p. 1 | Political Romanism by H. H. Fairall

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1872

Political Romanism.

By H. H. Fairall

It is conceded by a large proportion of our intelligent, patriotic citizens that Romanism, politically, is a dangerous element in our population. If it were a strictly religious system, its growth in this country would not excite alarm, because its errors and superstitions can never supplant the truths of Protestant Christianity. Indeed, prominent Romish periodicals and priests already complain that the children of Catholic parents are departing from the faith, and as comparatively few converts are made from the heretical churches, the prospect of mere numerical superiority in our land is not very encouraging. The preponderance of numbers, however, is not absolutely essential to secure political power. The Romanists conquer by policy. For centuries they have been celebrated for intrigue in the successful manipulation of public men. History reveals the fact that papal authority has controlled the thrones of Europe, and enacted the most astounding deeds of

crime, in order that its rule might be perpetuated. Believing that the civil power is subordinate to the ecclesiastical, this corrupt Church has always sought to govern the State, and has been remarkably successful. For wisdom in preparation and boldness in execution, the diplomacy of the Vatican cannot be surpassed.

The increasing numerical strength of Romanism in this country gives it the balance of power at the ballot-box, and enables it to dictate terms to political parties. It votes as a unit and marches in solid columns. Hence our politicians are anxious to secure its support, and will present inducements of the most flattering character to the priests. After these negotiations at headquarters, resulting in the transfer of the votes to the favored party, the designing priests demand, as a compensation, special legislation for the benefit of their Church. In return for their valuable services in New York, they have received from the public treasury thousands of dollars to build up their sectarian institutions.

Our politicians are so completely under the control of this foreign Jesuit element, that they fear to offend it. Several weeks ago, Senator Stewart, of Nevada, offered the following amendment to the Constitution of the United States: “Sec. 1. There shall be maintained in each State or Territory a system of free common schools, but neither the United States, State, Territory, or municipal corporation, shall aid in the support of any school wherein the peculiar tenets of any denomination shall be taught. Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” It is a significant fact that the politicians and papers of a certain class ridiculed and denounced this proposition.

The Romanists are not satisfied with these enormous appropriations of public funds for the benefit of their institutions, but after receiving the money of Protestant taxpayers, they now demand the exclusion of the Bible from our free schools. Of course, these unscrupulous politicians are ready to support the claims of their persecuted fellow-citizens, and talk eloquently about religious liberty. And yet these same demagogues who desire to exclude the Bible from the schools, because it is, in their opinion, a sectarian book, favored the appropriation of public money to sectarian institutions because they were Roman Catholic. It may be that “circumstances alter cases,” but in this case they do not hide inconsistency and treachery.

The boldest step of the Jesuits is their opposition to our public-school system; but can they expect the sympathy of any politician in this crusade against our educational interests? We would think not, and yet facts must testify. As far back as 1839, Governor Seward, of New York, in his annual message to the Legislature, favored the division of the school fund to accommodate our fellow-citizens of foreign birth. He said: “We must secure to them, as largely as we ourselves enjoy, the immunities of religious worship. And we should act no less wisely for ourselves than generously toward them, by establishing schools in which their children shall enjoy advantages of education equal to our own, with free toleration of their peculiar creeds and instructions.” In his message of 1840, the same recommendation was urged: “The children of foreigners are too often deprived of the advantages of our system of public education in consequence of prejudices arising from difference of language or religion. I do not hesitate, therefore, to recommend the establishment of schools in which they may be instructed by teachers speaking the same language and professing the same faith.”

When the above official suggestions were made by Mr. Seward, both political parties eagerly sought the Roman Catholic vote, especially in New York, where it was a power. Politicians would promise anything, and even sacrifice principles for success. Such a truckling policy soon disgusted the people, and the result was a wonderful reaction in the popular mind, which swept like a mighty wave over the land, completely disintegrating one party and almost annihilating the other. This political reformation rapidly accomplished its work and then ceased, leaving the country purer and stronger than ever. But it is evident that we are approaching another crisis, which will again require the united efforts of all patriots of every party and sect. Unimportant political issues will be abandoned, and good men, forgetful of past differences, will combine against the enemies of our institutions.

Never in the history of the nation has there been such a violent crusade against the Christian Sabbath as at the present time. At a large mass-meeting of Germans and others, recently held in Baltimore, resolutions were adopted, protesting against the Sunday laws of Maryland, and requesting the Legislature to modify or repeal them, so as to allow every place of amusement to be opened after one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, including inns, restaurants, concert-gardens, and saloons, cigar and confectionery stores, mineral-water stands, theaters, and the like.

This same foreign element is arraying itself against the temperance cause. Several States have recently enacted stringent but just laws, which make liquor-sellers responsible for damages resulting from their traffic. This wholesome legislation has aroused our “foreign brethren,” and in their mass-meetings and State conventions, they threaten to defeat any political party that favors the enforcement of these laws. Some of our timid, unprincipled politicians may be intimidated, but the moral, law-abiding citizens are combining to defend the right, and prevent the institutions of Continental Europe from being established in America.

It is evident, then, that the “coming” party will be one of moral as well as of civil reform, and, of course, will encounter the opposition of our professional party leaders. We shall find a powerful enemy. Romanism is a political organization with ecclesiastical forms, and as such is the best disciplined force in the land. They are confident of success. Father Hecker says: “If our membership shall increase for the next thirty years as it has for the thirty years past, in 1900, Rome will have a majority, and be bound to take this country and keep it.”

The present effort of the Romish Church to control the colored people of the South is too apparent to be misunderstood. Why this sudden zeal for the conversion of this class? The Romanists favored slavery and opposed the enfranchisement of the slaves when emancipated. But now that they are voters, the priests regard them as “men and brethren.” This movement is a political one to secure the colored vote. Let us defeat it by educating the freedmen, and thus counteract the efforts of Rome to overthrow our liberties, civil and religious.—H. H. FAIRALL, A. M., in Methodist.