"Religion without Restriction": Anti-Catholicism, All Mexico, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Abstract

On May 23, 1847, over 5,000 people gathered the Kensington district of Philadelphia to lay the cornerstone for the new St. Augustine Church. new building sat atop the ashy remains of the old one a nativist mob, incited by leaders of the Native American Party and some local evangelical Protestant clergymen, had burned three years earlier. Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick, accompanied by a large number of priests, presided over the celebration. In the middle of a keynote speech dealing mostly with the new church and what it would offer to its parishioners, the Rev. Dr. James Ryder of Holy Cross College took a moment to address the nativist accusation that no would bear arms against a nation or support a war against a country. The contrary, proclaimed Ryder, now fully established. He pointed to the many faithful in the field of operations the war against Mexico. What Ryder did not know was that, a few short months, an entire battalion of mostly American deserters would be captured near Mexico City. reaction to the capture of these men, known as the San Patricios, would demonstrate the issue of loyalty during the U. S.-Mexican War had not fact died out by the middle of 1847. Moreover, the same anti-Catholic sentiment had led to the attack on St. Augustine Church 1814 and the questioning of loyalty persisted throughout the war.1The New York Herald remarked on alleged religious affinity with the enemy at the very beginning of the war May 1846:The secret of the desertions from General Taylor we believe is this: A large proportion of the rank and file are Dutch and Irish Catholics. river opposite Matamoras being only three hundred yards wide, the ringing of the bell for matins, vespers, mass, the elevation of the host, c and the next consequence was desertion.2Some accused an Irish priest residing Mexico of inflaming religious tensions among American troops order to induce desertion by soldiers. But an American correspondent Mexico for the Journal of Commerce blamed the desertion of Romish soldiers on the influence of Mexican priests. Nativists commonly viewed the Roman Church as monolithic, and the fact priests Mexico encouraged American to give up arms led many anti-Catholic Americans to believe priests the United States must be doing the same.3Mexican generals and government officials distributed many broadsides throughout the war, offering land and money to American deserters. Oftentimes, Mexican propaganda referred explicitly to religion when addressing German- and Irish-Americans. One broadside particular caught the attention of the American press, because it appeared soon after the capture of the San Patricios. Addressed by Santa Anna to Catholic Irishmen, it appealed to them to Come over to us; you will be received under the laws of truly Christian hospitality and good faith which Irish guests are entitled to expect and obtain from a nation. Santa Anna then asked, Is religion no longer the strongest of all human bonds? Aware of nativist riots and church burnings the United States, he pointedly demanded: What! Can you fight by the side of those who put fire to your temples Boston and Philadelphia? ... Are Irishmen to be the destroyers of temples, murderers of priests, and the founders of heretical rites this pious nation?4In 1847 the vast majority of believed the San Patricios were almost entirely Irish-Catholic, and it is easy to see why. …