkmIj- .,f :
men. or any individual of tl e Church of II m.. j
absolve ordispon.e with his Majesty's suh t j
from their oth of.all-ginnce, upon aiV pretext j
whatviever7 '
3. I thoro any principle in the tcnf (i f t1, c
, Catholic fajih by "which Cttholics are juMithd iu
. not keeping faith with heresies, or o?h-r pprv.rw
diff ring from them in re''g:ons opinions. ;rr any
tranaction, either of a public or a private hatur--?
. These prfJpositM ns, honorable gentlemen wilF
j-erceive, are skilfully drawn, and ron-r tlir? whole
ground of disjnite; and tlie answer of every Uni
versity addiescel. i spread at largo before the
world. Solemn deliberation was had .xipon the
t Impositions, from so resj-eetalle a source as Mr.
I'itt, and all concur in (hlarin.that no man n!T
assembled, has power to interfere with the affairs j
of other kingdoms. 1 give the answers. i
r After n- introduction, -according to tbe.usnal
I forms, tho sacred facLby i f Divinity of Paris, an
swer t!.e farst query t.y :eelari;ig : '-, ;
Neither tho Piq , it it the Cardiiuils, nor arry
bxly of uicn., njr any other poison of the Church
of Home, hath any "civil authority, civil jiuwtr,
civil juriiilk tin, or civil jr.emii.euce whatsoever
in any hiiigdin ; an 1,4-onsi'. jiseni iy , nuno in the
kingdom of Lngl.iud Ly ic.iuu cr virtue of au
authority, power, jurisdiJt ion, i r pre-en.iii(.nce by
Divine institution iuhtrviit ht, j,'r, grai.tcd, of by
any other i:;eai.s lielongiug wiho Pope or the
Church tit' it'ane ThUdoitr'.n' the sacred facu'dy
uf Divinity of ParU I.a.5 s.l.v.tys held, and upon
every occ.vi.;n maintained, and upon every ccca
si;ni ims rigiilly jioicriLed tho contrary doctrine
i'r'iu l.cr scii.is. - .
. Ar'.sici r to Vie acamJ query. Neither the Pope,
n ir the C;rdiual,nor any bmy of men, nor ai:j'
person of the Church of lioire, can, by virtue of
the keys, absolve or release the subject- of the
King of England from their oath ofallegiar.ee.
This an I tho first-query are s intiniaUly con
i.e. ie 1, that tl a:i.-.".vcr of the first imn.eiialely
and ia:urally.ppl:ed to the te:ond, &c.
Atsiver iu the ihirJ query. There is no t not
in the Cathi li j Ciiurch by which Catholics are
jUotiiicd in Ji.it kt. ping faitlv- with heretics or those
who ihlfcr Jrom them ia ro itiers of religion. Tiic
ti n t, t::at it is lawful to break faith with here
tics, is so repugnant tj common honesty aud the
. -pinions of Catholics, that there is nothing of which
those who have defended the Catholic faith against
Protestants have complained more heavily, than
the malice and calumny of their adversaries in
imputing this tenet to them, &c. &c, &c.
Oiivea at Paris, in the general assembly of the
Sorbonue, hrdd on Thursday, the eleventh day bj
foie the calends of ilaich, 1
bigutftl in due fjrni. '
'. Ukivkusitv ov Docav, January 5, 1789.
At a meeting of the faculty of Divinity of the
University of Douay, &e., S:c.
To the lirst ana second queries the sacred facul
ty answers : Tnat u power whatsoever, in civil
or teniporid concerns, was giveu by tlie Almighty,
cither to tiiul'opc, the Cardinals, or to the Cuureh
liersib",1111', consequent ljr. that Kings aud sover
eigns are not, in temporal concerns, subject, by
the ordination of God, t. any ecclesiastical power
whatsoever; neither can their subjects, by aa' au
thority granted to the Poj e or the Church, from
above, be freed from their olcdience, or absolved
from ti.eir oiith of idlegiaucj. .
This is the doctrine'which the-Doctors and Pro
fessors of Divinity hulJ and Uach in our schools,
and this all the candidates for degrees in Divinity
maintain in their public theses, &c, kc.
To the tiiird question, the sacsed faculty an
swers : That there is no principle of the Catholic
faith, by which. Catholics axe justified in uot keep
ing faith with heretics, who dili'er trom them in
religious opinions. Oa tlie contrary, it is the
unaiiimoujt doctrine of Catholics, that the resjiect
due to tiie name of God so cube I to wituees, re
quires that the oath le inviolably .kept, to whom
soever it is pledged, whether Cotholic, heretic, or
inli kl-;, A'c, &c.
Signed s;n.l sealed in due form.
VNIVEhstTV OV LoWaTV.
The faculty of Divinity at Lmvain, having b:en
requested to give her opinion upon the questions
ahoe stated, does it with readiness but struck
with astonishment that such' questions should, at
the end of this eighteenth lentuiy, 1 e proposed to
any iearniil body, by inhabitants of a kingdom
that gloiie.i in tiie talents an 1 discernment of its
natives. The faculty being assembled for the above
purpose, it is agreed, with the unanimous asj-ent
of all voices, to answer the lirst and second queries
absolutely iu the negative.
