WRITINCS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
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with the assurance that if Catholics had the power they would not grant them liberty of conscience. Look at the South Ameri- can republics; review them by name; look at Mexico, our neighbor. The Mexicans have expelled despotism, why are they not free? Because priestcraft rules, and civil liberty is subordinate. There is no freedom where the Catholic church predominates. Do even the Catholics in our own country enjoy the fullest liberty? Our country has been an asylum and a home for millions; but how is it with our countrymen, protestants; when they go to Catholic countries? If they die there, they are denied christian burial, or even a place for their remains in Catholic burying grounds. They are cast into the "potter's field" to become food for raven- ous animals, yes, no place can be claimed for those who seek the protection of our flag in a Catholic grave yard. Then talk to Americans about proscription, when protestant Americans are not only proscribed but also hated by Catholics with a hatred that pursues them beyond the graves. But it is idle to prate about subjects of this kind. True democracy will triumph over America; you will be able to meet and triumph over the united forces of the bombshell democracy; be faithful to the cause that you have espoused and to the principles of truth. Every thing must pass through the crucible, and the man who is known to be true to his party, who is ever ready to vindicate his cause in the hour of danger will triumph. Let us stand firm in the ranks, true to the principles -of the· Union. Let us look discerningly into the vista of coming years and contemplate the future condition of our glorious coun- ·try, made strong and powerful by the united influence of our intelligence, patriotism and loyalty to our free institutions. It is not for us alone to enjoy the glorious privileges sacredly com- mitted to us by our fathers, but it is for our children to share this rich inheritance; for soon we shall have to yield to the de- crees of nature that await all the living. But there is a lingering hope that departed spirits will be permitted to revisit the earth and mingle with those they cherished and loved. I hope that they may be blessed; and that we, while on earth may so pre- serve our free institutions with our hearts and our hands, that we shall transmit to our children the rich inheritance, derived from our ancestors, with such purity and faithfulness as to bring up perpetual acclamation from their lips. My fellow-countrymen, I thank you for the cordial manner in which you have received me today. I shall ever cherish it with
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