The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

was that of rejecting with shrinking horror the
doctrines and practises of the Roman Catholic
Church, whose clergy was regarded with loathing
and contempt. “Viler than a priest,“ and “I would
as soon be a priest,” became proverbial
expressions. “The papacy had lost all authority
with all classes, from the great feudal princes down
to the cultivators of the soil.” How beautiful their
land, how elegant their manners, how advanced,
for that barbarous age, their scientific research,
how cruel their extermination, the pen of Lord
Macaulay has perfectly delineated!
In the year 1480, during the reign of Ferdinand
and Isabella, the holy office was established in
Spain. It was inaugurated for the benefit of the
Jews, not primarily because they were heretics, but
because they were wealthy, and Rome and Spain
needed money. This is a serious charge, but
nevertheless a true one, and one which can be
easily and clearly sustained.
These unfortunate members of the race of Israel
were not only wealthy, but they had gradually risen
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