. Tlie faculty ih es not think it incumbent upon
her iu this pi vce to enter upon the proofs of her
opinion, or to show how it is supported by passu
ges in the Ibily Scriptures, or the writings of an
tiquity. That has already be n done by Jtossuet;
De iiarca, the two Barclays, Gohlastus, !he Pith
a'liaus, Argeutre. i iringt ui, anl His Majesty,
King James the Mrst, in his dessorti.tion against
liellarmaie. aud Da Perron, and by many oth
ers, &c. ;
The faculty'theii proceeds t'. declare that the
sove;e'ga power i.f" the State is in no wise (not
even iudaejtly, a-i it is termed.) subject to, or de
pendent upon, any other power, thuiurh it be a
spiritual power, or even though it be instituted for
eternal salvation, &e. ' '
, Ti.at no man, - no- anj aembly of men, how
ever eminent in dignity and power, not even the
wi.!e b.nly of the Cttiiolic Church, though assem
bled in gener.d council, can, upon any ground or
pret.n e wiuitsoever, weaken the bond of union
between tl.e s tvereigu and the peojde: still !e.s
can they alis,lve or fite the subjects from their
oath of allegiance. '
Pim-eeding to the third question, the said fac
ulty of Divinity (ia perfect wonder that such a
question should be proposed to her) most piisi
ti vely and unequivocally answers: That tilt re is
nut an I there never has been, among the Ciithti
iics, or in the doctrine of the Cimrch of Koine any
law or principle which makes it lawful for Cath-
lies to break their faith wiih heretics, cr others
of a different persuasion from themselves, in mat
ters of religion, either in public or private con
cerns. The faculty declares the doctrines of the Cath
olics to be, that the divine and natural law, which
makes it a duty to keep faith and promises, is ihe
same, and is neither shaken nor diminished, if
those with whom the engagement is made, hold
erroneous .opinions in matters of religion, etc., &c.
Signed in due form, ou the 18th of November,
1738.
VXtVERSITT OF ALCAI.A.
.To the fir.it question it is answered : That none
of the persons mentioned in the proposed question,
either individually or collectively, in Council as
sembled, have any right in civil matters; but that
all civil power, jurisuiction, and pre-eminence,
are derived from inheritance, election, the cenisent
of ti e eople, and other such titles of that nature.!
To tho sewnd, it is answered in like manner :
That none of the persons above mentioned have
a power to alwolve the subjects of his Britannic
Jiivjesty from their oaths of allegiance.
; To tne-third question it is answered :" That the
doctrine which w ould exempt. Catholics from the
obligate n of keeping f;iith with heretics, rr with
any other jrstBi4 wlwt dissent from them in mat
ters of religion, instead of being an article of Ca
tholic futh, is entirely repugn rut .to its tenets. " '
r Signed in the usual Usrm, March 17, 1789. '
' - - UX1VEKS1TV OK SALAWANCA.
To the first question, it is answered: That nei
ther Pope nor' Cardinals, nor any assen bly nor in
dividual of tho U..holio Church, leave, "as such,
any civil authority, po'ver. jurisdu tion, or pre
eniinor.ee in the kingdom ot Ihifdand.
To the second, it is answereei : That neither
Pope uor Cirdinals. nor any assembly tr individ
ual if the Catholic Church, can, as such, alsolve
the subjects -f Groat Britain from their oaths of
ailcni.'.n e, or dispense with its oldignth ns. ....
To tiu thir ?, it is atuwrred:' Tiiat it is uoartiele
of Citholio faith. ii.t to keep faith witli heretics,
or with pers u of ani otlier description, who dis
t r-.t froin them in laat'.tr.j of religion.
S g ;; 1 in the issnal form, March 7, 1789.
rxivKusixv of VAf.tixn.in.
" T 't?T fir-.t 'nvsrion. it is answered : That nei
ther Po; e,- Cirihn ds, nor even a gi?nt ro! council,
hive r.ny civil a-nhority, p wer. jurisdiction, or
pr.'-enri'r:',!i'. dircMiy or indirectly, in the king
d :n of irvat Britain, or over nny other kingdom
or province ' in which they p(sea no tempcral
demiiuiop. .; . ; .
To the soc nd, i is answered: Tliat neither
Poe nor Cardinals, n r even a general ouncil.
can ' abs lve the subjects of Great Britain from
their oaths of allegiance or dispense with their
obi i-. tion. . . : -; -
.To the thifl, it in answered : That the obliga
tion of kerrintf faith is grounded on the law of
nature, wiclt i1! men equally, without r- i
pect to theic religious opinions; and with regard
to Catholics, it is fetal tuore cogent, as it is confir
mee! by the principles of their religion.'
Signed in the usual form, February 17, 1780.
Can any tlaug be more explicit than the respen
sts of those Ihuvtrsiries Ought they not to bo
satu-faitQjy ?. I, perhaps, ought to rest here. 'Lav
m ah, Priest, Bishop, tiurdinal, and faculty of Div
inity subtais my assertion, give a negative res-,
pouse to every qnery that involved an implication
upen the patriotism of Catholics, or an inadmissi
ble claim to intervention iu national policy by the
Catholic Church. - -. - ; - -
So entirely satisfied was tl.e British Parliament
with these aud similar rosy nM),,that the d.ii'e rent
eouecj.-ions made to JUottian Catholics by that body
are. mainly due to such testimony..''
