The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-10-27

kOLITTCs AND RELIGION-sECTARI-
An ARrEALs or THE WINGS.
During The present presidential can
vass. for the frst&lme in the history ofthe
country snaiters Of religious faith have
been introduced into The strifes Of political
parties. This association Of things so es-
ssnsially conflicting and antagonlstic a.
are politics and religion has bsen Uniform
u deprecated BY al who entertain a ratio
nal regard for the welfare Of the State and
the purity or the Church. These dislinc,
and independent interests have never yet
elashsd without suffering a reciprocal in
jury from the collision;nor has their friend.
y embrace and alliance been less a source
of mutual damage. The history Of party
stsifs in unhappy Ireland affords ali in.
stance Of the bitterness and yirulsnce i'm
parted 10 political contests by sec,arian
bigotryy. The patriot and tho Christian
will therefore, deplors with equal sincere
" the Introduction ofecclesiastical creeds
in the present political canvass. In coun-
triss where Church and State are fettered
together in unnatural alliance there may be
some necessity for regarding religion a. a
subject Of political concern; but in this for
tnnats land each moves in its distinct and
appropriate orbit, and he is a friend to
neither who would forParty purposes dis.
turb their relations. We Eoresee nothing
but disaster to the interests Of religion and
the welfare Of the country from the attempt
Of the wing party 70 promote the election
o thsir candidate by appealing to the pre-.
jndioss Of rival denominations Of Chris.
tians. i was bad enough to sndsavor by
dsmagoguical appeals to the Irish and the
Germans to inflams the passions Of rival
races; but to tempt religion with the prize
ofpolitical power-to enlist the Church in
the angry struggles Of parties-is ruthless
Ito peril its purity and the welfare Of the
country for the paltry purpose Of serving
some selfish scheme Of ambition.
The problem Unpopular seltgovernment
is,not the only problsm respecting the in
tsrssts Of mankind which the history Of
this countryis working out. The high and
important question Of religious independ-
nce and equality-of the dissertation of
Church from State. and ofthe perfect free
dom oil worship-is involved in our expe-
rimsnt Of government. What severity Of
condemnation do not those base tools Of
party deserve who, in striving 10 array
sect against sect. church against church.
and to drag religion down to the arena Of
politics. wantonly hazard the success OF a
venture in which humanity is so deeplyin.
terssted?
We make no charge Against the whig
party which facts do not sustain. Scarce
y, had the nomination Of Franklin Pierce
bsen announced when he was assaulted by
the wing press on a groundless charge of
hostility to the Catholic church. The
charge was met, and triumphantly rspelled;
yst the wing press persists in the systema.
tic effort TO rou tho prejudices Of the
Catholics against the democratic candi.
date. BY the vilest calumnies and the ba.
ssst appeals-by perjured testimony and
forged cer~tiic ates-by the ~harangues of
Slievsgammon Robinson and philosopher
Greeley-the Catholics Of our country are
invoked to bring their religion to the sus-
poAso' tt0 wig Ssiuihnte. huu WHO hTC
these men who are making q political spec.
ulatlon Of religion, and trading upon the
prejudices Of sect? Men who regard every
religion and all sec,s with tho same con.
tempt-the socialist philosopher. and i'm.
pious inidels, and higher-law disciples of
the Tribune ooterie-msn who deem igno.
rance the mother Of devotion, and the god.
dess Of Reason the only deily worthy of
homage. These are the men who have
sought for party purposes to drag religion
into the arena Of political controversy.
Such arts Of electionesring-such a pros.
%titution ofthe holy name Of religion by such
moral outlaws-should be rebuked and
avenged by the unmistakable and emphatic
condemnation of the country. Intelligent
and virtuous people should Indignantly
frown down this attempt to infame the
sectarian preiudices Of the country, and
To- make Of religion a political machine for
subscribing party purposes; otherwise its
purity will be corrupted, and its benefcent
influences be destroyed Union.
THESUBLIME OFTHE UTILITARIAN