The Priest Writes Back: A Territorial Feud Over 'Romanism'
A Methodist minister's warning in Olympia draws a sharp reply from the Catholic missionary he accused.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Vancouver, W.T., Aug. 9, 1853.
Mr. J. F. DeVore:
Sir: In the Puget Christian Advocate of July 30th there was a letter written by you containing the following language:
"Romanism, in the person of Rossi (an Italian who has charge of a mission in this country), is assuming a fearful appearance in this Territory. A few days since he approached me in this place (Olympia) and requested me to have a certain Methodist preacher come to visit his flock. I said to him, this is a free country, and the said preacher shall go where he pleases. He then replied that he would expose him publicly. The following Sabbath he denounced our clergy as being illiterate and unworthy of heaven's smiles. We are thankful that the Pope does not reign in this country, and that there is no inquisition here; and we are truly glad to be blessed with a Luther, a Wesley, and the holy men of old."
Though I hope our sensible public will judge the foregoing according to its value, as both you and I are well known on the Sound, and especially in Olympia, I will write this to enlighten those who do not know me and are bewildered by you. You say that in my person I assume a fearful appearance in this Territory. You must think you are very timid, or very weak; for the presence of a Catholic priest alone makes you tremble and apprehend a check, perhaps, to your self-exalted exploits. What is that which you are so much frightened at? You know I have not a Tract Society to propagate, nor hymn book to disseminate. You well know that I do not go round to proselytize, my principles needing no trouble, though I know they are misunderstood.
“The presence of a Catholic priest alone makes you tremble and apprehend a check, perhaps, to your self-exalted exploits.”
The 1853 exchange is an early Puget Sound example of religious difference turning into public accusation. It also shows a Catholic missionary defending his place in a territory being built by people of many faiths—and reminds us that tolerance is often argued for in print.
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