" Arid, let it le remembered, that this was iw
Great Britain, iu a British Parliament, where the
members were of the established church, and also
that, without special jtcfniissron, no man in that
Emp.re had a right to worship Ga:l according to
tlie dictates of' his own conscience, and none, not
acknowledging iu tho monarch of England (mart
r woman, King or Queen), Nth temporal and
spiritual sovereignty, could hoht an office under
Government, or sit in the Parliament of the na
tion. - ,
We, llr. Chairman, are legislating fer a coun
try where even toleration may be deemed intoler
ant, where perfect equality of rights is the theory
of the Government, and where, until now, no one
has ventured to manifest a hostility to another's
creed, by denying to him tlie right of national of
fice, and of enjoying till the rights which full and
perfect citizenship confers. . .
But the honorable gentleman fom Massachu
setts seems to have provided himseTf against such
proof as I have adduced. He admits my fealty to
the country, but denies my adherence to the Ho
man Catholic Church. He admits that France and
Spain have disclaimed the doctrine rgiinst which
he speaks, and which he imputes to the Roman
Catholic Church. France and Spain, the titles of
whose mtnarchs are most Christian "and most
Catholic! The honorable gentleman surety can
not he ignorant thatsnch Universities great the
i.l gical colleges as those, are repositories of records
of fiith, an 1 of the arguments and decisions con
cerning them. But Jet us bear the honorable gen
tlciiiau : " ' '
' " Mr. Banks. I plant myself nr sn the ground
that the Pontiff 'of B. me has never, in any author
itative form, so disavowed the right to control the
members of the K anan Catholic Church in secular
matters. I 'know the universities of France "and
Spain have disilaimcd tlir.t power. The ciitle
uian says that his Cutholie friends have di.se-iiuu'.l
it to him. Sn my C itholio friends have disclaimed
it to me. But they have not the right to private
opinion, much less the right to determine the faith
of their church. That is the right of Protestants.
Tiie Roman Church has nerer disclaimed it."
I pass over the slur about private judgment; it
is undeserved, and might be retaliate I. The bou
rn as lo gentleman then, siisj eeth g that Laymen,
Priests anil Bishops, would declare that the Church
had no such articles of faith as he imputes, and
being informed uf the existence of thie responses
of the French and Spanish Universities, throws
himsdf upon tl e Pope. " I plant myself," says
he, eiti the ground that the.Fontiffcf Rome has
iie.ee, in any autLorit-'tive formsu disavowed the
riirht t control the members of the Roman Cath
olic Church in s.-cul.n- affairs." 'Very well. He
plants himself on what he calls a fact. Iitt us sie
how he is siisbiiiied. Let us pr nwl up from
I-nymauto rritst.fr'. 'in Priest to Bishop, and from
Bishop to Ar hhlshop, from Archhl..h..p to Uni
versities. Tiiese- are all against the honorable
irentleman, and, accepting 'the invitation or chalk-age
of the gentleman from Massachusetts let us
phnt ourselves upon the Pope himself, the Pope
an 1 bis conclave of Cardinal.
Mr. Chairman, the same circumstances which
induced that great staieman. M.r Pitf. to adlrcss
the six Catholic Univi-rsities, led the Roman Cath
olic Archbishops of .Ireland t address the Poe
himself ou the subjeit, and the answer was as
clear and explicit as those of the Universities.
Sti'.cinn deliberation was giveu in the ooHgrvgaticiii
of Cardinals, aud the resKnse was rrado in the
most formal manner, as declaring the dix-trlne o:
the Catholic Cimrch on ' the subject in vol veil in
t'u questi' ns. I copy from an authentic report:
."The Roman C.ith. lio Archbishops of Ireland,
at their meeting in Dublin, in 1701, ftdd-'essf-d a
letter to the Pope, wherein they descr: bed the mis
re(ireentatii ns that had been ie.ntly ptiTilished
of their consecration oath, and the great injury to
to the Caiholic b ,!y arising from them.
" Af.er due delil eration at Rome, the congrega
tion of Cardinals appointed to sunerintt-n 1 fh
ceclessiastical affairs of these kingdoms, retu r .,?d
an answer (of which the f ll iwing is an extrirt)
by the authority and command of his holiness:
"ilo.f Mu tinous and moat Rec trend Lords and
'. Bro'l.ers :
. " We perceive fiom your late letter, he great
uneasiness you labor uiitler since the publication
of a pamphlet entith-d The rresent S'a'.e of thr.
Church of Ireland, frem which our detractors
have taken occasion to renew the old cah-wyuy
against the Catholic religion with incwaoVacri
nmny ; namely : that this reliri'on is, by no -means,
eoinja!l!le tcith the safety rf Khiyii and R'puUics;
because as they say, tiie K-Jtuan Pontiff ttein-y the
father and master f all Calltolics, and inetslel
wttn swh great authority, tftat he can tree the sub
jects ff oilier kingdoms from their fidelity andoaths
j auojiancc to Kaigs ami rrlnces ; he has in his
power, they contend, to cause distuibances and
injure the 'public tranquility of kingdoms, with
ci'se. We wonder that you could be uneasy at
these complaints, especially after your most excel
lent brother and a;ostolieal fellow-laborer, the
Archbishop of Coshel, and other strenuous defen
ders of the rights of the Holy See, hail evidently
refuted and explained away these slanderous re
proaches in their celebrated writings. In this
controversy, a mot accurate discrimination should
be made between the genuine rights of the Apos
tolical See, and those that are imputed to it by
innovators of this age for tlie purpose of calumui
titing. The See of Rvtnt never taiiyhl that faith is
not to be kept tcit'i the heterodox ; that ail oa?h to
Kinys sejMraled from the Catholic communion,
tan be violated; tiiat it is latrftdfor the Rishoj) of
Rome to invade Uicir tcmpond rights and domin
ions. Wc, too, consider an attempt w design
against the life as a hoirid and detestable crime.
. ' " At 'lhe yery commencement of tlie yet infant
Church, blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, in
structing the faithful, exhorting them in these
words : Bi yet subject to every human creature for
God's sake whether it be to the King a exeellnig,
orfo Governors as sent by kirn for tite punishment
if evil doers, and fur the praise f the yol -for so
is the will tf God, that hy thing well ooh may -fence
the ignorance f finish men. Tiie Catholic
Cimrch being directed by these precepts, the most
reiaiwnc i champions of the Christian mime replied
to the Gentiles, when raging against them, as en
emies of the Empire, with furious hatred :we are
eonetandj praying (Tertullic-n in Apo!og-t, chap.
XXX.) ' that all Vie Emperors way enjoy long life,
quiet g ivernnicut, a loyal housewld, a Itrave arniy.
a futt'Jul beua'c, an honest jie'ple, an general
tranquility. The Bishops of Rome, successors of
.Peter, have uot ceased to inculcate this doctrine,
cs.jeially to missionaries, lest awy ill will should
be. excited again ts the professors of the Catholic
faith ia the minds of those who axe enemies of
the Christian name.' ' We pass over the illustrious
proofs of this fact, preserved in the records of an
cient Roman Pontiffs of which 'yourselves arc- not
ignorant.'. - ' '
We think proper, notwithstanding, to remind
you of a late admonition of the most wise Pope
Benedict XIV., who, in his regu'utioiis for the
English inhsi-us, which are likewise applicable to
you, spake thus: The Vicars Apostolic are' to
take di igent care that the missionaries behave on
all occasions a ith integrity and decorum, and
thus become good models to others ; and particu
larly that: they be always ready to celebrate the
sacred offices, to communicate proper, instructions
to tfee roph, and to comfort the sick with their
assistance; that the', by all means, avoid public
assemblies of idle men and taverns. u The
-Vicars themselves are prtftkularly chajged to pun
ish, iu such manner as they can, but severely, all
those who do not speak of the public governn.eut
with respect.
" England herself can witnesa thedcep-rooted
'impressions ; such adimuiitions have wade ou the
minds'' o.-Catholics. It is wlK. known that, in
the late war, fhich had extended to the greater
part of America, when most Nourishing provinces,
inhabited almost by jiersons separated from the
Cafliolu! chureh, had routnuiced the government
ot the King of Great Britain, the Province of Can
aila alone, tilled, as it is, almost with innumeia
Me Catholics, although artfully templed, and not
yet forgetful of t he French government remained
mest faithful in its allegiance- to England. - I)o
you, most excellent prelates,, converse frequently
ou these principles; often jremirnl your suiiragarrt.
prelates of them ; when preaching to your people;,
exhort them, again and again, to honor all men, to
lore the brotherhood, to fear Gixl, to honor ike King.
" Those dnties of a Christian are to be cherish
ed iu every Kingdom and State," but p-u'ticu-larly
iu your ow n, of Great Britian-and Ireland,
where, from the benevolence of a most wise King,
and other most excellent rulers of those King
doms, towards Catholics; no cruel and grievous
burden is imposed, and Catholics themselves ex
perience a mild and gentle governments. If you
pursue this line of conduct unanimously ; if you
act in the spirit of charity ; if, while you direct
the people of the Lord, you have nothing in view
but the salvation of soul, 'adversaries will lie
ashamed (we repeat it) ro calumniate, and will
freely acknowledge that the Cutholie faith isoi heav
enly descent, and calculated not only to procure a
blessed life, hut likewise, ' as St. AuVtine ol
serves.in his one hundred aivf thirty-eighth letter,
addressed to Marcellinns, to promote the most
lasting peace of this earthly city, inasmuch as it
is the safest prop and shield of king iom. Let
those who say (tl.e words are those of the holy
doctor) that the 'doctrine of Christ is hostile to the
republic, produce an army of such soldiers as the
doctrine of Christ -ha required ; jet them furnish
snch inhabitants of provinces, such husbands,
such wives, such parents, such children such mas
ters, such servants, such Kings; such judges, final
ly, such payers of debt ami colleelnrs of the rev
enue, ' as the doctrine of Christ enjoins, and they
may dare to assert that it is inimie-al to the repub
lie rather hf them ' not' h.ifate to act now? edge
that it is, when practised, of rreat ad van tare to
the rcpul lie. The. stoic holy doctor, ami all the
other fathers of the Chvnch, with one voice, most
clearly demonstrate, by invincible arguments,
that the whole of this pa'.utary doctrine cannot
exist with j ermenent consistency an-1 stability." or
flourish except in the Catholic society, w hich is
spread and preserved all over the world, by com
munion with' the See of Rome, as a sacred Wind
of union, ilivinly connecting both. From our
very high esteem and affection for yon, we earnest
ly wUh that the yreat God may very hrg pre
serve you safe. Farewell.
As your lordships most affectionate brother,
L. Cardinal Antoxei.lt, Prefect.
A. Archbishop of Adex, Sjcretary.
Rome, June 23, 1761."
While on the disavowal of the Pope 1 may as
well make an addition to assi.,t in the testimony.
The f. Rowing d-tcumciit was drawn up by the
Roman Catholic committee in Dublin, and pub
lished by them on the 17th of March, 17'.r2, after
it had 'been submitted to the Archbishops aud
Bishops of ircl tnd, and relieved their entire sanc
tion. To give it greater weight, the same instru
ment was put into the form of an oath, retainins".
as far as possible, the very words. It was then
submitted to the Poj e an 1 Cardimds, who sol
emnly declared that it was consonant to, and ex
pressive of, ti e Roman Catholic doctrine : and
then it was taken by the Catholic Archbishops,
Bishops, Priests, an I Laiety of Ireland ;
We, the Catholics of In 1 ind, in defirence to
the opinion of many respectirf.le bodies and indi
viduals among our Protestant brethcrn, do hereby,
in the fac e of our country, of all Europe, and be
f .re God make this, our deliberate and solemn
declaration!,
We abjure, disavow, nrd condemn the opin
ion, that Prince excommunicated by the Pope aud
council, er by any ecclesiastical authority what
seievcr, ' may. therefore, be deposed or murdered,
by their subjects, or by any other persons. We
hold such d.KCtriiies in detestation, as wicked on l
impious ; and we declare that we i!on.t bilieve
that either the Pope, w ith or without the ecclesi
astical power .whatsoever, can absolve the subjects
of this kingdom, or any of them, from their alle
giance to his Magesty King Gtorge 111. w ho is, by
authority of ITiiliaincnt, the lawful King of thi s
re; bn.
"We abjure, condemn and detest its unchris
tian end impious, the principla that it is lawful
to murder, or destroy, anywise injurs any j erson
whatsoever, tot or under the presence of lieing
heretics; and we declare so'emnly, 'before CJod,
that we believe no act in itself unjust, immoral or
wicked, can ever be justified or excused by or un
der the pretence or color that it was done either
for the good of the Church, or in obedience to any
ecclesiastical power whatsoever.
" We furtiier decluri that we hold it as unchris
tl n and impious principle, that ho faith is to be
kept with heretics. This doctrine we detest and
reprobate, not only as contrary to our religion,
but as destructive of morality, of society, autl
even of common honesty ; and it is our firm be
lief that an oath made to any person not cf the
Catholic religion, is equally binding as if it were
made to any Catholic whatsoever.
4 We have been charged with holding, as an
artkle of our belief, that the Pope, with or with
out a general council, or that certain ecclesiastical
powers, can acquit or absolve ns before God from
our oaths of allegiance, or even from the just
oaths on contracts entered into between man and
man. 1 . .
" No we utterly rer-tfence, abjure and deny
that we hold or maintain any such belief, as be
ing contrary to the peace and happiness of socie
ty, inconsistent with morality, and a!ove all, re
pugnant to the true spirit -of the Catholic reli
gion." -
Hcre,then, is another clear, explicit disavowal
on the part ot the l ope ana his Ciiriiinals ot t.'.Qj
doctrine imputed to the church, ami another full
and complete; resptnse to the challenge of the gen
tleman froni Massachusetts. s -
Mr. Chairman, the Roman Catholic church
neither holds nor incul ates a doctrine of pover in
its head to interfere ia tho aifairs of temporal
governments, to disturb the monarch, or release
the subject. It never has held any such doctrine.
It never has taught that its professors were to be
influenced by its doctrines to combine against the
-government, and Catholic citizens have bct-n as
faithful to the government under which they lived
as thrise of any other denomination of Christians.
In this country, Mr. Chairman, w here, by the na
ture of our institutions, no creed is allowed to be
molest eel, and where, by constitutional provisions,
no advantage can l e allowed tlie professors cf a
creed on account eif that profession, how nnjust is
1t to the public, hotf cruel to the confessors of a
creed, te create and keep alive an excitement
which invelves in obloquy a large class of citizens
invested with every right that any American citi
zen can claim, who are able, by their talents, char
acter, attainments and patriotism, to the honor to
the citizenship which they are not allowed to en
joy. I must not be told that " all the rights of
citizenship are opun to Cath lie's when office isde
.nied." The man who a-tscrts that, is ignorant of
the first impulse of republicanism ignorant, I
venture toay7 of the strongest motives of his own
action. ..'.-.
; Tlie right of suffrage is connected With the right
of office, arid the freeman's privilege of voting for
the man whom lie elect, wonll lie not worth the
exercise, if it did uot include the right ef presen
ting hints If for votes for an office whose functions
are Ix'yond his fecu! tics. ' ' "
. Form a class of citizen--, sir, in this country,
with any disability not imposed npon other, unci
you crvate a dangerous party in the Colnmon-
w talth. Inequality of political condition cau on
ly be maintained in a rcpub ic -anc-re there is ine
quality of mind, talents, and attainment. Allow
to any class in this country the rights of educa
tion, the attainment ol vvea.th. tlie ritnt it so
cial equality of suffrage, and it w ill not be long
lfore tnat class w ill demand the boon that free
men seek, and denied w ill lj unsafe. -
I t is mean, it is cowardly, as well as false, for
any man, or set of men to assert that, iu combi
ning to exeluele dl Caih lies from ofiioe, they do
no more than exercise the right not to vote for iu
itividuals, which " is as clear as the right to vote
lor theui.
bir, if the opposition scm nnd filt abroad, and
l.eaid here, in this hi.li, ineuns anything liiorc
than a miserable, bvggaily ajqeal to low prejudi
ces, witti a view of liol.iing -oliiee, it means that
Cittholics ought te be excluded frem all office ;
aud if they are, because th'-y are Catholics, ineli
gible to piace, thou thocc w ho assert it are bound
to change the Constitution or ojienly violate its
provisions. -Will that be done? Will they have
courage to do it. They must do it, to be consis
tent. 1 hey must forclear to be holiest a much
more difficult elh rt. '
Will that be done, and the question if the con
stitutional Tights settled ? or shall the Catholic
Christian hear himself insuhed, as he has been
more than once here, with the offensive hnputa-'
tion which 1 have endeavored ti refute? hhall
the heart of tho American Catholics lie wounded
with stale rumors rumors revived for party -action
uncredited tales to their dishonor, or hy
jKithctical charges t'f Coiiceale-d treason, which,
while it ventures ujton no sjecification, disturbs
the public mind, awakens dumlering prejudices,
sharpens religious animosities, aud givs occasion
for the mean, the ignorant, aud the vulgar ambi
tious to rise into power, by the combination of
their own class with those who, failing in either
combinations hide their disgrace, and avengetheir
former h teat oy r.uch associations as make mi
norities dangerous to the re-jiublie.
Mr. Clsairrnan, one more word and I will close.
1 have fairly and fully met the accusation." made
by the honorable gentleman from Massachusetts,
against the church of which I ant a member.
f-top after step he retreated, until he had planted
himself on the Bishof of Rome; and there he chal
lenged the citation ofariii-jle dhavows.l on tl.e
part of the Pontiff, that he claimed ton.p.ind
penver owr the subjwtst.f other governnien's
Step by step 1 have followed him, and ec ncluded
the arra- of !isa" vowels 1 y a presentation to this
connniitee ef an fxpiicii d- nial cn the part of
the I 'ope that any such "authority or right was
chiinie.i by the church or by him.
ilr. Chairman, to the warnings expressed hre,
and the nervoiw apprehensions exire.sse-il abroad,
that the prevalence of the (V.tln T.c leligi-m will
ba flang Tons to the country, I have nly to My,
that, we of this fount rf are in no daiiger l.ini
Oitholieifr, Epiwipaoy, C'sd vinlsm, LtttLeranism,
or other forms of Christianity. Sir, Christianity
in any form is letter than Ini'idt-lify arid Athe
ism. And Atheism is now at wek, as it ever
has been busy, against the Christian faith and
Cristian prohibitions. It assails the Roman Cath
olic first, because that ereeo is more extensive,
and without considering the evil w hieh each is do
ing to nPgic.n. Christian tlx n are yieldidg thom
selves. ui.consfi .uU, co-workers with infidelity
by their active hosiii.ty to each other.
Mr. Chairman, rf this country is o fall by aii-y
other means than ordinary tlet ay orh.KT.1 convul
sions, it is notJhri -tiaTiity, not the Cristi;nit3" of
Geneva, Rome, S-of inn.!, e.r Kng'-.m 1, that will
produce the ruin. Tl.e mischief will bj wrought
by infioelity. Happing first tl ecoi fideuce of the
jicople in each ot! e.-jUnderniinngtliP foundation
of Christian charity, I n-akirg the bonds of social
life, relaxing the tics of moral ol ligations, sctling
cre-.!s in h.stile attitude, till there is nothing
left for hostility. And bringing down the whole
scheme of domestic, -ux-nd, and pi liticMl !ire to
thj plans an; eadsof suwialiits and atheists, who
laugh at t! eec.i.-tonce i-1 a Gm1, and s. elc tl'.cir
triumps in the obliteration t i the d.ctri!;s and
teachings of Ch'rist.
Mr. Chairman, I have forborne to-day all ret.'.r
iatory iisiputations.nl! :rritat:!tgcmiparis.iis, and
confined myself to a refutttion of char- es made
r.gtinst nun of the IVnnin Catholic creed. I
have not sought this route- f, but, for ti e sake or
honor, of truth, of myself ami my oo-reicioni-ts,
fr the sake of the institutions an 1 the Constitu
tion ef my country. I cor.l 1 Ti"t deeline it. I
have evaded no j-int, n-r attorn ted to darken
counsel. I have met the charge fairly, candidly,
and truthfully. I have dealt in no tdre.'t rumorr?.
I have confii'e 1 in no iduh? g--:sip. 1 have addu
ctd no testimony not of my own knowledge or
fr"m those; who are ffuthorired to sjv-ak to the
question at issue, and with reference then to, with
my hand upon my heart, and my eye on Heaven.
I ca'I this House, and (I speak with reverence)
I call my Gxl to witness the truth cf idl the asser
tions made from my own con v iff ions acid knowl
edge, and my entire confidence in tlie creddi'lity
of all the testimony which 1 have adduced from
others.
PUBLIC SALE,
rfln HE subscriber, will oficr at public saloon
Wednesday tlie 14th day of February next,
bis farm situated in Stimmcrhill township. Cam
bria county. Pa., one mile East of Jefferson on the
road leading to Minister, within half a mile of the
Portage and Pennsylvania Railroads, an ! adjoin
ing lands t.f John Kean and others, containing'
thirty-five arres and eighty perches, the most ol
which is cleared and in a high stat of cuUivation.
There is a good orchard of excellent fruit on the
place. Tlie improvements are a good frame dwel
ling house and a rood barn, together will all ne
cessary out building. For particulars apply to
the subscriber on the premises.
An indisputable title will 1 given.
Sale to commence at 1 o'clock, P. M., when
terms will 1-e made known.
THOMAS BENNETT.
January 1 3, 'oo.-St.
Mrayed
ROM! tlie residence of the subscril-er in Alle
gheny township, about tlie 1st of November
last, nine sheep, four ef which were old ones and
had loth ears cropped ; the eitht r fi c were young,
and had a notch cut in the right ear. Any jx.rw.vu
giving ihformation where the sheep may lie found
shall bo liberally rewarded.
SIMON FAG AN.
January 18, '55.- St.
SIicrlflTs Sale.
BY virtue cf a writ of Vend Fxponus, issued
out of the Oitirt of Common Pleas of Cam
bria GH'.nfj-, and to me directed, there will he
exposed to public sale at the Court House, in Eb
enshurg. on Monday the oth day of February
next, the fi Rowing property, to w it :
" All the right title acid interest of Abraham AIs
hach, of. ia and to a pie -e or parcel of land situ
ate in Cmomatth township, Cambria Count-, ad
joining lands of Peter Iivcrgood, II. Gonghnour,
A. Ilihicrbrand and others on which is erected a
two storj' frame house, not now occupied, said
land containing forty-nine acres mote or less.
A. DUBBIN. Sheriff.
Sheriffs office, Ebensburg, Jan. 15, 18.'5.
- ivotlcfr.
rniO the Ile'irs nnl lgtl RepreBentatives of
Nich I ts Kollis, late of APeghany township,
CamiitLt county, dexease l.
. Take notice, th.at in iursttance of a writ of Par
tition, issued iiut of the Orphans' Court of Cam
bria county, to me directed, I will on the 26th
day of February next, proceed to hold an inquisi
tion Tipf n ihe premises cf the real estate of said
deceased, adjoining lands of Nicholas Thank, Bar
tholomew Trubas and others at which timo and
place you may attend if you tbirk proper.
. , A. DURBIN, Sheriff. ,
Sheriff's offife, Ebensbnrg. Jn. 19, 1 W.
M. U. MAfiKt.AN-. C. I. MCllKAr.
MAGESAW ft UTTER AY,
A T TO 1! X J-J V .S 1 T L A IT,
Ebtu.barg, fm. '
OFFICE No. 2, "Coioliuaeie IW'new tli
Court House.
. leci'Uibf r, 'Gl ly
10 BrJs Mai:kerel;
10 Rrls H-tring, al
1,000 lbs Cd Fish, just received anj
for sale at the cheap store of
EDWARD ROBERTS.
Auditors IVotlCc.
IN tl.e matter of the real estate of Frmcis BraJ-b-y,
fLevcad, 'n notion M. il.ssn aj
pointcd Auditor by the C-ttrt, tomarshalf tlte as
sets of elc;tased among the, creditors. In pursu
ance of the above appointment, the undersigned"
will sit at his oftiie in the b ongh of Ebensburg,
on Mondav. tlie 5th day of Fttruarv next, at ona
o'clock P. M. Ml IIASSOX.
January 4, 1855.
OrpliauM Coai t Sale.
BY virtue of an order of th i Orphans' Court of
Cambria count', icad to hs directed, thera
w iK be. exposed to public sal, on the 're?ii.ses, oa
Mi n lay, the 20th day of January, 1855, at ona
o'clock, P. M., the following desrriU-d real estate.
A certain pie-e-c of hind in Cambria township, con
taining ten acres, adjoining lands of William Pa
vis on the East, -Edward Shoemaker on the North,
ami the Clay Pike leadiu-j- from Elousbug to Ic
diatia on the Smth.
TERMS 0FS.LE: One third ofinc purchase
monoy tt be paid on confirmation of the sale, an 1
the residue in two t.pi-tj rvtih.-u payjtx rits, with
interest; to le -"ocurcd by the Ix nds and mortgage
of the purchaftr.
MARY' ANN LTTZINGF.R,
VvILLIAM L1TZINGFR.
Jan. 4, 1855 Administrators.
MrayC'alf.
(T1AME to tho rc-hlf-nee of the fubRcrihtT, in
M;i:t-f r, C.tndria owtstr, on the 2JtH cf
August hv;t, a rel and whito spo'.htd Bill CulT,
with a white ht art mark iu'lhe fore; i.o other
partictilar lo.irks. The owner is requested t
come forward, j rve r -.j-crty, pay char-cs, an!
take Lira smiv, i.tlierwise he v-iM be disjiosed ef
a.voi-.ling ti law. PAIL I IK STORM.
Jan. 4, 155. "t
elKtofoiU'I 'I alien Ity the AHUv.
"fJEIJSON.S v.isl.itit; to save money, can do so
JCL ly cii'Iinc; at the "Railroad htove Dej.ot,"-
no d.f.r We-st of thr- Union House. Hijrii sf.cct.
Ebensburg, Pa., where Shoves and Tiirtarc- will
be s old 20 percent, then per for CASH, than tuu
ul. I am lit t-.-rii:i!: 1 fa.) mJJ at fMtm .rice.
ALSO: A two hurst Sining Tag. a and IIsu"-IIarii'-
for sale.
N. B. This fippoilunrty is only given durltj
Janimry, Dearest frien ls, when thu yea gave,
I ) n .t for tinte ('"re-ht) crave;
But come idotijc don't 1. lav.
' For what jva fc'jy the mont-y pay.
J.AKF0KD.
January 4, 18;, 5.
Slirrlli-- ,s;ile.
fTP Y virtue e-f a wtit of Vend. Exponas, is.v-.u-. I
JLJ out of the Curt of O.innicn 1 ieas of C.tn
bria county, an i to me dircet.' l, there wiil be ex
posed to public silo on the premise, in tl.e t i;i
of ilunster, Cambria cocnty, on Frid.ty the '2C0.V
kits., at one o'clock, P. JL, tht fo'-lowii.".- pioperiy
to wit :
All the ri-ht, till.?, and int-rc.t of V. i'Swu
Diver, d.v'd. of -i r.u 1 to t .vj .,u .f !,t u!. !, C
uate in the to. n of JIuu: t-r. C.in.l rla cunty,
adjoining lands ef J Taney M'.-Goi:clo oct the wt-.t,
Thomas Porter on the cuvt. r.j I fr .niici; on !"
Hunting-Ion, Ca:v;: ria and Indiana Turnpike read.,
having H ereon erected a" t v.o story lg l.oiise -nl
log sial ic net now i tuj led.
Taken in t-xeculi..n und to be s-.ld at tho suii
of Pegy JIcG.inigle.
A. DURSIN. SLoriu:
January 4, 1'S.
SOriiS OP THMPERA SCEi
e--yy- Highland Divrsion, No. 81, Sons of Tem-'fHJper;iui-e
mwt at iUr IlaM 'every SATL'R
MaflGSl)AY evening, 2 d .ors below LI iirs Hotel.
HOUSEKEEPER'S DEPOT.
Wholesale am Rktail Tic;, Coi-pkii, Aa
Sijsii'T laos YVru; JiANLi'ACTOav,
Cun.l St net, JUi.tttoun, J'c::nt
rffIIANKFCL f r .wt faves-s, the subscriber
-M now chills tie attention of Lis friends and
"feiw - tie public generally to the large
,ei5- toek t.a han-1 which is ohi-red ig
C... .Vv- svt the old n-ice, n at withstand-
ing the great advauxc iukbjr and material. cither
at Wholesale e.r Retail. 1'. V. HAY.
COAL B L'CK ET.S, Shovels, l'oher. Tongs,
Hammered-iron Bread pans, Slieet-irou.
pans, Rat Trajis, Wash-boards. For sale low
by r. Y. 11 AY.
7 TINWARE of all kinds, Copper Kettles aud
Brass Kettles of all sizes, lor sale by
F. W. HAY.
E
NAMLLLD and Tinned Sauce Pans, Boilers,
Tea-kettles, urese-rvin-r kettles, etc.. from 2
jurats to 4 gallon.-, for s.-de low fr ca.vh, by
F. W. II AY.
TnTXCELSIOR, Ltrge Oven Etna, liamoud,
JLi Complete (Ajok, Aurora. Crescent, nd
North American Air-tight Cooking Skivcs, trim
med out complete and sold at bitv prices, by
"F. W. HAY.
ARLOll STOVES; among which are the
Star Franklin, Diadem, Radiator, Flora
Franklin, and Riom Stoves, from two dollars up
to twenty, by F. W. HAY.
SUGAR KETTLES. Iron Wash Kettles, l ng
lish Pots, Skillets, Bake Ovens, Tea ket:ki,
eve, so d by F. W. HAY.
COFFEE MILLS from 37 cent to Sl.SSi,
Mincing knives, 25 to 75 cts, Meat Tender
ers, Straw Outers. Gravy Strafners, Suar Skim
mers, English and Fimrh JUktiin; Hjx-ons, Skim
ming Ladle-, &c, for sale at ciuh prices by
. . F. W. II AY.
3 0(1 A POUNDS avsortinl Stovo-pipe for salo
.UUU wholesale or retail, by
9 F. W. HAY.
BRITANNIA Coffee-Potsi, Tea-Pots . Cream
Mugs. Ladles, Fltiid and Oil Lamjis, Ct-st-cus
5 bottlcs from fcO cents to 41. bO. For
side by . F. V. HAY."
G1 LASS LAMPS, Lamp Shades, G.unter Scal
T es, Spring Balances. J-Uy Cako Moulds,
Spring bottom L:tnteras, Sepiare-ltss L..nterns,
fi.r s;Ue low for cash by F. W. HAY.
SAD IRONS, Waffle Irons, Fenders, Brsa
Candlesticks, Snuffers, Trays, Brass Horns,
etc. For sale cheap by F. W. II AY.
CISTERN PUMPS, Well Pumps, from 4,C0
bi 12. for sale byv F. W. HAY.
SHEET ZINC, Brass, Iron, Wire, Pig Lead,
Rl.KckTin, Spelter, &c For alo low for
cash by F. W. HAY.
1 AA Bundles, Nos. 24 and 26 Sheet Iron for sale
JUJ at cash rates by P. W. HAT.
NE set of STOVE-PirE FORMFRS. oto
Iiea.ling Macliinc, one Shee-t-Iron F llcr,
Hand Swedges, &c, for sale by T. V.. HAY.
M
INERS' LA MrS, Globe Lanterns. Bet
Lnmptit, to V by .: f- HAT.
inr